Article "Traditional Karate" : International Traditional Karate Federation

"Traditional Karate"

Last Updated: 06.23.2007

History and Definition

Although today there are many different Karate sports, originally there was only one.

The first or Traditional Karate (Karate-Do) was the original Karate from which these

later sports borrowed the name “Karate”, as it is commonly and widely used today.

Karate has its roots in “Tode” – a weaponless self-defense system developed in

Okinawa, influenced by Chinese martial arts with more than two thousand years of

history. In mainland Japan, it was established as a part of

; “Traditional Karate” therefore is a general term for Karate that follows

Budo principles.

After World War II, Karate’s value for self defense, physical fitness, competition, and

overall mental and physical development came to be increasingly recognized.

However, as a martial art, it necessitated long and repeated careful study. Because

the

practice of Karate soon came to approach the semblance of a “boom” in popularity,

the

requirements of long and repeated careful study came to be overridden by the

demands of today’s world for more rapid results and quicker development. The result

was the emergence of many new sports using the name of Karate. To avoid confusion

with these new sports, the public began distinguishing the original Karate as

“Traditional Karate”.

The international governing body of Traditional Karate is the

International Traditional

Karate Federation (ITKF)

, which is composed of Traditional Karate national federation

from each member country. Each member national federation is the governing body

for

Traditional Karate in its respective country. Worldwide, members of ITKF practice

many

different “styles” of Karate (such as Shotokan, Goju-ryu, etc.). These “styles” are

comparable to schools or academies and have their own unique training systems

developed by Karate masters over many centuries. However, even under the same

style, groups affiliated with ITKF pursue Budo Karate while others not belonging to

ITKF

practice so called “karate sports” which are merely punching / kicking games with

Budo principles.

Objectives and Values

The purpose of Traditional Karate is to develop well-balanced mind and body, through

training in fighting techniques. Traditional Karate also shares the ultimate aim with

Budo, which is to cultivate great human character of a higher class that prevents any

violent attack before an actual fight occurs.

Budo originates in the practice of physical fighting; however, it has a significant effect

the spiritual and physical development of a human since Budo philosophy and

ethics

are absolute requirements for the study of techniques and improvement of

skills.

Elements such as manners and etiquette were not adapted from outside

elements nor

are they independent from the physical training, but existed within the

system since the

origin of Budo and were integrated to the technical improvement:

Seriousness:

Budo training must be done in a serious manner, because its techniques are derived

from severe life-or-death situations, where one must win the fight in order to survive.

This is why Budo practitioners are required to have a serious mind set. Only in such a

condition can one possibly achieve extreme levels of mind and body far beyond

ordinary

levels. This is apparent in competitions. For example, a Kumite (sparring)

match is

carried out in Ippon-shobu (one perfect “finishing blow” determines the

winner) format.

Because only one definitive technique can conclude a match,

competitors are driven to

learn the importance of serious attitude.

Humility:

To achieve a higher level, Budo requires a practitioner to keep a humble mind and

behavior. This allows one to always learn something from anyone. Once one thinks

that he or she is better than others, the possibility of improvement ceases. This is the

basis of the high importance of respecting instructors as well as training partners in

Budo.

Calmness & Discipline:

As already mentioned, the original Budo techniques were designed for the critical

situation where one may or may not survive. Under such a condition, it is difficult for

anybody to keep a calm mind; the ability of clear judgment or physical reflex slows

down, and often one may find himself immobilized due to nervousness. Therefore

keeping a calm mind is a crucial concern in Budo practice, and this is why a training

session begins and ends with a period of meditation. In addition, Budo’s rigorous and

disciplined training makes a practitioner confident about his techniques and gain

mental stability. According to the recent research by sports psychologists, this method

is recognized as most effective in avoiding mental fluctuation.

Skillfulness:

In Budo, the proper technique and power are generated by skill, rather than relying only

on muscular strength. Techniques are delivered from the center of the body so that it

can utilize a quick and efficient reflex of the entire body. In the same way, Traditional

Karate requires an integrated physical action controlled by the center of the body,

starting from the feet on the floor. Proper training develops a body with each part

moving in proper sequence without unnecessary moves, and as a result, allows one

build a well-balanced body.

Acknowledging the above described values, it is easy to see why such physical and

mental training became the basis for the concept of Budo and Traditional Karate

demanding unlimited seeking of total human development.

N ext Page

International Traditional Karate Federation

The International Governing Body of Traditional Karate

International Traditional Karate Federation

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