In Japan, a number of time-honored everyday activities, such as making tea, arranging flowers, writing, some of which are traditionally deeply explored by their practitioners.
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Students study how to make tea, write with a brush, or perform martial arts, in the most skillful way possible, to express themselves with maximum efficiency while trying to obtain perfection.
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The art of brush writing becomes ‘shodo’ – the “Way of the brush” – while the art of arranging flowers is elevated to the status of ”kado” – the “Way of flowers”, and the art of karate becomes – “karate-do”. Through these Ways, or Do forms, the Japanese have sought to realize the Way of living itself. They have approached the universal through the particular.
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Through this efficient, skillful, and creative performance, they arrive at art. But if they continue to delve even more deeply into their art, they discover principles that are truly universal……… principles relating to life itself.
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I’ve noticed that an important part of Japanese culture is to always do your best. When it comes to working, studying, training, and especially when helping other people, or providing a service for someone, it’s all about how hard you try.
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There’s a Japanese phrase that’s very often used; “ganbatte kudasai” (頑張ってください) “Please do your best.” This captures something interesting and vital about Japanese culture.
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In Japanese, the response to ”ganbatte kudasai”, is usually “hai, ganbarimasu” (がんばりますね) “yes, I am trying/will try my best”, accompanied with a small bow.
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It’s very important to show that you do your best, in all things. There should be tremendous pride taken in doing your training, studying, teaching, or doing your job properly…… 
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“A true karate person takes his physical skills, discipline and focus developed in the dojo and applies them to everything, work, family, social life. In this way, karate is integrated into the fabric of our lives; it is not something separate. The way of karate is the way of everyday life.” – Seiyu Nakamura, 10th Dan Okinawa Dentou Shidokan Karate and Kobujutsu
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 Photo credit: Travel67 Chris Wilson Photography
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