Competition
For Life
Zen-Shoto
Karate is much more than moderen forms
of karate, it is originally as designed,
purely for self defense.
Not just in the physical sense but in every
sense. Zen -Shoto is the the root of karate.
It teaches how to position
oneself to overcome adversaries often without
engaging them.
To become good at self
defence against any attack, one must diligently practice
self defence against any form of
attack, not just the
usual karate punch or kick. To become good at attack against
any defence, one must practice diligenly attack against any
defence.
Competitions
in All Martial Arts
are governed by rules that restrict the kind of attack and
the kind of defence that
may be used. Even so
called “No Rules” extreme competitions in reality have many
rules.
For instance if you have only one opponent one
may not have fifty people fighting on your side,
and you would not be allowed to bring a gun to the match.
However in reall life these may be practical ways to avoid
bloodshed.
Consequently competitions are always governed by
rules. The competitors are expected to both attack and
defend simultaneously. Such matches artificial and
bear little relationship to a real life situation.
It is not only
unnecessary to engage in competitions to practice and test
ones ability, it is
counterproductive. One
is practicing in an artificial circumstance with a refereee
when the time could be
better spent practicing
for the real world. Here it must be noted that simply the
lack of
competitions does not
mean that one is practicing for the real world. We
must note
Musashi’s words “Do
nothing of no use”. Many karate practitioners practice kata
(to practise ones behaviour) for which they
have very little or no
direct practical application.(No use) In some schools
they practice to extend
their spirit (ki)
beyond their bodies.If such a feat were possible it would be
of little or no practical value when learning how to
deal with
the material world.
Zen Shoto Karate
practises each and every
part of each kata with an attacking partner who
will attack in many different ways, as a street or bar.
fighter might attack. We practice behaviour (kata) both left
and right, not only stepping to left as in all other
schools.
Sun Tzu says
winning is of of course our primary purpose,but that victory
must be won with the least possible harm to either side.
This takes great skill, forthought and wisdom.
To
be invincible, defend. To be vulnerable,
attack.
Dragon and Butterfly
Tattoo