Traditional Japanese Karate

Hundreds of years ago Buddhist monks in the remote areas of China set up monastaries and practiced their religion. Despite their remoteness the monks were still susceptible to attack by bandits. Recognizing the need to defend themselves and their lifestyle they studied the movements of various animals, the Tiger, Crane, Monkey, Snake and others, developing systems of fighting based on these movements. With practice these fighting systems evolved to effectively defend the monks against any attackers.

The monks also noticed as they practiced these self defensive arts that their spiritual lifestyles were also enhanced. Being in excellent physical condition created a synergy in which mind, body and spirit harmonized, each aspect of the individual thus became stronger and the whole became greater than the sum of the parts.

Bandits soon became aware that monks were no easy target. They shared this information with others and slowly the word spread throughout the region that monks were to be avoided because they possessed skills in the fighting arts that could effectively counter any attack.

Merchant traders from the various islands belonging to Japan visited China on a regular basis to conduct their business. On occasion they would hear the stories about the monks and their proficiency in the fighting arts. On return to their home base they would in turn tell the stories. The peasant folk of Japan, living under a systems of warlords and samurai, thought that the knowledge possessed by the monks could help them defend themselves.

Some peasants traveled to China, sought out the Buddhist monks at the various monastaries and became students of the martial arts. Returning to their villages they in turn taught others what they had learned. Slowly the peasant population were educated in the martial arts and those that practiced the art constantly became masters of the art.

In the beginning much of the teaching that was carried out was done in secret. As the system of warlords in Japan broke down and the first and second world wars took place, society in Japan changed sufficiently that the martial arts could be taught openly. Practitioners began numbering greater than ever before. Veterans of the wars also took up the study of the fighting arts and brought the knowledge home, thus North America and Europe also saw schools spring up. Ultimately masters from Japan immigrated to many parts of the world and taught their art in their new home land.

The system of Karate do ( Karate do meaning empty hand way ) which I study is called GoJu Ryu ( GoJu Ryu meaning hard and soft style ). This system was developed by a master by the name of Chojun Miyagi, from Naha, on the island of Okinawa. He taught his system of martial arts to Yamaguichi Sensei ( Sensei meaning teacher ) who further developed Miyagi Sensei's style and set up schools throughout Japan. This style is now being taught all over the world.

"The Goju Fist", Emblem of Goju Ryu

In North America the more sensational side of the martial arts is often promoted. Whereas it is true that serious practitioners of the arts can do feats the average person cannot there is a side to the martial arts that is overlooked. This is the side that the monks of old looked to to address their spiritual quest.

Spiritually if there is one thing all human beings have in common it is that we all ask the question, who am I and why am I here? We all find some way of coping with some form of answer to this question that we can live with. To describe our understanding of the answer in words is often very difficult and almost impossible to accurately communicate. Often people say all you can do is experience it for yourself to understand.

The martial arts, when practiced for a prolonged period of time, will often deepen your understanding of the answer to that age old question. It is however also in a way which words cannot completely express. You will however enjoy greater vitality in your life, you will become more relaxed, more self confident, have greater self discipline and be much more focused in whatever you undertake in life. In short you will find life more fulfilling.

There are many schools, called Dojos, throughout the communities of most major cities. A variety of styles are taught. Not all styles suit every person and not all Dojos are equal to other Dojos. If the martial arts interest you I would recommend visiting several Dojos, speak with the Head Instructor and some of the longer term students. See if you can join a class or two as a try out. Get a feel for the environment of each Dojo to see if its for you.

I have been training at the "Canadian Martial Arts Center" in the community of Meadowvale, in Mississauga, Ontario for many years now. The Head Instructor, Wayne Arsenault, is oustanding. He follows the traditions from Japan, stressing courtesy, protocol, etiquette and respect. He skillfully blends philosophy in with his instruction, creating a positive, uplifting environment. New students start at the rank of white belt. From there one progesses to yellow, orange, green, blue and brown belts before being eligible to grade for a black belt. At each level you will be taught "kata" ( forms ) which are a sequence of movements designed by by Karate Masters which are a battle against an imaginary opponent.

At each belt level you will learn several Kata. As you practice your Kata you will become proficient at all the basic, and eventually the more advanced, movements that are the blocks, strikes, kicks and holds that are employed in Karate to effectively defend yourself against any attacker. You will also learn "Kumite" ( sparring ), which is the practical application of the movements learned in Kata. During each class some time will also be spent on "Kihon" ( basics ) in which blocks, kicks, punches, stances and various empty hand techniques are practiced. Also integated in each class is a warmup in which cardiovascular fitness, strength and flexibility are developed.

The program will vary from day to day but the dedicated martial arts practitioner will come to appreciate that Katate is more than just fighting skills. It becomes a way of life. Karate will teach you respect, compassion, gratitude, honor, patience, beauty and integrity. Karate is not about how hard one can strike but how much control one has over oneself. The ultimate aim of Karate is unity of the body and the mind and the spirit!

For more information you can also go to the Classical Martial Arts Canada web site.

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