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| Traditional Karate Institute is a proud member of the Japan Karate Association (JKA) of America, the American Amateur Karate Federation (AAKF), Western Region, and the International Traditional Karate Federation (ITKF) |
| TRADITIONAL KARATE INSTITUTE AAKF Club Member We are dedicated to the practice and teaching of Nishiyama's Traditional Karate. |
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TRADITIONAL KARATE
History and Definition
Although today there are many different Karate sports, originally there was only one. The first
or Traditional Karate (Karate-Do) was the original Karate from which these later sports
borrowed the name “Karate”, as it is commonly and widely used today.
Karate has its roots in “Tode” – a weaponless self-defense system developed in Okinawa,
influenced by Chinese martial arts with more than two thousand years of history. In mainland
Japan, it was established as a part of “Budo” (Japanese martial arts) system; “Traditional
Karate” therefore is a general term for Karate that follows
Budo principles.
After World War II, Karate’s value for self defense, physical fitness, competition, and overall
mental and physical development came to be increasingly recognized. However, as a martial
art, it necessitated long and repeated careful study. Because the practice of Karate soon
came to approach the semblance of a “boom” in popularity, the
requirements of long and repeated careful study came to be overridden by the demands of
today’s world for more rapid results and quicker development. The result was the emergence
of many new sports using the name of Karate. To avoid confusion with these new sports, the
public began distinguishing the original Karate as “Traditional Karate”.
The international governing body of Traditional Karate is the International Traditional Karate
Federation (ITKF), which is composed of Traditional Karate national federation from each
member country. Each member national federation is the governing body for Traditional
Karate in its respective country. Worldwide, members of ITKF practice many
different “styles” of Karate (such as Shotokan, Goju-ryu, etc.). These “styles” are comparable
to schools or academies and have their own unique training systems developed by Karate
masters over many centuries. However, even under the same style, groups affiliated with ITKF
pursue Budo Karate while others not belonging to ITKF practice so called “karate sports”
which are merely punching / kicking games with no Budo principles.
Objectives and Values
The purpose of Traditional Karate is to develop well-balanced mind and body, through training
in fighting techniques. Traditional Karate also shares the ultimate aim with Budo, which is to
cultivate great human character of a higher class that prevents any violent attack before an
actual fight occurs.
Budo originates in the practice of physical fighting; however, it has a significant effect on the
spiritual and physical development of a human since Budo philosophy and ethics are absolute
requirements for the study of techniques and improvement of skills. Elements such as
manners and etiquette were not adapted from outside elements nor are they independent
from the physical training, but existed within the system since the origin of Budo and were
integrated to the technical improvement.
Seriousness:
Budo training must be done in a serious manner, because its techniques are derived from
severe life-or-death situations, where one must win the fight in order to survive. This is why
Budo practitioners are required to have a serious mind set. Only in such a condition can one
possibly achieve extreme levels of mind and body far beyond ordinary levels. This is apparent
in competitions. For example, a Kumite (sparring) match is carried out in Ippon-shobu (one
perfect “finishing blow” determines the winner) format. Because only one definitive technique
can conclude a match, competitors are driven to learn the importance of serious attitude.
Humility:
To achieve a higher level, Budo requires a practitioner to keep a humble mind and behavior.
This allows one to always learn something from anyone. Once one thinks that he or she is
better than others, the possibility of improvement ceases. This is the basis of the high
importance of respecting instructors as well as training partners in Budo.
Calmness & Discipline:
As already mentioned, the original Budo techniques were designed for the critical situation
where one may or may not survive. Under such a condition, it is difficult for anybody to keep a
calm mind; the ability of clear judgment or physical reflex slows down, and often one may find
himself immobilized due to nervousness. Therefore keeping a calm mind is a crucial concern
in Budo practice, and this is why a training session begins and ends with a period of
meditation. In addition, Budo’s rigorous and disciplined training makes a practitioner
confident about his techniques and gain
mental stability. According to the recent research by sports psychologists, this method is
recognized as most effective in avoiding mental fluctuation.
Skillfulness:
In Budo, the proper technique and power are generated by skill, rather than relying only on
muscular strength. Techniques are delivered from the center of the body so that it can utilize a
quick and efficient reflex of the entire body. In the same way, Traditional Karate requires an
integrated physical action controlled by the center of the body, starting from the feet on the
floor. Proper training develops a body with each part moving in proper sequence without
unnecessary moves, and as a result, allows one to build a well-balanced body.
Acknowledging the above described values, it is easy to see why such physical and
mental training became the basis for the concept of Budo and Traditional Karate
demanding unlimited seeking of total human development.
Competition
“A Karate contest conducted under the rules of the ITKF must conform to the definition of
Karate. All rules enacted by the ITKF must always be considered from the standpoint of
helping and motivating the participant toward the perfection of human character through
unlimited physical and mental seeking.”
ITKF Constitution
Article 1, Section 1.3
History and Definition
Although today there are many different Karate sports, originally there was only one. The first
or Traditional Karate (Karate-Do) was the original Karate from which these later sports
borrowed the name “Karate”, as it is commonly and widely used today.
Karate has its roots in “Tode” – a weaponless self-defense system developed in Okinawa,
influenced by Chinese martial arts with more than two thousand years of history. In mainland
Japan, it was established as a part of “Budo” (Japanese martial arts) system; “Traditional
Karate” therefore is a general term for Karate that follows
Budo principles.
After World War II, Karate’s value for self defense, physical fitness, competition, and overall
mental and physical development came to be increasingly recognized. However, as a martial
art, it necessitated long and repeated careful study. Because the practice of Karate soon
came to approach the semblance of a “boom” in popularity, the
requirements of long and repeated careful study came to be overridden by the demands of
today’s world for more rapid results and quicker development. The result was the emergence
of many new sports using the name of Karate. To avoid confusion with these new sports, the
public began distinguishing the original Karate as “Traditional Karate”.
The international governing body of Traditional Karate is the International Traditional Karate
Federation (ITKF), which is composed of Traditional Karate national federation from each
member country. Each member national federation is the governing body for Traditional
Karate in its respective country. Worldwide, members of ITKF practice many
different “styles” of Karate (such as Shotokan, Goju-ryu, etc.). These “styles” are comparable
to schools or academies and have their own unique training systems developed by Karate
masters over many centuries. However, even under the same style, groups affiliated with ITKF
pursue Budo Karate while others not belonging to ITKF practice so called “karate sports”
which are merely punching / kicking games with no Budo principles.
Objectives and Values
The purpose of Traditional Karate is to develop well-balanced mind and body, through training
in fighting techniques. Traditional Karate also shares the ultimate aim with Budo, which is to
cultivate great human character of a higher class that prevents any violent attack before an
actual fight occurs.
Budo originates in the practice of physical fighting; however, it has a significant effect on the
spiritual and physical development of a human since Budo philosophy and ethics are absolute
requirements for the study of techniques and improvement of skills. Elements such as
manners and etiquette were not adapted from outside elements nor are they independent
from the physical training, but existed within the system since the origin of Budo and were
integrated to the technical improvement.
Seriousness:
Budo training must be done in a serious manner, because its techniques are derived from
severe life-or-death situations, where one must win the fight in order to survive. This is why
Budo practitioners are required to have a serious mind set. Only in such a condition can one
possibly achieve extreme levels of mind and body far beyond ordinary levels. This is apparent
in competitions. For example, a Kumite (sparring) match is carried out in Ippon-shobu (one
perfect “finishing blow” determines the winner) format. Because only one definitive technique
can conclude a match, competitors are driven to learn the importance of serious attitude.
Humility:
To achieve a higher level, Budo requires a practitioner to keep a humble mind and behavior.
This allows one to always learn something from anyone. Once one thinks that he or she is
better than others, the possibility of improvement ceases. This is the basis of the high
importance of respecting instructors as well as training partners in Budo.
Calmness & Discipline:
As already mentioned, the original Budo techniques were designed for the critical situation
where one may or may not survive. Under such a condition, it is difficult for anybody to keep a
calm mind; the ability of clear judgment or physical reflex slows down, and often one may find
himself immobilized due to nervousness. Therefore keeping a calm mind is a crucial concern
in Budo practice, and this is why a training session begins and ends with a period of
meditation. In addition, Budo’s rigorous and disciplined training makes a practitioner
confident about his techniques and gain
mental stability. According to the recent research by sports psychologists, this method is
recognized as most effective in avoiding mental fluctuation.
Skillfulness:
In Budo, the proper technique and power are generated by skill, rather than relying only on
muscular strength. Techniques are delivered from the center of the body so that it can utilize a
quick and efficient reflex of the entire body. In the same way, Traditional Karate requires an
integrated physical action controlled by the center of the body, starting from the feet on the
floor. Proper training develops a body with each part moving in proper sequence without
unnecessary moves, and as a result, allows one to build a well-balanced body.
Acknowledging the above described values, it is easy to see why such physical and
mental training became the basis for the concept of Budo and Traditional Karate
demanding unlimited seeking of total human development.
Competition
“A Karate contest conducted under the rules of the ITKF must conform to the definition of
Karate. All rules enacted by the ITKF must always be considered from the standpoint of
helping and motivating the participant toward the perfection of human character through
unlimited physical and mental seeking.”
ITKF Constitution
Article 1, Section 1.3