THE 20 GUIDING
PRINCIPLES
Master Funakoshi explained his philosophy of karate, in greater detail, in the twenty principles called the nijyu kun.Throughout his life, Master Funakoshi emphasized the importance of spiritual over physical matters, and he believed that it was essential for the karate student to understand why—not only for training, but in the way the student lives every moment of his life. In his book, Karate-do Kyohan, Master Funakoshi discussed both the positive and negative aspects of karate, warning us that karate-do can be misused if misunderstood. He felt that those who wanted to learn karate should understand what karate really is—what its purpose, its ultimate objective, should be. Only then could a karate student understand how to use karate techniques and skills properly.
When we get to the very essence of karate, to the ultimate purpose of training—that’s what it’s all about: Improving ourselves as people. If we all try to make ourselves the best human beings we can be, we will make the world a better place. We will help bring peace. That was Master Funakoshi’s ultimate goal—to make peace in the world by helping people develop themselves, as individual human beings, through karate-do. It is every instructor’s duty to help realize this goal. And it is the responsibility of every student as well. When you repeat the dojo kun after class, and you say it from your heart, you acknowledge that responsibility.
The principles of the dojo kun are simple and very basic. They are simply stated, and so require little explanation. Here we will give a brief explanation of each principle, keeping it as simple as the principle itself.
The message behind each of the nijyu kun is often more difficult to understand, however, and so we devote more time to explaining them. As you will see—and as I said before—the basic principles of the dojo kun are reflected in the principles of the nijyu kun. The dojo kun is the foundation of the nijyu kun.
As we explain the meaning of the nijyu kun, you will see the basic, simple ideas of the dojo kun everywhere. And again, the last four parts of the dojo kun reflect the very first, the most important principle of all: Seek perfection of character.
Always remember: The most important thing you can do as a true student of karate is to seek perfection of character. The dojo kun and the nijyu kun explain both how and what it means to do so, not only in karate training, but in the broader terms of life, generally.
Of course there is no substitute for training. Training is the process by which we learn to improve ourselves as people. Training is our path to the spiritual growth Master Funakoshi encouraged us to attain. But it is important to understand why we train. Karate, more than anything else, is a spiritual endeavor. It is a way to develop a person as an individual. If a karate student does not understand this basic objective, then he or she is not really practicing karate.
Helping people become the best human beings they can be is what karate is all about.
一、空手は礼に初まり礼に終ることを忘るな。
Karate-do wa rei ni hajimari rei ni owaru koto a wasaru na
Karate-do begins with a bow and finishes with a bow
二、空手に先手なし。
Karate ni sente nashi
There is no first strike in karate
三、空手は義の補け。
Karate wa, gi no taske
One who practices karate must follow the way of justice
四、先づ自己を知れ而して他を知れ。
Mazu onore o shire, shikashite ta o shire
First know yourself , then you can know others
五、技術より心術。
Gijitsu yori shinjitsu
Spirit and mind is more important than technique
六、心は放たん事を要す。
Kokoro wa hanatan koto o yosu
Be ready to release your mind
七、禍は懈怠に生ず。
Waza wai wa ketai ni seizu
Misfortune comes out of idleness
八、道場のみの空手と思うな。
Dojo nomino karate to omou na
Don’t think that what you learn from karate can’t be used outside the dojo
九、空手の修行は一生である。
Karate-do no shugyo wa isssho de aru
It will take you entire life to learn karate
十、凡ゆるものを空手化せ其処に妙味あり。
Ara yuru mono o karateka seyo; sokoni myomi ari
Put karate into your everyday living;that is how you will see its true beauty
十一、空手は湯の如く絶えず熱を与えざれば元の水に返る。
Karate Wa Yu No Gotoku Taezu Netsu O Atae Zareba Motono Mizuni Kaeru
Karate is just like hot water; if you do not give it continuous heat, it will become cold
十二、勝つ考えは持つな、負けぬ考えは必要。
Katsu kangae wa motsuna; makenu kangae wa hitsuyo
Do not think that you have to win; think, rather, that you do not have to lose
十三、敵に因って転化せよ。
Tekki ni yotte tenka seyo
Make adjustments according to your opponent
十四、戦は虚実の操縦如何にあり。
Tattakai wa kyo-jitsu no soju ikan ni ari
In conflict you must discern the vulnerable from invulnerable points
十五、人の手足を劔と思え。
Hi to no te-ashi wa ken to omoe
Consider you opponent’s legs and arms as you would lethal swords
十六、男子門を出づれば百万の敵あり。
Danshi mon o izureba hyakuman no teki ari
When you step beyond your own get, you face a million enemies
十七、構えは初心者に、あとは自然体。
Kamae wa shoshinsha ni atowa shizentai
Formal stances,are for beginners, later, one stands naturally.
十八、型は正しく、実戦は別もの。
Kata wa tadashiku, jisen wa betsumono
Perform prescnbed sets of techniques exactly, actual combat is another matter
十九、力の強弱、体の伸縮、技の緩急を忘るな。
Chikara no kyojaku tai no shinshuku waza no kankyu wo wasaru na
Do not forget: the employment of power, the extension or contraction of the body, the swift or leisurely application of technique
二十、常に思念工夫せよ。
Tsune ni shinen ku fu seyo
Be constantly mindful, diligent, and resourceful, in your pursuit of the Way.
Source: http://karatedo.hakuakai-matsubushidojo.com/history.html