. The Twenty Precepts of Karate
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Before his students established the Japan Karate Association, Master Funakoshi Gichin laid out the Twenty
Precepts of Karate, which form the foundations of the art. Within these twenty principles, based heavily on
Bushido and Zen, lies the philosophy of Shotokan.
1. Never forget: karate begins and ends with respect
2. There is no first attack in karate
3. Karate supports righteousness
4. First understand yourself then understand others
5. The art of developing the mind is more important than the art of applying technique
6. The mind needs to be freed
7. Trouble is born of negligence / ignorance
8. Do not think karate belongs only in the dojo
9. Karate training requires a lifetime
10. Transform everything into karate; therein lies its exquisiteness
11. Karate is like hot water, if you do not give it heat constantly, it will again become cold water
12. Do not think that you have to win, rather think you do not have to lose
13. Transform yourself according to the opponent
14. The outcome of the fight depends on one’s control
15. Imagine one’s arms and legs as swords
16. Once you leave the shelter of home, there are a million enemies
17. Postures are for the beginner, later they are natural positions
18. Perform the kata correctly; the real fight is a different matter
19. Do not forget control of the dynamics of power, the elasticity of the body and the speed of the technique.
20. Apply the way of Karate to all things. Therein lies its beauty.