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Karate in America
Posted Date: 16 Mar 2008 Resource Type: Articles/Knowledge Sharing Category: General
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Posted By: Vladlena Nyzhnik Member Level: Silver
Rating:  Points: 4
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Karate developed in China, Okinawa, Japan, Korea, and was known by different names, though the techniques are essentially the same. Whether it is called Kung Fu, Kenpo, or Shotokan Ryu the basic elements are exactly alike. Various hand blows, foot blows and methods of blocking and countering are no different in one style than another. Nerve centers are nerve centers in all human bodies. The differences in the Karate styles are to be found not in the practical self-defense portion of the work, but in the philosophy and the types of traditional “dances” which each country has developed. That is to say, a hammer blow remains a hammer blow, whether it is practiced as Kung Fu or Kenpo Karate. In the dances the blows also remain the same; it is how they are combined which makes the difference.
For modern street defense it is entirely possible to learn Karate without studying the traditional forms. Many people have learned how to stop a punch with Karate blocking methods and retaliate with Karate hand and foot blows without ever learning a single dance. Before the recent widespread interest in this art, hardly any American student cared to learn the dances. Yet, they found their Karate training very valuable and practical. (The so-called Judo- chop is one of the Karate blows which has been used with spectacular success by movie heroes and villains.)
The rigid forms do have a value for body discipline, exercise and practice of the blows. The student who wishes to learn all parts of the art of Karate should study basic self- defense, the forms and free style exercise.
Knowing only the rigid forms limits the use of Karate for defense. It is a handicap to practice the blows, blocks, and counters always under prearranged conditions. On the street, the opponent does not attack in a predictable fashion.
The essential difference between Karate for sport and Karate for defense is this: in the gym the opponent strives for points; on the street the opponent threatens real danger. No matter how skilled your opponent is, in a sport Karate match he is not your enemy. You are fighting under the eyes of judges and you are fighting under conditions where it is not the object to hurt and harm your opponent. On the street it is very definitely the object to inflict harm and injury and your reactions to these two quite different situations must be built up in training.
To get the most out of Karate, it is best to study all its phases. As was stated before, you can learn to defend yourself very well without knowing any of the rigid forms, but since it is hoped that you are not likely to encounter street fights frequently, the practice of the dances and Karate matches are the methods of keeping up your Karate study for exercise and sport.
The basic techniques of sport Karate are one-man forms, two-man prearranged forms, one point free-style practice, and contest free-style practice. You will note that Japanese terms are used sparingly here. The beginning student is hindered in his learning if he has to learn foreign words as he practices. There is no practical value to the use of Japanese terms and they should be considered optional. Some advanced students may wish to learn the Japanese names of techniques for a more complete study.
Karate is a fascinating, exciting, enjoyable sport as well as a superior and proved method of self- defense. Karate has been presented to us as an Oriental art, complete with Oriental philosophy and altogether unchanged from its Asian forms. This method of presentation is not suited to the popular American needs. As Karate was adapted to the needs of China to suit Chinese attitudes, and in Okinawa to represent the Okinawa needs, so Karate requires adaptation to American attitudes and needs. Remember, the blows, blocks, and nerve centers will remain the same.
What is the basic difference with the old- style method of Karate training? The old- style training is for one type of person only: the extraordinary individual who is prepared both physically and mentally to endure a rigorous, lengthy training. The insistence on this method of training eliminates the people who need Karate most, both for sport and self- defense. It is as though bowling were to be introduced to this country with the stipulation that only those who are prepared to become championship bowlers need bother to learn. We have a great need in this country for the people active sports. It is impossible to popularize a variety of participating sports if we insist that only the champions have a right to play. All of us, the Saturday bowlers and Wednesday night Karate players, as well as the champions, have a perfect right to play to the limit of our ability. We will admire and applaud the champions even more when we have a large rooting section of experienced part-time players, if you participate to some extent; your appreciation of the match is much greater if you have felt with your own body the skill and training required for good play.
The old- style method of Karate training has developed a special group of Karate- trained people, the exceptional. Karate in America should be accessible to everyone.
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