can help to make a student’s practice more meaningful.
Since the formalities and etiquette of karate have been largely forgotten in current practice, I have chosen to emphasize these in this book. Formality and ritual courtesy are not important in and of themselves. Rather, through repetition and practice, they help to cultivate a sense of self-awareness and a sensitivity to the feelings of others. These are the marks of a truly civilized person, a true karate-ka.
The technical chapters of the book explain in detail the basic physical aspects of karate: warming up, stretching, diet, training principles, stances, basic blocks, kicks and punches. The chapter on kata and weapons practice include material for advanced students. Whatever style of martial art you the reader, may study, I hope that this instructional material will help to refine and improve your physical practice.
The way of karate must be experienced by each individual in his or her own unique way. In this I have used the photos along with the text to convey a feeling for karate-do in the setting of daily life. Karate-do is not a sport. There is no competition with others. The real competition is with the self.
Karate-do, like life, which it mirrors, is a struggle: a struggle with our own weakness, with our egos and our selfishness, with our narrow-mindedness and prejudices. Growth in the way of karate come through unceasing, repetitive daily practice of the basics. This is called ren ma (constant polishing). Modern society frowns on repetition as being stifling and boring. The discipline of single-minded repetition is at the heart of karate-do. Through it, we can quiet the inner dialogue between the ego and the intellect, and we can find true freedom. There are no shortcuts to anything of lasting value. Karate-do aims at the highest perfection of the individual in the physical, spiritual and mental dimensions.
The last chapter contains a selection of short lectures that I have delivered to my students on a weekly basis over the years. The lectures deal with the simple, basic truths that form the moral foundation of true karate-do. This moral and ethical foundation is also something that has been ignored. A true karate-ka is a person who takes his or her training in the dojo and applies it in the outside world, using the highest moral standards. Thus the karate-ka strives to be the best student, worker, husband, wife, parent or child possible. I offer these lectures to you, the reader, in the sincere hope that you may find some value in them.
I formed the World Seido Karate Organization in 1976 because I felt strongly that if karate was to survive into the twenty-first century, it must first rediscover its fullness and true essence.
In Seido, I emphasize strict discipline, respect and courtesy, and sincere practice, along with hard physical training. While each student trains with a common body of technical material, it is my belief that the individuality and uniqueness of each student must be encouraged and respected. Though individual development is emphasized, in Seido karate I want all students to train with a feeling of “togetherness” rather than isolated individualism. A sense of togetherness and belonging is one of the vitally important things missing in angst-ridden, modern society. I value togetherness very highly, and I hope that the pictures convey this feeling to you.
I hope that you will enjoy reading, studying and looking through this book. I offer it to all readers with gratitude for my experience in karate-do and for the opportunity to share what I have learned with you.
KARATE WAY OF LIFE
Opening a class in the dojo.
Seido students training at zendo.
At the Seido dojo, students come together to train the body and the mind. The atmosphere is formal and respectful at all times, which requires concentration and discipline. The physical training is hard, but closely supervised. At every class, the idea is to give one’s absolute best physical and mental effort. Little by little, the student inexorably improves and can then unlock his or her true potential.
At the zendo, Seido students come together to do one thing with total concentration: that is, to sit. Again, the atmosphere is serious and purposeful. Physically, the student must master a strong seated posture and the proper breathing. At the zendo, as at the dojo, the purpose of training is to go deep inside the self and to unlock one’s higher nature.
Karate is a martial art, with its own unique history, philosophy and set of techniques. Karate can be practiced in the dojo, or, as the photos demonstrate, in the outdoors. It can be practiced in the hot sun or in the deep snow. Each season gives its own flavor to karate training, and each season imposes its own challenges to our physical and mental abilities.
Karate is also a way of life, a way of being. A karate-ka deals fully with the present moment, being totally absorbed in one action only. A true karate-ka seeks balance and harmony in his or her life; the karate-ka develops a strong body and spirit so as to better serve others.
The principles and values of karate, such as patience, concentration, respect and courtesy, are completely transferable and universally applicable to our daily affairs in business and at home.
Sei has several meanings. It can mean “calm” or “silent.” Modern life emphasizes endless activity. The constant pressure to be “doing something” creates fatigue and stress. Calm, silent periods of “active inactivity” help to create a harmony in our lives. Meditation puts our activity into proper perspective and helps us to make it more enriched.
Although do can mean “way,” it also conveys the idea of activity and energy. Karate practice is full of energetic, active movement. So, too, are our daily lives. Calm periods of meditation help to make our activity more focused and more meaningful. Calmness and energetic activity must be balanced and in harmony. To emphasize either one or the other is not correct. In Seido we strive to find the right individual balance.
Karate can be practiced in the outdoors, with nature. Meditation in a calm forest (left), and basic practice (above).
Beginner’s Mind
“In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities. In the expert’s mind, there are very few.”
Shunryo Suzuki
Sho Shin, or beginner’s mind, is something which is a key to karate and, indeed, to living. A beginner’s mind, like that of a child, is open and trusting. Knowledge can be fully absorbed into the consciousness and becomes part of our own understanding. When we gain a little knowledge about someone or something, then the mind puts up barriers; it forms opinions, preconceptions, and judgments, which inhibit true knowledge.
In Seido karate, we wear plain white cotton uniforms, with no personal decoration or adornment of any kind. White is symbolic of the beginner’s mind. It is pure, simple, and empty. It reminds us to always be ready to discover and to learn.
The
