Legend has it, that it was the usual practice for the headman of a particular village to periodically retreat to the mountains to meditate and become one with the Buda within. One day upon his return the headman found that an army had descended from a neighbouring province and taken over his village, and placed it under martial law. Confronted by soldiers, the headman was ordered to pay homage to the invading warlord by kowtowing to his banner. Refusing, the headman was p

The following is a derivative of something borrowed from Masatoshi Nakayama Sensei's 'Best Karate' series of instruction books: "Karate is, and always has been, a method of self-defence, never a technique of aggression. However, it is much more than that. To a dedicated student, it is a form of combined physical and mental discipline from which a student can learn the value of personal attribute such as kindness and sincerity. "To the Karate Master, self-control is quite

I promise to uphold the true spirit of Karate-do and never to use the skills I am taught, unless in the instance of extreme danger in defence of myself, family, friends or country, or in the support of law and order.

In the event of an unavoidable adverse situation, and where there is no other option but to confront an attacker, the following minimum escalation of force is recommended: - Stop rather then hurt. - Hurt rather than maim. - Maim rather than kill. - Kill rather than be killed.

Humility To be humble or unpretentious, the opposite of arrogant or bigheaded. Self Discipline The strength of mind to impose your will upon yourself. Self Confidence The ability to recognise and be what and who you are. Self Knowledge Knowing your potential and where you are in respect of that. Self Love Love is an essential ingredient of this world and begins with self. Self Respect Without self respect you will respect nothing else. Respect for Others Respect is a mu

Grand Master Gichin Funakoshi, 1868 - 1957, was Founder of Shotokan Karate. Masatoshi Nakayama Sensei, 1913 - 1987, a student of Gichin Funakoshi Sensei, established the Japan Karate Association in 1949. Keinosuke Enoeda Sensei, 1935 - 2003, was a student of Nakayama Sensei and part of a team of Masters sent out to spread Shotokan across the world (he was once credited as having the strongest punch in Japan) and was the Karate Union of great Britain Chief instructor from