心得 (Kokoro E) 'Information' or 'Knowledge', What do you think?

The Five Dojo Teachings listed in my previous post are well known in the International Chito-Ryu Kareate Do Federation (ICKF) Curriculum. Attention should also be paid to the 千唐流空手道心得 Chito-Ryu Karate Do Kokoro E, the Directives of the study of Chito-Ryu Karate Do. There are ten in total and they are directly related to the five Dojo teachings presented earlier. Upholding these directives in our appraoch to training and in our daily lives is the responsibility of every serious Karate Ka.

 

千唐流空手道心得 Directives (Regulations) of the Study of Chito-Ryu Karate Do
Students are obligated to know the following:
a) When you start karate you must comply with the teachings with an open mind and submissive (humble) feeling, and not make bad habits.

b) Of course, you must respect your Sensei, Senpai, and fellow training partners. Kohai must also respect each other. We must have virtue of modesty and humility. “Bravery without respect is violence” (Confucius, 552 - 479 BCE).

c) You develop a healthy body through unyielding dedication to training and perseverance.

d) Training brings forth the cultivation of spirit, personality development is strived for and we are mindful of building peace and freedom for society.

e) Always have correct behaviour and absolutely don’t lose rationality.

f) When you study, it must move from easy to difficult, simple to complicated through repetition. Don’t mindlessly do hard training from the start, and never hurry.

g) Always have an intimacy with Makiwara, Chishi, Sashi, Kame, and Iron Geta and the fist, and don’t hurry the effects of these. Research Kata and Kumite with enthusiasm and train both equally.

h) A long time ago, it took three years to completely master one Kata. If you become a little good at one you must not become conceited. If you become conceited it will stop the progress of your natural moral virtue, and later you will become a useless person to society.

i) You must be careful to be well balanced in all your training and knowledge of theory.

j) If you do not have a clear understanding of these points, do not hesitate to ask your Sensei and Senpai. You must try to correctly understand.

These teachings and directives were developed by the 初代宗家 Shodai Soke, First Generation Soke the founder of Chito-Ryu Karate Do and 6th Great Master of Karate Do, Chitose Tsuyoshi. These teachings are of great importance in furthering one’s understanding of, not only Chito-Ryu Karate Do but, traditional Karate Do as a whole.

 

(Chiro-Ryu Karate Do Shyodai Soke, O Sensei Chitose Tsuyoshi, 1972)

 

"Understanding the depth of Courtesy in Japan is quite possibly the most beneficial thing needed to deepening our understanding of traditional Karate Do in general. For those of us who study, of course, the main purposes of Karate Do training is to master technique, make a healthy body, maintain respect and manners, fortify an indomitable spirit, and foster the growth of these in others within our Karate Do community." (ICKF Second Generation Soke, Chitose Tsuyoshi, personal conversation, 2007)

 

(The Author with the Chito-Ryu Karate Do 2nd Generation Soke, 1990)

 

Funakoshi Ginchin Sensei also stated, in his book 'Karate Do Kyouhan', that the essence of Karate Do lies in fostering specific traits of character, “Karate is no different from the other martial arts in fostering the traits of courage, courtesy, integrity, humility, and self-control in those who have found its essence (p. 13).” The fostering of these traits is the aim of Karate Do practice. These are the very same traits outlined in the above mentioned teachings of Chito-Ryu Karate Do Directives, as well. I am confident that if you conduct your own research you will find many commonalities and consistencies in every Ryuha and Kaiha with regards to this respect of the desire to foster a balance of 'Courage 'and 'Courtesy' in its practioners.

When someone partakes in the study of Karate Do they also partake in the development of these character traits in themselves. As we progress it becomes easier to recognize these traits in others as well. It is the duty of a Karate Do Sensei to develop these traits in their students because, as Funakoshi Sensei said, "[Karate] without courtesy is violence." The Kanji and readings of these traits are provided below.

 

Character Traits of Karate Do Training

(勇気) Yuki, Courage    (正直) Shyoujiki, Honesty

(自制) Jisei, Self-control   (素直) Sunao, Obedience

(礼儀) Reigi, Courtesy    (謙そう) Kensou, Humility 

(真性) Shinsei, Genuine    (誠実) Seijitsu, Sincerity