Whether you practice karate for fighting, competition, reality or self-defense, if that’s all you want from training then that is your choice. However, you could be missing out on all the other aspects that the traditional martial arts have to offer.
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Since ancient times, the Ryukyu Kingdom has built an attractive traditional culture. In this historical and cultural background, karate, born in Okinawa, has been passed down as a martial art that contributes to the formation of a person that loves peace and values etiquette, as well as cultivating a resilient body and indomitable spirit through rigorous training. Karate is okinawa’s proud traditional culture.
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“My mission is to better myself through training and train future karate masters. Another mission is to teach the true meaning of Okinawa karate by training those who are motivated to learn karate in Okinawa.” – Morio Higaonna 10th dan Goju-ryu
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A “Sensei”, like Morio Higaonna, point the way by passing on knowledge and creating an environment where students are able to arrive at a direct understanding through their own efforts and motivation.
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Most of us have heard the word “deshi” (弟子), often without any real understanding of just what the term means. Many of us hearing the word translate the word to “student”. However, the word really means something much more than this. In Japanese, the term for student, or pupil, is “gakusei” (学生), and the term “deshi” means “disciple”. There is a difference.
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Students attend a class and expect to be taught. Deshi join a dojo to discover and embrace a “Way” … Students seek information. Deshi make a commitment to undergoing transformation and gaining understanding.
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A dojo is not an enterprise designed to make money. It certainly can be run in a business like, professional manner, and … it may be prosperous. The fundamental intent of a dojo, however, differs from a business or school.
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When it comes to learning something, we expect to find a school, pay for classes, and get what we pay for … But a dojo isn’t a class … The course never ends. And the Way (Do) is not for sale.
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Karate is an aspect of Okinawa’s culture that the people of Okinawa are proud of, and even now it continues to be passed on and valued as much more than simply a fighting art. 
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References: Okinawa Karate Kaikan: H. E. Davey: Morio Higaonna
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 Photo Credit: Warrener Entertainment
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