The Philosophy of True Karate
Karate is a martial art and way of life that trains a practitioner to be peaceful; but if conflict is unavoidable, true karate dictates taking down an opponent with a single blow. Such an action requires strength, speed, focus, control. But these physical aspects are only part of the practice; they are just the vehicle, not the journey itself. True karate is based on
Bushido. In true karate, the body, mind and spirit—the whole person—must be developed simultaneously. Through kihon ( fundamental techniques ), kumite ( sparring ) and kata ( forms ) we learn to control our movements. But more importantly, we learn to give up control too. We can perform the techniques without thinking about them, and remain focused without having to concentrate on any one thing. In essence, the body remembers how to move and the mind remembers how to be still. This harmonious unity of mind and body is intensely powerful. Even the greatest physical strength and skill are no match for the power of wholeness. The result of true karate is natural, effortless action, and the confidence, humility, openness and peace only possible through perfect unity of mind and body. This is the core teaching of Zen, the basis of Bushido, and the essence of the JKA’s karate philosophy. Technique
The foundation of karate is the kihon, the kata , and the kumite. Upon these three rest all technique, all speed, all strength and all progress in karate. They are, in essence, one. And they must be studied as one: without the kihon basic techniques, there can be neither kata nor kumite. Likewise, kata separated from kumite is simply rote movement unseasoned with the knowledge that comes from application. Finally, kumite without kata loses the characteristic agility and effortless smoothness inherent in karate. Kihon is kata is kumite. When studying JKA Karate, kihon, kata and kumite are emphasised and practised equally and simultaneously. Through years of training and experience, the JKA have developed a unique and unrivalled system of kihon techniques. They place tremendous focus on the fundamentals, teaching scientifically and step-by-step the proper posture, balance and angle of each specific movement. As with most things, continuous repetition is essential, for if you get the fundamentals wrong, there can be no further progress. After mastering the kihon, you move on to the kata, the core of all karate skills. In kata, there is no wasted or meaningless movement. So we emphasize repeating them over and over again. Through constant repetition, your body learns to move automatically, effortlessly and efficiently. Over time, the techniques become unconscious, rather than deliberate mechanical movements. You can do them without thinking, which frees your mind to be still and experience the dynamics of that moment. The JKA have refined the kata to be more applicable in kumite sparring. Through the techniques learned in the kihon and practiced in the kata, you discover how to respond to situations naturally and freely, and apply your techniques appropriately as the circumstance demands. And that’s when the true power of karate can be known. When your entire being —body and mind—explodes forward and downs the opponent with one blow, it is called kime. Kime is the ultimate purpose of the kihon-kata-kumite trinity. About the Instructor. Simon first came across the martial art of karate whilst at school in the late Eighties, when a visiting kempo club started after school sessions. Although the after school club soon fizzled out due to a lack of attendees, the seed of interest in this mysterious method of fighting had been planted. Several years later, Simon moved house and purely by chance there was a martial arts club stationed right across the road. As luck would have it, the club was one of the oldest karate clubs in the entire country…. Plymouth Shotokan Karate Centre, run by Chief Instructor Sensei Les Clarke, so dull gym sessions were replaced with karate training and Simon’s road to learning real Shotokan karate began under the watchful eye of Sensei Clarke. Several years of kyu gradings followed under Sensei Ohta and Simon was graded Shodan in 1998 by the world famous Sensei Enoeda of the JKA. In the same year Simon was proud to become an Instructor at Plymouth Shotokan Karate Centre. In 2001, Simon was awarded Nidan, again under Sensei Enoeda’s infamous gaze. In 2005, Simon passed the JKAE Instructors examination. Simon was awarded Sandan by Sensei Ueki, the Chief Instructor at the JKA in 2006 and he continues to train hard at his own karate. Sensei Les Clarke stepped down from running Plymouth SKC, and Simon is proud to continue his legacy helping to maintain the high standards of Shotokan Karate at the Plymouth Shotokan Karate Centre and Blisland JKA
The Grading Syllabus
At Blisland JKA, we follow the syllabus as defined by the JKA headquarters. Gradings are generally held every 3 months at the Plymouth Shotokan Karate Centre. We are priviliged to have Sensei Ohta, 7th Dan, and Chief Instructor of JKA England, conducting these gradings, assisted by Sensei Les Clarke. Sensei Ohta also holds training sessions on these days for all levels.
