Twenty Precepts of Shotokan Karate
Below are the twenty precepts by Master Gichin Funakoshi that express his view of karate.
| Precept | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Karate-do begins with courtesy and ends with courtesy. |
| 2 | There is no first strike in karate. |
| 3 | Karate is an aid to justice. |
| 4 | First know yourself before attempting to know others. |
| 5 | Spirit first, technique second. |
| 6 | Always be ready to release your mind. |
| 7 | Accidents arise from negligence. |
| 8 | Do not think that karate training is only in the dojo. |
| 9 | It will take your entire life to learn karate, there is no limit. |
| 10 | Put your everyday living into karate and you will find "Myo" (subtle secrets). |
| 11 | Karate is like boiling water, if you do not heat it constantly, it will cool. |
| 12 | Do not think that you have to win, think rather that you do not have to lose. |
| 13 | Victory depends on your ability to distinguish vulnerable points from invulnerable ones. |
| 14 | The outcome of the battle depends on how you handle weakness and strength. |
| 15 | Think of your opponents hands and feet as swords. |
| 16 | When you leave home, think that you have numerous opponents waiting for you. |
| 17 | Beginners must master low stance and posture, natural body positions are for the advanced. |
| 18 | Practicing a kata exactly is one thing, engaging in a real fight is another. |
| 19 | Do not forget to correctly apply: strength and weakness of power, stretching and contraction of the body, and slowness and speed of techniques. |
| 20 | Always think and devise ways to live the precepts of karate-do every day. |
