what is the essence of karate?

Answer 1

Self protection, I'm sure you'll get a lot of answers about enlightenment and spiritual perfection. The true essence of karate, after you strip away all the excess spiritualism , is self protection. Before those aspects were added karate was about being able to defend ones self and others from physical harm.

Answer 2

I know I'll make somebody mad, but Karate is essentially about getting your behind kicked by people who train more realistically. Nth degree black belt, Fred Ettish and the Japanese Karate fighter in UFC 2 stand as example. And that was when everybody pretty much sucked. I started with Karate years ago and gained some knowledge that has served me well but 90% of Karate schools anymore have to sell something else like BJJ to keep the doors open.

Answer 3

Karate training satisfies three goals:
1) Perfection of character
2) Physical Fitness
3) Self Defense

Answer 4

A true karate-ka will not make the first 'attack'.
The essence of karate is to be humble and not to be arrogant. Yet, we encounter very often in tournaments many a karate practitioner who openly displays arrogance, pride and lack of humility. This goes against Sensei Funakoshi's tenet of courtesy. To be humble and courteous are not a sign of weakness, they are signs of a more complete person, one who is at peace with himself. Anyone who is puffed up with pride hides an inner weakness.

One needs only to examine our own club to see that our senseis are living this essence of karate. No one can dispute their innate and learned abilities, but their collective experiences have gone further. One does not see that vain display of arrogance stemming from technical superiority in class. The senseis know that "the strong hawk hides its talons". They do not boast of their abilities but are always eager to share what they know and are the first to admit what they do not know.

I hope that this helps. Good luck!

Answer 5

learning to fight.

There is no "spirituality" component to it.

Teachers added that when karate became popular to make it seem less violent.

Fact is you are learning to fight. Anything else is just wasted class time which in return is wasting your money.

People have a facination with a foreign culture so they attach some part of that culture (the religion and philosophy) to the fighting system.

The knights of medieval europe did the same thing except since christianity is aggressively spread and people are forcibly converted, whereas buddists and taoist philosophy does not, people looked at these as part of the martial arts of asia. To the american, it was flirting with the philosophies of another culture, to the teacher (if they were asian) it is sharing thier culture and spreading it, which I would imagine would give a sense of pride.

Generally many teachers keep the spirituality in thier teaching because that is how they were taught and it helps it seem like you are teaching something besides fighting.

Think about what you would say if your kid said:

"Mom I want to take boxing lessons" or

"Mom I wan to take karate".

Karate sounds less aggressive and less violent although they are both martial arts. And in order for a karate student to become a good fighter, they must train and spar in a manner similar to that of a boxer- of course since they are both martial arts and the only way to really train and learn how to fight, is against a non-cooperative resisting opponent.

EDIT: to say "karate is only used to defend" is part of this philisophical dribbble that I'm talking about. Yes ideally one should only fight in self-defence in our society unless one's job calls for it- such as a cop, soldier or prize fighter (however the prize fighter's goal is to win, not based on aggression and not to injure thier opponent).

Martial arts is like a gun or knife, it is itself unresponsible for the damage caused, it is the person who uses it that determines the purpose it is used for. Your techniques do not become nullified when you use them to hurt someone- martial arts (the arts of mars, the god of war- is where the term comes from) and karate- a term describing a certain collection of styles of martial arts, are simply the art of fighting.

Answer 6

karate is the art of fighting with empty hands (no weapons), it's essence is based on respect, discipline and honor.

Answer 7

Seek Perfection of Character
Defend the Path of Truth
Strive to Excel
Be Courteous
Refrain from Violence
.

Answer 8

DISCIPLINE and the ability to defend oneself from being attacked by anyone..... Builds confidence.... Teaches self control... Conditioning the Mind and Body..... Never used to attack only to defend.....

Answer 9

Its Herbal....as in herbal essence