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Gichin Funakoshi

Gichin Funakoshi Books

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“A student well versed in even one technique will naturally see corresponding points in other techniques. A upper level punch, a lower punch, a front punch and a reverse punch are all essentially the same. Looking over thirty-odd kata, he should be able to see that they are essentially variations on just a handful.”

ShouldWellsAbleLevelsFrontsStudentsTechniqueOddThirtyReverseHandfulVariationCorresponding
Book:Karate-dō Nyūmon: The Master Introductory Text
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“Hoping to see karate included in the universal physical education taught in our public schools, I set about revising the kata so as to make them as simple as possible. Times change, the world changes, and obviously the martial arts must change too. The karate that high school students practice today is not the same karate that was practiced even as recently as ten years ago [this book was written in 1956], and it is a long way indeed from the karate I learned when I was a child in Okinawa.”

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Author:Gichin Funakoshi
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“When there are no avenues of escape or one is caught even before any attempt to escape can be made, then for the first time the use of self-defense techniques should be considered. Even at times like these, do not show any intention of attacking, but first let the attacker become careless. At that time attack him concentrating one's whole strength in one blow to a vital point and in the moment of surprise, escape and seek shelter and help.”

ShouldFirstsMadeSelfWholeMomentsHelpingUseShowsFirst TimeIntentionSurpriseCaughtBlowDefenseTechniqueShelterAttackingAvenuesCarelessSelf DefenseConcentratingTimes Like These
Author:Gichin Funakoshi
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“There is no place in contemporary Karate-do for different schools. Some instructors, I know, claim to have invented new and unusual kata, and so they arrogate to themselves the right to be called founders of "schools". Indeed, I have heard myself and my colleagues referred to as the Shoto-kan school, but I strongly object to this attempt at classification. My belief is that all these "schools" should be amalgamated into one so that Karate-do may pursue and orderly and useful progress into man's future.”

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Author:Gichin Funakoshi
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“One whose spirit and mental strength have been strengthened by sparring with a never-say-die attitude should find no challenge too great to handle. One who has undergone long years of physical pain and mental agony to learn one punch, one kick, should be able to face any task, no matter how difficult, and carry it through to the end. A person like this can truly be said to have learned karate.”

ShouldYearsPersonsLongHas BeensSaidEndsMatterAblePainFacesSpiritDiesDifficultChallengesAttitudeTasksHandleKicksAgonyKaratePhysical PainMental StrengthSparring
Book:Karate-dō Nyūmon: The Master Introductory Text
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