Washin-ryu Karate-do is the modern martial art of empty hand. It can be defined as a system of self-defense that enables its students to develop their mental, physical, and spiritual potential to the fullest extent by providing physical techniques so that the student may become more aware of the self’s relationship to the universal principle that is expressed in nature. It should be further stated that true karate-do comprises different elements so that it can be many things to many people, such as a method of self- defense, a sport (as a hobby or competitive game), a physical fitness program, a physical art of self expression, and so on.
Ideally, a karate student should try to achieve a balanced view of the art of karate so that it can help to mold the whole person’s character. Although it is the student’s prerogative to emphasize one particular aspect for his personal satisfaction and benefit. It has been said traditionally that there are three main groups of people who engage in the practice of martial arts in general. The first group consists of people who emphasize the spiritual side of the art more than anything else, constantly engaging in meditation but slightly neglecting actual physical training. The second type is the opposite: they believe in physical training and perfection of techniques to such an extent that they often forget that human beings are endowed with spiritual and mental qualities that often become major factor in determining the outcome of any serious physical encounter with an opponent. The third type of participant should be called “utilitarian” martial artists, because they believe that the most important thing in martial arts is to defeat the opponent(s) and that is all that counts.
The philosophical aspects and the aesthetic elements of the art are not fully appreciated by this third type of people. Needless to say, these approaches are all acceptable in a sense, each demonstrating one aspect of karate-do. But it must be stated unequivocally that none of the above mentioned extreme practices are truly representative of karate-do in the fullest sense of the word. Karate-do, in its highest sense, is very similar to the meaning of Tao, which can be defined as the basis for all existence that flows naturally, existing in accordance with the laws of nature. Once understood in this light, the modern art of karate can be utilized effectively as a means for educating young people as well as a way of life for the more mature. It is important that we do not lose this perspective of karate-do, no matter what aspect of the art we may choose to emphasize in training, for it is the marrow of the art.
