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Shoto Kinu Kun

Gichin Funakoshi's Twenty Precepts of Karate Do

 

1. Karate-do wa rei ni hajimari, rei ni owaru koto wo wasuruna

Karate-do begins with courtesy and ends with courtesy

 

2. Karate ni sente nashi

There is no first attack in karate

 

3. Karate wa gi no tasuke

Karate is of great assistance to (auxiliary of ) justice

 

4. Mazu jiko wo shire, shikoshite tao wo shire

Know yourself first, and then others

 

5. Gijutsu yori shinjutsu

Spirit first: techniques second

 

6. Kokoro wa hanntan koto wo yosu

Always be ready to release your mind

 

7. Wazawai wa getai ne shozu

Misfortune (accidents) always comes out of idleness (negligence)

 

8. Dojo nomino karate to omou na

Do not think that karate training is only in the dojo

 

9. Karate no shugyo wa issho de aru

It will take your entire life to learn karate: the re is no limit

 

10. Arai-yuru mono wo karate-ka seyo, soko ni myo-mi ari

Put your everyday living into karate and you will find the ideal state of existence (myo)

 

11. Kartate wa yu no goto shi taezu natsudo wo ataezareba moto no mizu ni kaeru

Karate is like hot water; If you do not give it heat constantly, it will again become cold water

 

12. Katsu kangae wa motsu na makenu kangae wa hitsuyo

Don't think you have to win; rather think you don't have to lose

 

13. Tekki ni yotte tenka seyo

Victory depends on your ability to distinguish vulnerable points from invulnerable ones

 

14. Tattakai wa kyo-jutsu no soju ikan ni ari

The battle is according to how you maneuver guarded, unguarded Move according to your opponent

 

15. Hito no ye ashi wo ken to omoe

Think of the hands and feet as swords

 

16. Danshi mon wo izureba hyakuman no tekki ari

When you leave home, think you have numerous opponents waiting for you. It is your behaviour that invites trouble from them

 

17. Kamae wa shoshinsha ni ato wa shizentai

Beginners must master low stance and posture; natural body position for advanced

 

18. Kata wa tadashiku jissen wa betsu mono

Practicing a kata is one thing, and engaging in a real fight is another

 

19. Chikara no kyojaku, karada no shinshuku waza no kankyu wo wasaruna

Do not forget: strength and weakness of power; stretching and contraction of body; and slowness and speed of techniques. Apply these correctly

 

20. Tsune ni shinken kufu seyo

Always think and devise ways to live the precepts every day

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