Was the creation of Karate-do a necessary evolution or a politically motivated rebranding? 🤔 This week on Great Karate Myths, we unravel the historical truth behind the dichotomy of Jutsu (technique/skill) and Do (way/path).

We look at Gichin Funakoshi's ambition to transform Okinawan karate into a Japanese budo , following the lead of Kano Jigoro's Judo. Learn how the end of the samurai and the Meiji Restoration fundamentally redefined martial arts, shifting them away from combative skill and toward personal development and nation-building.

🚨 Myth Alert! We argue that the idea of a historical "golden age" of deadly Karate-jutsu is a modern invention, largely created to sell the art to the West. We also contrast the physical culture focus of Miyagi Chojun's Goju-ryu with the samurai-influenced "one blow" ethic of Shotokan.

Don't miss the final point on why the antique kata are more closely related to Kung Fu and weapons applications than to modern ideas of unarmed combat! 🤯

Key Highlights:

• Funakoshi's political reasons for changing 'China Hand' to 'Empty Hand'
• Why jutsu and do don't historically apply to the antique kata
• The late-eighties pressure point fighting craze
• Funakoshi borrowing from Japanese arts like Jigen-ryu and Jiu-jitsu

🎧 Tune in and subscribe to our podcast for more myth-busting!

In this episode of "Great Karate Myths," we challenge the idea of tradition by diving into Ten No Kata 🥋, a form created by Gichin Funakoshi Sensei between 1925 and 1935. It was a deliberate, non-traditional creation designed to establish a systematic set of basics (kihon) for beginners. We discuss why its very existence suggests that a cohesive set of fundamentals was "woefully absent" from existing kata and how it became the fundamental blueprint for modern karate practice globally—influencing Shotokan's kumite and the basic drills of Taekwondo. We explore how Ten No Kata is a physical representation of the shift from karate jutsu (technique) to karatedo (the way) and why it's argued to be the first "pure empty-hand" form. Funakoshi Sensei’s brilliant, progressive thinking is on full display in this pivotal kata.

Relevant Links/Resources

• Karate-Do Kyohan (Funakoshi Sensei)
• Karate-Do Nyumon (Funakoshi Sensei)
• Henning Wittwer’s translation and analysis of Karatedo Nyumon

• 
  

• Keywords/Tags

  Ten No Kata, Gichin Funakoshi, Karate History, Shotokan, Karatedo, Kihon, Martial Arts Philosophy, First Pure Kata, Karate Jutsu, Sente Nashi

In this episode of Great Karate Myths, we dive into the aspects of martial arts that are intentionally left out of the traditional kata. We challenge the common misconceptions that kata are a "complete" system of unarmed combat or a choreographed fight against multiple opponents. We discuss why foundational elements like spitting, headbutting, and ground grappling are omitted and explore the idea that kata are meant to be a simple framework for developing spontaneous and creative skills. Using analogies from music and writing, we argue that the purpose of kata is to provide a limited, fundamental skill set that allows for improvisation, rather than a rigid set of pre-determined responses to every situation.

Key Takeaways/Highlights

• Kata are not a "complete" system of unarmed fighting, as such a concept is impossible to define or record.

• Kata are not choreographed fights against multiple opponents, a major misconception promoted by organizations like the Japan Karate Association in the 20th century.

• Kata deliberately leave out certain violent techniques and skills, such as spitting, headbutting, eye gouging, and grappling.

• The movements in kata are intended to be simple, foundational techniques that can be committed to muscle memory, allowing for creativity and improvisation in real-world situations.

• Skills like closing the distance to an opponent are not included in kata because they must be developed through practical, real-world experience, not a pre-scripted form.

On this episode of “Great Karate Myths,” we unravel the truth behind classical karate kata. 🥋 We’re asking a controversial question: why is there no ground grappling in the antique forms? 🧐 We'll explore the life-or-death context of policing and weapon defense, and why staying upright was the only option. Discover how the modern idea of a "complete martial artist" is a far cry from the original purpose of these ancient forms. ⚔️ Get ready to challenge everything you thought you knew about martial arts history!

In this episode of Great Karate Myths, we challenge the popular belief that antique kata were designed to map out deadly vital point strikes, also known as kyusho. 🥋 We delve into historical research and explore the evidence suggesting that forms like Naihanchi and Seisan were actually developed to avoid causing serious, permanent damage. 🛡️ Instead, their purpose was likely for civil arrest and policing, focusing on techniques for disarming and incapacitating without lethal intent. 🚨 We also discuss how modern interpretations of kata, influenced by other martial arts traditions, have led to a misunderstanding of their original function. Join us as we uncover a more ethical and restrained side to the ancient practice of karate. 🙏

Relevant Links/Resources

• Andreas Quast's Patreon page (for the article "How Karate Adopted Jūjutsu Vital Points Without Knowing it")

Keywords/Tags

Karate, Kyusho, Kata, Martial Arts, Bunkai, History, Debunking Myths, Okinawa, Antique Forms, Vital Points

In this Q&A episode, we tackle the big question: "What is the real context for karate kata?" We explore why these forms are the most credible evidence we have for understanding karate's history, and why relying solely on written historical documents is a dead end. We also delve into the surprising and diverse origins of kata, which may have included roles such as policing, bodyguarding, palace security, and even religious rituals. We discuss why specific versions of kata, particularly those in Matsubayashi Shorin-Ryu and Uechi-Ryu, are considered the best-preserved and most reliable for research. Finally, we address questions about the timeline of Sanchin and other forms, speculating on their possible Ming dynasty origins.

Key Takeaways/Highlights

• Kata as Primary Sources: The kata themselves are the most reliable historical documents for understanding their original function and context, as written records are scarce.

  
  

• Diverse Original Contexts: The purpose of kata was not limited to unarmed self-defense. Their original functions likely included policing, bodyguarding, militia training, theater, and religious rituals.

  
  

• The Problem of Modern Kata: Many modern versions of kata, such as those in Shotokan and Wado-Ryu, have evolved and changed over time, obscuring their original meaning and making them problematic for historical research.

  
  

• Preserved Forms: For accurate research, it is necessary to study the best-preserved versions of kata, which are found in traditional styles like Matsubayashi Shorin-Ryu and Uechi-Ryu.

Relevant Links/Resources

• Bo: Techniques, Forms, and Partner Practices of Ancient Okinawan Fighting Traditions

Keywords/Tags

Karate, Kata, Martial Arts History, Okinawa, Shuri, Naha, Goju-Ryu, Shotokan, Matsubayashi Shorin-Ryu, Uechi-Ryu, Sanchin, Ming Dynasty, Kung Fu, Bunkai.

In this episode of "Great Karate Myths: Debunking the Legends," we delve into Sanchin, the foundational karate kata. We explore the compelling theory that the Uechi-ryu Sanchin, brought from China by Kanbun Uechi, serves as a prototype due to its pure function for sai training. Discover how historical events, like the Qing dynasty's weapons ban, may have led to the divergence of Sanchin forms, influencing Goju-ryu's interpretation as a dynamic tension exercise without direct applications. Uncover the "map" that Sanchin provides for fundamental martial arts skills and why understanding its original purpose is crucial for unlocking its true utility. Join us for a deep dive into the evolution and enduring significance of "One Sanchin to Rule Them All."

Key Takeaways/Highlights:

• The Sanchin preserved in Uechi-ryu is speculated to be a prototype due to its pure function and concise nature, originally intended for training with sai.
• The Goju-ryu Sanchin likely diverged from this common source, adapting to an empty-hand focus and leading to interpretations as a dynamic tension exercise.
• The historical weapons ban during the Qing dynasty may have contributed to the loss of original Sanchin functions, leading to varied interpretations and "semi-testing" practices.
• Core preparatory forms like Sanchin (or Naihanchi in Shorin-ryu and Sil Lim Tao in Wing Chun) are essential "maps" for developing fundamental martial arts skills.
• While many Sanchin forms exist, their utility for unarmed fighting or body conditioning is debated, with the Uechi-ryu version being highlighted for its clear, systematic application.

References:

The Great Karate Myth: https://amzn.to/4oaEiIN

Uechi-ryu Karate Do: https://amzn.to/4l2PtAH

In this revealing episode of 'Great Karate Myths: Debunking the Legends' 🥋, we tackle the "elephant in the room" of karate: the unique and often-ignored Naihanchi fist. We challenge the pervasive notion that karate is solely about striking, arguing that the peculiar shape of the Naihanchi fist is a crucial clue to the kata's original function. 🧐

Discover why this specific fist, with its top finger half-open and thumb wrapped over it, is fundamentally different from a standard punching fist. We explore how this hand shape has been overlooked in countless discussions about Naihanchi's applications, despite being clearly demonstrated in foundational texts like Gichin Funakoshi's Karatedo Kyohan. 📜

We reveal that the Naihanchi fist is optimally designed for gripping and civil arrest techniques, emphasizing the physiological advantages of using the ring, middle, and little fingers for strong grip, while the index finger plays a minor role. This episode challenges the ballistic striking paradigm, suggesting that the kata's limited sideways movements and mid-level content also support a grappling interpretation. 💪🔒

We also touch upon historical figures like Motobu Choki, whose "one-knuckle strike" might have been an adaptation inspired by the Naihanchi fist. This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking a deeper, more historically accurate understanding of karate's rich and often misunderstood heritage. 🤯 delving into the past to uncover the truth!

Relevant Links/Resources:

• Images discussed: https://www.kodoryu.com/research/naihanchi

• Naihanchi Grappling: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJLm1OFMczA

• Karatedo Kyohan by Gichin Funakoshi: https://amzn.to/46SA42o

• The Essence of Okinawan Karate-Do by Nagamine Shoshin: https://amzn.to/4kSYSLa