The literal meaning of the word "karate" is empty hand or open hand. A person extending a hand in a clenched fist signifies violence (or the past or present performance of a violent act). A person extending the same hand, open, signifies a definite sign of friendliness (as in the shaking of hands). If the need arises, the same open hand can become a violent and devastating instrument of self-defense.
Karate originated in India, and was introduced into China 3,000 years ago. Through a period of time, as it was taught to the people, karate spread north, south, east, and west. Techniques depended upon the locality of its study—if the people studying karate were tall, they specialized in leg techniques; if on the other hand they were short, the specialization was in hand techniques. Thus there are many theories as to the correct movements in karate.
The techniques of karate are called kata in Japanese. A kata consists of a number of offensive and defensive techniques with a minimum of twenty movements, with each kata more advanced than the last. Generally these kata are in a form of a style named after the person who perfected them. The thinking of one person created friction among the various karate masters.
In Shoto-Kan Karate these questions or conflicts of thought are eliminated, for the knowledge is not of one individual and one mind. Through the efforts and leadership of Karate Master Funa-koshi Gichin, there is the organization of movements and thoughts of many other karate masters of his time. Mr. Funakoshi spent many years of careful study of these masters' skills in developing Shoto-Kan Karate.
Shoto-Kan Karate involves twenty-nine kata, each of which is more intricate than the last, each involves entirely different and separate movements, and each is more beautiful than the last. Some kata are very strong, very violent, and very powerful, whereas others are very graceful, very smooth, and very beautiful. Each serves its own purpose, each has its own separate merits. The study and perfection of one kata prepares the student for the next, right up the ladder to the rank of black belt and finally to master.
Karate was developed by the masters, through the centuries, by the application of techniques against definite attacks. These attacks were quite frequent and a part of their way of life. Those who survived these attacks did so by the proper application of the techniques they developed. These techniques were retained, for in actual proven use they were definitely effective. Other techniques were discarded, for injuries and sometimes death followed their application. These masters learned the hard, precise way the techniques of karate in order to survive.
The masters perfected karate. What fool is there today who can step forward and perfect perfection?
Dynamic Tension
The power derived in the offensive and defensive movements in karate is accomplished by the dynamic tension (squeezing together as tightly as possible) of the muscles of the entire body at the moment of impact. This must be accomplished in the fastest possible time (split second during an attack). The movements of the body are controlled by the breathing. Any fast movement done by the body can only be performed by a quick exhalation of air from the lungs. In karate this exhalation is brought out very quickly by a loud scream or yell. This serves three purposes:
1. It instantly brings one's ribs closer together, forming a tight protective shield for the internal organs against possible injury.
2. More important, it momentarily numbs the opponent's senses by the surprise of the loud scream or yell.
3. It concentrates all the power of the body to a striking point of not more than four or five inches in radius, whether it be a block, strike, or kick.
When properly applied, dynamic tension involves every muscle of the body. Here one can see the tension carried down to the feet, as the toes literally grip and become a part of the floor.
Warm-up Exercises
I
1. Stand perfectly upright. Place the right arm by the side of the body with the fist clenched, knuckles down, and bring the left arm across in front of the body and place the left hand over the right fist.
2. Tense all the muscles of the body as tightly as possible and simultaneously force the right fist up and the left palm down. Shift arm-and-hand positions and repeat the exercise on the opposite side. Note: The force of one hand is equalized by that of the other. All the muscles work against each other and, over a period of time, the power within the body increases. Simple as the exercise seems, if you stand in front of a mirror while performing it, you will see all the muscles of your body bulge and strain.
II
1. Stand perfectly upright. Place the right arm across the abdomen with the fist clenched, and place the left hand over the right fist.
2. Tense all the muscles of the body as tightly as possible and simultaneously force the right fist and left palm against each other. Shift arm-and-hand positions and repeat the exercise on the opposite side.
III
1. Stand perfectly upright. Bring the right knee up to the chest as high as possible and grasp it with both hands; the left hand overlapping the right. Tense all the muscles of the abdomen and point the toes of the right foot down. Pull the knee in hard against the chest and hold to the count of ten; then relax completely and repeat. Shift leg positions and repeat the exercise with the left.
2. Side view of the position in Fig. 1.
IV
1. Place two chairs shoulder-width apart. Place a hand on the edge of each chair and extend the feet back until the body is in a straight line.
2. Slowly dip between the chairs as far as possible and then push back up to the original position. Note: These push-ups should be done in sets of ten, and, because of the narrow space between the chairs, they will give depth to the chest.
V
1. Place two chairs two shoulder-widths apart. Place a hand on the edge of each chair and extend the feet back until the body is in a straight line.
2. Slowly dip between the chairs as far as possible and then push back up to the original position. Note: Since the chairs are farther apart, the strain will be greater. (Care must be taken to limit these push-ups to one's individual strength.) Although Exercises IV and V appear similar, each affects entirely different muscles. This exercise will develop a very broad chest.
VI
1. Lie on the floor with the backs of both hands under the hips in order to elevate the base of the spine off the floor. Keep the legs perfectly straight and raise the feet about six inches off the floor.
2. Slowly raise the legs as high as possible and then slowly return them to their original position, with the feet about six inches above the floor. Note: These leg-raises should be done twenty times without stopping.
