Philosophy

Shōtōkan Karate-Dō is based on the philosophy and concepts of Bushido and Zen. These concepts reflect the constant search for physical and mental. The term "Empty Hands"  could even mean emptying the mind of all evil desires and vanities.

There are a set of guidelines which every practitioner should follow both in the dojo (training hall) and in everyday life.

Dojo-Kun

Training hall rules

These are ethical rules recited at the end of each Shōtōkan training session.

一、人格 完成に 努める こと
hitotsu, jinkaku kansei ni tsutomeru koto
Exert yourself in the perfection of character

一、誠の道を守ること
hitotsu, makoto no michi o mamoru koto
Be faithful and sincere

一、努力の精神を養うこと
hitotsu, doryoku no seishin o yashinau koto
Cultivate the spirit of perseverance

一、礼儀を重んずること
hitotsu, reigi o omonzuru koto
Respect propriety

一、血気の勇を戒むること
hitotsu, kekki no yū o imashimuru koto
Refrain from impetuous and violent behaviour

Press Play below to listen Hiroyoshi Okazaki Sensei recite the Dojo-kun in Japanese

Niju Kun

Twenty Precepts of Shōtōkan Karate

They represent the twenty instructions of Gichin Funakoshi.

一、空手道は礼に始まり礼に終る事を忘るな 
Hitotsu, karate-do wa rei ni hajimari rei ni owaru koto o wasaru na
Karate-do begins and ends with bowing.

一、空手に先手なし
Hitotsu, karate ni sente nashi
There is no first strike in karate.

一、空手は義の補け
Hitotsu, karate wa, gi no tasuke
Karate stands on the side of justice.

一、先づ自己を知れ而して他を知れ
Hitotsu, mazu onore o shire, shikashite ta o shire
First know yourself, then know others.

一、技術より心術 
Hitotsu, gijitsu yori shinjitsu
Mentality over technique.

一、心は放たん事を要す
Hitotsu, kokoro wa hanatan koto o yosu
The heart must be set free.

一、禍は懈怠に生ず 
Hitotsu, wazawai wa ketai ni seizu
Calamity springs from carelessness.

一、道場のみの空手と思ふな
Hitotsu, dojo nomino karate to omou na
Karate goes beyond the dojo.

一、空手の修業は一生である
Hitotsu, karate-do no shugyo wa isssho de aru
Karate is a lifelong pursuit.

一、凡ゆるものを空手化せよ其処に妙味あり
Hitotsu, ara yuru mono o karateka seyo; sokoni myomi ari
Apply the way of Karate to all things. Therein lies its beauty.

一、空手は湯の如し絶えず熱度を与えざれば元の水に還る 
Hitotsu, karate Wa Yu No Gotoku Taezu Netsu O Atae Zareba Motono Mizuni Kaeru
Karate is like boiling water; without heat, it returns to its tepid state.

一、勝つ考は持つな負けぬ考は必要 
Hitotsu, katsu kangae wa motsuna; makenu kangae wa hitsuyo
Do not think of winning. Think, rather, of not losing.

一、敵に因って轉化せよ
Hitotsu, tekki ni yotte tenka seyo
Make adjustments according to your opponent.

一、戦は虚実の操縦如何に在り
Hitotsu, tattakai wa kyo-jitsu no soju ikan ni ari
The outcome of a battle depends on how one handles emptiness and fullness (weakness and strength).

一、人の手足を剣と思へ
Hitotsu, hi to no te-ashi wa ken to omoe
Think of hands and feet as swords.

一、男子門を出づれば百万の敵あり
Hitotsu, danshi mon o izureba hyakuman no teki ari
When you step beyond your own gate, you face a million enemies.

一、構は初心者に後は自然体 
Hitotsu, kamae wa shoshinsha ni atowa shizentai
Formal stances are for beginners; later, one stands naturally.

一、形は正しく実戦は別物
Hitotsu, kata wa tadashiku, jisen wa betsumono
Perform prescribed sets of techniques exactly; actual combat is another matter.

一、力の強弱体の伸縮技の緩急を忘るな
Hitotsu, chikara no kyojaku tai no shinshuku waza no kankyu
Do not forget the employment of withdrawal of power, the extension or contraction of the body, the swift or leisurely application of technique.

一、常に思念工夫せよ
Hitotsu, tsune ni shinen ku fu seyo
Be constantly mindful, diligent, and resourceful, in your pursuit of the Way.

Master Gichin Funakoshi