(2 minute and 20 second read)

Possibly one of the most famous quotes by Gichin Funakoshi is; “The ultimate aim of karate lies not in victory or defeat, but in the perfection of the character of its participants.”
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So, I would like to pose a question. Does karate improve your character?
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The idea of the martial arts shaping a person’s character is a powerful one. We imagine disciplined minds, honed by rigorous training, translating into lives of integrity and strength.
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But is the reality so straightforward? Does tying on a belt automatically guarantee a moral upgrade?
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Character, like any skill, requires deliberate cultivation. It’s not a passive process, waiting to be bestowed upon you by the perfect kata, or precise punches and combinations. It’s a conscious journey, fueled by personal values and driven by a commitment to self-improvement….. by you.
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The question, then, isn’t whether karate “changes” you. It’s how you choose to use it.
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The martial arts can be an incredible vehicle for personal growth. The dedication required, the focus on respect and discipline, the physical and mental challenges – all offer the opportunity for self-analysis and development. But this depends entirely on the individual.
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I’ve witnessed instructors which at first seemed good karate-ka, but when I saw how they actually lived their lives, how they taught in the dojo, and how they treated students, I was not very impressed by their character at all. They were not good instructors, not good students, and not good people.
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Conversely, I’ve seen the shyest student blossom into a pillar of confidence and humility under the right guidance.
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An instructor, a teacher, needs to set a good example for their students, they need to maintain respectability in their lifestyle beyond the school or dojo.
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Kiichi Nakamoto 10th-dan Goju-Ryu was asked the question; “Was Okinawan karate popular before the war?”
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His reply; “In those years, karate was a required physical education subject throughout Okinawa. The plan was to develop children’s health, but it did not prove as poplar as hoped. Some of this was due to the old master-disciple method of teaching. Pre-war karate masters treated students harshly, and expelled them for the slightest reason. A student also had to have a good character or they wouldn’t teach him.”
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Nakamoto sensei suggests that you had to have a “good character” BEFORE learning the martial arts.
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So, It’s not the art itself, but the individual’s investment in their own training, their learning, and the desire to be better, that determines the outcome.
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The key lies in your intention. What do you seek from karate?
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Is it simply physical prowess, or do you yearn for something deeper – a stronger sense of self, greater compassion, a refined code of conduct?
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If the latter resonates with you, then karate can be a potent ally. But it’s not a magic bullet. It demands your active participation, your willingness to confront your flaws, and a relentless pursuit of betterment, of learning, in and beyond the dojo walls.
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Character isn’t a fixed destination, but a continuous journey. It’s tested in the crucible of time, shaped by every experience, every choice you make.
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The martial arts can be a valuable tool on this path, but it’s the individual who wields it with purpose and dedication who truly reaps the rewards.
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Does karate improve your character?
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The answer, as always, lies within you.
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