part0020

One of the oldest karate organizations, Japan Karate Association (JKA), was established in 1949 under the guidance of Funakoshi Gichin, and some of most senior students, Obata Isao, Nakayama Masatoshi, and Nishiyama Hidetaka. Funakoshi was never a proponent for competition, especially in regard to kumite, deemed to be dangerous and not in line with the budo ( 武道 ) ideals of learning karate for self-defense and improving the individual’s character. However, many of the senior members of the JKA, Nakayama, Nishiyama, and Okazaki, forged ahead and formulated rules to guide competition along the lines of traditional budo ( 武道 ) . The first official All Japan Karate-do competition was not held until after Funakoshi’s death in 1957.

In keeping with Funakoshi’s ideal of karate training, “perfection of character,” karate competition itself was to instill a better person through the idea of shi-ai. The idea was to showcase some of the best karate-ka matching their skills against each other in a competitive forum. Tournament competition was viewed as an extension of dojo training as a way of evaluating one’s technical skills against others. It also extends the proper etiquette and courtesy towards other karate-ka and sensei in an environment outside the dojo. Win or lose, the karate-ka takes with them the understanding of learning from the experience and humbling oneself to the opponent for the opportunity. These are the budo ( 武道 ) concepts of shi-ai( 試合 ) that forge the karate-ka as a competitor into a person of integrity.

Karate-do competition initially consisted of only kata and kumite from which other similar events were spawned such as, team kata, team kumite, and embu( 演武 ) . The basis of karate-do training is kata, since they were the encoded teaching methods that were handed down from the ancient masters. Kata competition, while mostly based on the individual’s performance of the sequence of techniques, is judged based on how well the performer has mastered the details of movements and the execution of the techniques. As each kata has a certain ebb and flow, the karate-ka must perform the movements with rhythm and tempo as if he or she was applying the techniques against opponents from various direction. Some parts of the kata are performed slow, some are quick, and other parts are powerful. The intent of each movement is expressed by the state of zanshin ( 残心 ) throughout the performance of the kata.

Kumite competition is based on the concept of “ikken hisatsu ,” ( 一拳必殺 ) meaning “one strike, one kill.” Adopted from kendo ( 剣道 ) with the mindset of using a samurai sword, the intention of a strike is to finish the opponent with a single blow. “Ikken hisatsu ” ( 一拳必殺 ) concept should not be foreign to Western sports. When bowling the aim is to get a strike with one row of the ball. Strategies aside, in baseball the goal is to get a home run when at bat, and a serve in tennis is so the opposition will not be able to return the ball. This philosophical ideal is sometimes taken literally by some karate-ka to mean they actually have the potential to kill with one blow. While the possibility of achieving such a feat may exists, the odds are highly unlikely with the use of bare hands and feet. But the intention of “ikken hisatsu ” ( 一拳必殺 ) for the karate-ka stems from kata, where the potential exists for multiple attacks from different directions. Thus, the elimination of each opponent must be swift and accomplished by applying a single blow. The concept of “ikken hisatsu ” ( 一拳必殺 ) is extended to mean, “finishing blow technique,” or “todo-me waza ( 止め技 ) .” In this context, during kumite competition, the karate-ka’s “todo-me waza ( 止め技 ) must be executed with the four elements in place: proper technique, delivered to proper target, good timing, and proper distance. Technique must be delivered with sufficient power to the proper target, mainly face or midsection area, and executed when the opponent is vulnerable (timing). Since karate-do kumite competition at its inception did not use protective equipment, the techniques must be delivered without causing serious harm to the opponent, which meant they were to be controlled to within two centimeters from the target and not to penetrate beyond the epidermis level. There is no weight division among the competitors since the concept of budo ( 武道 ) and the very nature of self-defense is not predicated on parity.

Team kata and team kumite were introduced later when the expansion of competition included regions, states, and countries competing against each other. Team kata consisted of 3 members performing the same kata in synchronized execution of the techniques. Team kumite involved 3 to 5 members competing in the same format as individual kumite, with the accumulated points determining the winner.

Embu( 演武 ) is a choreographed pre-arranged sparring between two member athletes. The concept of embu ( 演武 ) training dates back to the method used in Shaolin kung fu( 少林功夫 ) . The fighting sequences are choreographed such that each member knows where the next attack will be and what counter measure is to be taken. This form of training was lost during the period of Chinese Communist reign, but re-instituted after the Cultural Revolution as Chinese Wu Shu (martial art), propagandizing restoration of culture and health in China. In Wu Shu, the two-person training included the use of various weapons such as swords and spears.

Embu ( 演武 ) training is rarely used by the majority of traditional karate-do systems. The main proponent incorporating embu ( 演武 ) into their training today is Shorinji Kempo ( 少林寺拳法 ) . Nishiyama Hidetaka Sensei revived embu ( 演武 ) training for the International Traditional Karate Federation in the late 1980s, as a way to re-institute the budo ( 武道 ) elements of engagement. Unlike regular kumite, where the elements of free sparring for sports exists, embu ( 演武 ) demonstrates the true essence of the samurai’s intentions of “ikken hisatsu ( 一拳必殺 ) .” Every strike, punch, or kick is treated as a potential “todo-me waza ( 止め技 ) .” While the karate-ka may not be able to kill with one blow, the philosophical intention of “ikken hitatsu ( 一拳必殺) ” is to give it “your best effort” with each technique.

Karate-ka who have labeled embu ( 演武 ) as “fake kumite” fail to comprehend the budo ( 武道 ) aspect of karate-do training. The basis of karate-do training emanated from kata. The original intent of kata training was two-person sparring. But as karate training was shrouded in secrecy, kata training became more of an individual’s training method.

The budo ( 武道 ) aspect of competition is about continuing to learn and improve rather than thinking about winning or losing. But in any competitive arena, there will always be a declaration of first, second, and third place winners with the majority of competitors in the no-win column. In the sports world, athletes are reminded to observe good sportsmanship in victory or defeat. In the world of karate-do competition, discipline must be maintained such that the budo ( 武道 ) aspect is observed amongst each other. Most would view the outcome of competition to be purely about matching the superior skills amongst the athletes. But the physical skills are just one aspect of competition. In terms of budo ( 武道 ) , the true measure of winners and losers is their behavior after competition. Does the winner boast of their temporary reward, or remain humble and gracious for the opportunity to learn from a worthy opponent? Those who have lost, do they make excuses or blame others for the undesired outcome, or learn from defeat to strive for improvement and perhaps become a winner someday? Ultimately the measure of defeat or victory lies within yourself. While competition provides the arena for testing one’s skill against another, the skill to defeat another opponent does not define one’s true character, but the ability to conduct oneself properly after victory or defeat defines a person with true understanding of the budo ( 武道 ) spirit.

Losing is never a good feeling and no one wants to lose. The unpleasant feeling is compounded when the competitor compares the result of his or her performance to another competitor. An individual’s performance should only be compared to oneself. In this way the individual’s incremental improvement becomes a win. With only the top three being recognized as winners in most competitive events, it can be disheartening for others to feel as if they have lost. But the measurement of one’s own performance with incremental progress gives confidence that the goal of perhaps making it to the top three is achievable. The main purpose for competing is to measure one’s own progress – not about trying to beat another competitor. If progress is made from the last time, it becomes a win regardless of winning any medals or trophies.

The legendary basketball head coach, John Wooden, who coached at the University of California, Los Angeles, for 12 years managed to win 10 national championships. His success was based on his principle of focusing on his own team’s ability rather than worrying about matchup with the opponent. He was also a proponent of working on fundamentals, conditioning, and the skills of his own team.

One of John Wooden’s players who went on to become an NBA star player wrote the following about the legendary coach:

“Coach Wooden never talked about winning and losing, but rather about the effort to win. He rarely talked about basketball, but generally about life. He never talked about strategy, statistics or plays, but rather about people and character. Coach Wooden never tired of telling us that once you become a good person, then you have a chance of becoming a good basketball player.” Bill Walton

In many respects the moral character to be developed through karate-do competition is necessary for how we conduct ourselves in daily life, since the competitive fervor is not restricted only to the sports world. In school, non-sports related competition such as, spelling B, scholastic projects, and other intellectual challenges are prevalent. Competition also exists at a larger scale when attempting to gain acceptance into a major university. In the work environment there is competition for position, contractual bids, or projects among employees. Even social gathering amongst friends engaging in casual competition of games or other skills. When competing in any arena, it is important to compete with fairness and integrity. Unethical means to gain advantage such as, cheating, doping, bribery, etc. is against all moral principles.

It is never easy not winning, especially in today’s competitive world. The difference between sports competition and budo ( 武道 ) competition is the former focuses on winning while the latter is focused on not losing. Not losing to a warrior going into battle meant, ready to die. Of course, modern day competition is not about dying, but the ideal of doing one’s best without thinking about winning. A warrior does not care about achievements, nor does a soldier in war think about becoming a hero. The focus is on doing the best they can without hesitation or fear.