A game for youths

Sadat Hussain Rafsanjani :
Most of the people knows that karate is just a martial art, a way of self-defence, a strenuous exercise to free their bulk, a hobby for the show off fanatics and thrill for the eclectic. But for some people, karate is a way of life, the only way that bears the meaningful importance of their existence of the sprit. Karate is not a game; on the other hand it is a game indeed, a serious game! A game for the youth, a shield against the tyrants and a path of eternal strive for perfection in character. Karate, in fact, is not a philosophy like the Confucian Chinese Kung fu but it is a way to take out your opponent with a single blow.
What is Karate? Karate is the indigenous Japanese traditional martial art. Kara means empty, Te means hand and do means way or path. Literally karate is interpreted as the ‘way of the empty hand.’
There are total 25 traditional styles presently practiced in Japan. Some are based on the rules of light contact and some are full contact. Among them four styles are acknowledged by World Karate Federation includes Shotokan, Shito-ryu, Goju-ryu and Wado-ryu. Apart from that, some full contact styles emerged over the period of time. This style employs bare knuckle punching and other lethal techniques. There is a total of five full contact karate practiced in Japan, most of them originated from there too. Some of them are much popularised includes Kyokushin, Ensin, Seidokikan. Due to the brutal nature of these styles they are also dubbed as knock down karate. Of all, the most popular one is the Shotokan karate style, a style founded and popularised by Master Gichin Funakoshi, considered by all ‘The father of modern karate.’ He was a poet and philosopher, often went to the forest to meditate in order to write poetry. Karate was introduced to him by Anko Itosu and Anko Asato, both master of karate. Funakoshi trained in two karate styles called Shorei-ryu and Shorin-ryu. He established Shotokan style prior to 1910. Shoto was his pen name as a poet and Kan means training hall or house. Shotokan means ‘house of Shoto.’ He implied that karate is the path of self-knowledge quoting the ultimate goal of learning karate does not lie in winning or defeating your opponent but perfection in character.
Without perfection of character, the fluidity of the various techniques cannot be achieved. He insisted that Karate is not merely a fighting art but a spiritual thing, something that cannot be mastered without spiritually realising the necessity. He formulated some rules called dojo Kun. Dojo means training hall and Kun means rules. Funakoshi suggested that every karate-ka must seek perfection in character, be faithful and protect the way of truth, foster the spirit of effort, respect others and refrain from violent behaviours. Master Funakoshi insisted again and again that Karate must not be used unless the situation is down another or be downed by the opponent.  
Karate is a way of life. It is the way to know thy self, discovering the hidden potential of the practitioner, freeing the mind from every hesitation, dissatisfaction, boredom, ignorance and unveiling our weakness. Weakness compels strength and karate teaches us how to turn our weaknesses into strength through continuous practicing budo ethics, must follow the way of justice. In order to enlighten the mind, we do academic studies but for psychological openness and soundness physical exercise is a must. But karate breaks away that barrier, establishes the firm commandments that life is peachy but really need to deal with those difficulties both hardly and softly, with an open mind. It can be compared to fire and water. Fire can vaporise water and the same water can blow out the fire. A healthy mind, sound mind has always been the perfect weapon to attack the enemy, defeat any opponent and win every war. Every time we engage in a war, a confrontation, whether psychological or physical in nature, what drives us is the internal energy, a mystical force from the inside of mind and body. With enough conditioning of mind and soul, this internal energy can be improved and controlled fully. That’s why karate is important as it enlightens the mind in the proper way.
For most of us karate is like some fancy moves, if mastered our enemies will aloof from us. They will feel threaten in our presence. Perhaps, the misleading depiction of western culture and movies has awfully misinterpreted the real purpose and authenticity of karate in our day to day life. In some regions any sort of oriental martial art is called karate although it is incorrect. Karate is a Japanese martial art, originated mainly in Okinawa, then named Ryukyu Island. It is not a striking based or grappling based martial art rather a blend of different techniques, from open hand striking to various normal and jump kicks and even deadly choke holds to bare knuckle breaking techniques.
It has been exhibited many times that karate has some potential with which vital injury or death can be caused to the opponent. Many people even practice karate with this blind reason that karate is a form of self-defence; if they learn it they will be untouchable, unbeatable and undefeatable. They practice karate for its techniques. You have to release your mind then you can learn it well. A true practitioner puts karate into everything he does or at least tries. But the fact of the matter is karate may be best described as a conflict between someone against his alter ego, a universal war between the good and evil in a person. Controlling the character and protecting his goodness from evil deeds is a lifelong process, like a big run. The war can be won who wishes to dedicate his life to follow the path of karate; through hard training, self-discipline and respect. Respect is everything, without respect we are all common people. But respect must be taught and earned. That is why karate training or tournament starts with a bow and ends with a bow. When a junior meets senior, he shows respects to the senior by bowing his head but without drawing the face to the floor, a position called Ray by quoting Os. Besides, self-control is highly mentionable characteristics as a karate-ka, a person who practices karate, should not draw to a fight or confrontation easily but always be prepared for any physical challenge. This sort of internal energy is intensified through deep meditation. A karate-ka must not forget that when he or she leaves home, millions of opponents are awaiting to face them. Thus, they should be ready for any situation. The ability to engage in a fight or physical confrontation requires a lot of mental strength, mind relaxation and last but not the least courage. Courage is the virtue of a leader as a leader is a dealer in hope. He must have the willing to take the risk, to encourage others and accepts his mistakes to correct them. Accepting one’s ignorance or mistakes is not a matter of shame but requires a great amount of courage. That is how a leader is built, a winner is done and a champion is born. Before starting the training session, a karate-ka meditates for a while calling Maksum and ends by calling Maksum Yamei. So, meditation is like a weapon in karate, as sharp as an edged knife. Meditation is the most important part of karate training as this skill is very hard to achieve. It builds up positive attitude, fighting sprit for everything. Karate is a defensive art from beginning to end, thus it also teaches us how to break the opponent not only physically but also psychologically. Psychological recovery takes a longer period of time than physical recovery. Psychological warfare is one of the ancient battle strategies against an enemy, which requires prudence, vision and calm mind. Meditation helps to build all these virtues alone.  
Practicing karate is like striving for excellence in speed, stamina, power and perfection. Karate is kike hot water; it needs constant heating or turns cold. Stamina is built with proper physical exercise. A general warp up is required to free the joints and stretching the muscles. Another type of warm up is practiced called dynamic, an advanced form of exercise that enhances speed, mind body coordination, muscle strength and power especially. Karate is both an aerobic and anaerobic exercise too. Aerobic exercise strengthens respiratory muscle, cardiovascular muscle, reduces blood pressure and risk of diabetes, increases red blood cell in the body for transporting oxygen. On the contrary, anaerobic exercises helps to increase performance, speed, intensifies activity and muscle mass. Although many dispute that Shotokan Karate is a monopolistic style, its importance can be found that Korean martial art Taekwondo and Kyokushin Karate also based and emerged directly from this influential style.
Shotokan Karate, as well as other Japanese origin karate styles, has three core areas to train in namely Kihon (basic), Kata (shadow war) and Kumite (sparring). Kihon implies learning and practicing basic blocks called uke with hands, palms, legs and adapting to establish the body balance control by practicing dachies (stance). The dachies are very important to learn for any beginner as it serves as the key foundation for fighting. In a real fight, footsteps needed to be coordinated swiftly; speedy engaging and retracting can be earned with a lot of footwork practice. Leg swiping and attacking the leg muscle to paralyse or even breaking the leg requires stronger kicking power as well as leg muscle with high bone density. So, beginners are emphasised to do a lot of legwork and dachies makes leg bones and muscles stronger, harder and more flexible. In order to master various kicks, stretching is a must, it helps to kick higher. Kicks are called geri and punches are called zuki. Jump kicks or flying kicks (tobi geri) are practiced after black belt, as they are hard to control, dangerously off balancing for the kicker and compromising.  
Karate is mostly practiced for competitive fighting or kickboxing games. Thus Kumite is widely practiced everywhere. There are seven types of Kumite practiced in Shotokan. Five steps Kumite is called Gohon, three steps Kumite is called Sunbon, one step Kumite can be both stationary called Ippon or in fighting position called Jiyyo Ippon. The full-fledged fighting is called Jiyyo Kumite. When attack is planned that is called Keiso Ippon Kumite. For demonstration purpose, Hippo Kumite is widely practiced too. Kumite techniques vary from country to country and style to style as some styles emphasise on full contact rules where some only use light contact or simulated rules.
There are total six criteria in Karate to evaluate a karate-ka’s level of skill. Number one is called good form. It means one should maintain his proper balance during a defensive posture or attacking posture. In the competition sporting attitude is preferred as the karate-ka is advised to respect the opponent and referee by upholding the rules. Vigorous application means ability to attack spontaneously one after one while maintaining the proper distance and avoiding lethal blows. Awareness is essential for fighting. Good timing is emphasized greatly as one form or attack must be executed in a due period of time. Like taking down an opponent by leg sweep and attacking the opponent on the ground in three seconds is allowed but after that period of time the move will be considered a foul. Similarly, a form must be start and finished within a fixed period of time. Correct distance is highly practiced and monitored in sport Kumite as above three-centimeter push to the body can be fatal. Karate is for defense only thus every form starts with a defensive block. The real Karate training starts after one thousand days of practice and it takes twenty seven to thirty years to polish the moves, kicks and techniques.
Karate practitioners are awarded belts upon participating and passing the exam. The belt system was adopted from Judo, another Japanese martial art. The beginners belt colour is white, represents a novice practitioner. As he progresses the colour becomes darker and at last becomes black. There are some esoteric meanings behind choosing the colours. A practitioner wears a kimono called karate gi of colour white and ties a belt around his waist. The belt is wrapped for two reasons, to generate power from the core section of the body and mark his rank. The dress is coloured white, symbolises peace while the black belt means sophistication, power, mystery, discipline, self-control. It also absorbs negative energy. That is why black suit and pants is also a standard dress code for many organisations. Besides, a black belt or Kuro-obi represents a mark of competence. But it is to be clear that, black belt does not represent the skill as the matter of fact is it projects the mental state of the holder. A black belt is the mental projection of a practitioner’s skill level. Master Funakoshi borrowed the idea from Judo system to mark the progress where black means a graduation level. Low-grade black belts (1st Dan to 3rd Dan) are remarked as junior instructor or Senpai where mid graders (4th Dan to 6th Dan) are called Sensei. High graders are either called Shihan or Kanchos literally translated as director.