How effective is karate for self-defense? (BTW, It’s a rhetorical question)
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In its pure form, karate can be incredibly effective… but in its modern incarnation most of the karate seen today is sports oriented. The majority of today’s young people have only seen karate as a sport, with its strict rules and fanciful acrobatic techniques and bunkai.
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The reality is that most modern karate has become pretty, artistic, and far removed from the karate developed as a self-protection system on the island of Okinawa.
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Much of karate in the US is practiced in dojo situated in or near shopping malls, with fixed contracts and the disreputable instructors that give rise to the ever popular McDojo, which are so far removed from a traditional Okinawan dojo.
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Karate, as well as most martial arts, we’re not created with our contemporary world in mind. They were created in a time where the techniques and principles were useful in that time period for civilian self-protection.
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Karate was once whole. Containing punches, kicks, joint locks, throws, breaks…… and it was violent. In its time it was the defensive answer to the offensive question… but times changed, and continue to change, and karate has mostly evolved into the sporting arena.
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Competition became big business and a big draw for students. Many karate techniques are taught as blocks only, or strikes only, in a number of dojo. Modern karate is a prettier reflection of its roots. As an example watch kata in modern Olympic style, or JKF tournaments, and then watch some old videos of masters performing kata. Look at the difference between stances, movements, how the techniques were used.
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Karate IS effective. It is an amazing tool, and when learned for its technical aspects and principles, with locks, throws, breaks, and strikes, it can be devastating. You can still combine both sides of Budo, and have an effective karate, appreciating its beauty, and spirituality… while embracing its destructive power.
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Karate has ground work, there are many chokes, joint locks and throws, but those are slowly disappearing from the curriculum today sadly. Too many schools are teaching a watered down version, with modern karate now just being used as a striking art….. Put on your gloves, chest protector and helmet, stand toe-to-toe and punch and kick each other.
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Without a pragmatic approach to karate (and all martial arts) though, none of them are really, truly effective. One thing to keep in mind is that karate is not one art but many arts. It is a catch-all phrase that encompasses many different fighting systems originally from Okinawa and China….. and the differences between them, can be night and day. ??
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? Photo Credit: Koryu Uchinadi Italy & Patrick McCarthy