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(preface)
WHAT IS KARATE
Karate is a martial art developed by people who were prohibited the use of weapons. When one is attacked, the empty hands (which the work Karate implies) are quite sufficient to ward off the attacker, if one is highly skilled in the art.
But, to say that Karate is merely an art of empty hand and foot fighting, leaves much to be answered to that frequently asked question, “What is Karate?” The answer might be understood more fully if the question were rephrased to ask, “What is the spirit of Karate?” The answer to this question would be individual development. Karate is, above all things, an art for the individual. If individual development is lost sight of or overlooked in training, the most important aspect of the art is sacrificed. Effective training in Karate allows the individual to achieve the fullest degree of control made possible by harmonious interactions of the mind and body.
The high degree of control which can be attained over oneself is exhibited through master of Kata; through the combination of balance speed and judgment of timing and distance needed to score a point in a Karate match; through the confidence of the well trained Karateka, which allows him not to need to prove himself; and though the ability of the Karateka to endure rigorous training, and if need be, hardships and disappointments both within and outside the dojang. These all illustrate strengths of the individual which are dependent upon control. No one can help a Karateka to score a point at the moment he is competing. No one can make a Karateka walk away from a bully who is insulting him. He must perform these acts himself; and in doing so, he is showing strength as an individual and the beauty of Karate.
Table of Contents
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| Self-Defense Techniques | 13 |
| Stances | 24 |
| Striking Techniques | 33 |
| Defenses | 46 |
| Kicking Techniques | 61 |
| Warm-Up Exercises | 72 |
| One-Step Punching | 78 |
| Attack Technique | 88 |
| Forms | 91 |
| Testing Requirements | 179 |
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