The Japanese word "karate" means "empty-hand." The component words "kara" and "te" mean "empty" and "hand", respectively. The spoken work "kara" in Japanese can also mean "Chinese," although the written character for "empty" is different from "Chinese". Through the last century, "karate" generally meant and was written as "Chinese hand," in recognition of the fact that Japanese karate was derived from early "Chinese hand" to "empty hand," because it was felt that "empty" was more descriptive of the art of karate. The person responsible for this change of meaning was Ginchin Funakoshi, the person also responsible for introducing karate to Japan in 1922. Funakoshi was an Okinawan schoolteacher whose destiny was to bring the previously little known "te" of the Island of Okinawa to the mainland of Japan. The word "empty" carried a further connotation of an "empty mind" philosophically, a mind empty of preconceptions or form, with unselfishness and strength of character. When the work "do" is added, the expression "karate-do" signifies that art of karate, the pursuit of "way" to mental and physical development and improvement, a way that is dependent upon serious training in karate technique and philosophy.

Karate is a system of empty-handed fighting against armed or unarmed opponents, in which its practitioners rely not upon the use of manufactured lethal weapons, but on their trained bodies. In truth, the human body is composed of many natural weapons; hands, feet, elbow, knees, etc. The techniques for using each are many and varied.

It is more important that the karate-person be never the first to attack, not only from a moral standpoint, but also as a fighting principle. It is basic that the best possible offense is a good defense. In warding of an attack, a defense is chosen that will not only block the attack, but will force the attacker to acknowledge defeat. In many cases there is no need for a counterattack. In some instances the attack is forestalled by anticipating it. As a matter of fact, it would be very difficult to overpower a truly skilled karate-person by any form of direct bodily attack.

Many people erroneously think that the "essence" of karate consists only of developing tremendous striking power in the hands and feet. The breaking of boards and bricks, it is true, will instill confidence in one's power; however, the true objective of such demonstrations is to display the speed, power, and technique of the karate-person who has been training for some time. There is much danger in emphasizing this aspect of karate. We should remember that there is a considerable difference between a stack of boards and a living, thinking, moving opponent. Strength by itself is not an assurance of victory.

Sensei Steinwald

Head Instructor