Karate-Do: My Way of Life – Rules

In his autobiography, “Karate-Do: My Way of Life”, Gichin Funakoshi lists six rules – he actually lists them as 1, 2, 4, 5, & 6 skipping over the number 3. My reading of rule 2, however, reveals a natural division where, in my opinion, rule number three starts - but is simply not labeled. Perhaps it was a printing error, or, perhaps I’m completely wrong.

Nevertheless, I’ll show you what I think is rule number 3. Just understand that the label isn’t in the text.

Rule #1
“You must be deadly serious in training.”
Synopsis: Mentally visualize a realistic opponent and practice as if you’re in combat.

Rule #2.
“Train with both heart and soul without worrying about theory.”
Synopsis: Mastering kata takes a long time and much practice; “a thousand times” as the saying goes.

Rule #3.
True practice is not done with words but with the entire body.”
Synopsis: Training is a physical thing not merely mental. Another phrase commonly heard in American martial arts schools is “muscle memory”. The notion is that when you have repeated a motion enough times (a thousand?) your body “remembers” how to do it; you don’t need to think about it. That is a necessary condition in hand to hand combat because the little time available for thought must be allocated to strategy and tactics – not how to perform a technique.

Rule #4.
“Avoid self-conceit and dogmatism.”
Synopsis: Bragging is a sign of immaturity regardless of skill level. It brings dishonor to the braggart, to his dojo, to his art, and to the entire martial arts community.

Rule #5.
“Try to see yourself as you really are and try to adopt what is meritorious in the work of others.”
Synopsis: Watch other practitioners. Learn from what they do well and from their mistakes.

Rule #6.
“Abide by the rules of ethics in your daily life, weather in public or private.”
Synopsis: Perfecting your martial art is done with the help of others; instructors, fellow students, and eventually the students you teach. We’re all fellow travelers in the martial arts way and we all, regardless of rank or skill, deserve respect.

Master Funakoshi taught these rules and lived by them. He also sometimes fell short. And so, when – not if, but when – you fall short of them too, you can forgive yourself for your failure and recommit to following them – until the next time you fall short. This cycle will repeat for as long as you live. Master Funakoshi’s last example of his own falling short of these ideals occurred when he was 80 years old.

Link to the Special Report: "Karate-Do: My Way of Life - What All Martial Artists Can Learn From Gichin Funakoshi"