The Kawanabe
Karate-Do Goals
Current Japanese Budo has become an international sport, but
it is quite diverted from the original and traditional Budo. The
philosophy of Japanese Budo has been a core of the Japanese culture,
and fosters the Japanese spirit.
In this paper, I wish to make some comments on my philosophy
and ideas about Budo. First I would like to comment on the theory
that Japanese Budo is said to have been bestowed to the Emperor
from God, and then to the Generals. This idea clearly shows the
character of the Japanese people and their theory of Budo. My
ideas and philosophy about Budo are based upon this origin and
I would like to explain this further in this paper.
The word “Budo” is composed of two words, “Bu”
and “do”. “Bu” is usually interpreted
as “defense” or “arms”, but in another
respect, the term takes the meaning of “sheathing a pike”,
which implies the calming down of a conflict, peacefully.
Let me refer to the word “do” as a natural course
to follow. In the “Book of Five Rings” by Miyamoto
Mushashi, Mushashi states he is always in “do” or
“michi” and never away from it. This shows how concerned
he was with the state of “do”.
The Buddhist, Saint Dogen, also commented about the state of
“michi”. His words are very complex, but they seem
to imply that once one happens to achieve the state of “michi’,
one should just go along with it and maintain it, remaining in
it.
Here the words “bu” and “do” are combined.
Ideas and philosophy exist in the unseen world, but can’t
be recognized unless they appear in reality. Musashi and Saint
Dogen actually realized their ideas and philosophies.
The follow are some of my training methods which I regard as
most important and substantial; leading to the ideal practice
of “Budo”.
1. The practice of foot work and how to carry the feet smoothly
in accordance with the waist and knee movement in a natural, relaxed
way. Of course, the lower part of the body must harmonize with
the upper body movement.
2. Discipline of respiration (breathing) is very important as
it is so closely related both to spirit and technique. In this
respect, the training method of breathing and meditation is very
helpful as well as desirable and indispensable for one in the
earnest pursuit of Budo.
3. Make a well balanced, stable, yet flexible position with the
waist (like a floating island) so one can make a strong starting
movement, suddenly and smoothly, from a relaxed stationary position.
4. The practice of the “Hachiriki”. In the “Hachiriki”
strength is analyzed into eight factors, showing the ways of striking
in 8 directions. Through this “Hachiriki” practice,
spirit (breath), waist (body) and fist (ken-touching point) can
be matched. In the practice of Budo, these three must be matched
at the same time; first of all and last of all. It is said that
4 pairs of Gods displayed their power for the completion of the
earth in the early days of creation. Human beings are said to
be a miniature of the universe. Following this myth, the practice
of the Hachiriki (8 powers) means to develop the creation inside
of ourselves.
5. The cultivation of the 3 points of the body. This cultivation
is related both to the development of spirit and technique.
Through the discipline of these five stages, you will be able
to implement your breath to the technique. Thus your trained breath
and spirit can be reflected in the technique and you will see
the harmonization between theory and practice.
As described previously, breath (Ki) and spirit are closely
related and so trained breath develops spirit and the spirit makes
a better breath. Both are interrelated to each other.
However strong one may be, if one’s strength is just physical
and separated from true spirit or polished breath, one won’t
reach a desirable state of Budo. In desirable and ideal Budo,
refined spirit with well trained breath must be reflected in the
technique.
I’ve made some references to my ideas on Budo in general
instead of focusing just on Karate-do because in our Budo-Karate
one should be competent in the way of working other defensive
arts with or without weapons. This is quite natural when we think
of the compatibility and common base among the traditional Budo.
This is a peculiarly different point between traditional Budo
and so called modern Budo.
In a nutshell, my Budo is the extension of our life, enlightenment
of our daily lives and the fulfillment of our mission in life.
Going back to the first part of the theory that Budo was bestowed
from God, then it means the “Way” (michi) or means
to return to God. Therefore, my Budo is to pursue “The Way”
leading to the core spirit of the universe. We should not dwell
on winning or losing in this relative world, but should make the
utmost effort to polish our spirit and technique infinitely in
Budo.
E-Mail Kawanabe Sensei : aptdsgns@sover.net