Niju Kun

  • Every Kata starts with a block. Never start with a strike.
  • Karate begins and ends with respect.
  • There is no first attack in Karate.
  • Karate supports righteousness.
  • First understand yourself, then understand others.
  • The art of developing the mind is more important than the art of applying a fist
  • The mind needs to be free.
  • Trouble is born of negligence/ignorance.
  • Do not think Karate belongs only in the dojo.
  • Karate training requires a lifetime.
  • Transform everything into Karate; therein lies its exquisiteness.
  • Karate is like hot water, if you do not give it heat constantly, it will again become cold water.
  • Do not think that you have to win, rather think that you cannot lose.
  • Transform yourself according to the opponent.
  • The outcome of the fight depends on one's control.
  • Imagine one's arms and legs as swords.
  • Once you leave the shelter of home, there are a million enemies.
  • Postures are for the beginner; later they are natural positions.
  • Perform the kata correctly; the real fight is a different matter.
  • Do not forget control of the dynamics of power, the elasticity of the body, and the speed of the technique.
  • Apply the way of Karate to all things. Therein lies its beauty.