Karate Precepts and "Dojo Kun" (Part 2)
Naha-te and Goju-ryu
Dating back nearly 200 years to the beginnings of Okinawan karate as we know it today, great masters have often left behind letters of advice to their successors, lists of precepts that sum up their philosophical and/or technical approaches to the martial arts, or "Dojo Kun," usually short sets of rules for the dojo or brief summations of their advice and beliefs. In some schools, these Dojo Kun are repeated before or after practice as a promise or creed of the style or school. Below are a number of such precepts and Dojo Kun by a variety of famous masters. In many cases, these have been translated multiple times, often inconsistently. I have attempted to give a version that makes the most sense, sometimes taking part of one translation and melding it with parts of others. For historical interest, I am also including the original calligraphy of the master when it is available. Part 2, below, covers a number of major Okinawan Naha-te-related (Goju-ryu) schools and styles. Other postings will include other Okinawan and Japanese schools and styles.
Various Precepts and Dojo Kun of Miyagi Chojun
(1888-1953, Founder of Goju-ryu Karatedo)
Precepts of Okinawan Goju-ryu1
It should be known that secret principals of Goju-ryu exist in the kata.
Goju-ryu Karate-do is a manifestation within one's own self of the harmonious accord of the universe.
The way of Goju-ryu Karate-do is to seek the way of virtue.
Patience
You must, above all, learn the art of true and real patience.
Follow the way of patience to the seventh power and never be in a hurry to learn.
Always think first and avoid acting rashly.
Never harm anyone or let yourself be harmed.
Dojo Kun
Be mindful of your courtesy with humbleness.
Train yourself considering physical strength.
Study and contrive seriously.
Be calm in mind and swift in action.
Take care of yourself.
Live a plain and simple life.
Do not be too proud of yourself.
Continue training with patience and humbleness.
Eight Precepts from the Bubishi
The mind is one with heaven and earth.
The circulatory rhythm of the body is similar to the cycle of the sun and moon.
The way of inhaling and exhaling is hardness and softness.
Act in accordance with time and change.
Techniques will occur in the absence of conscious thought.
The feet must advance and retreat, separate and meet.
The eyes do not miss even the slightest change.
The ears listen well in all directions.
A copy of the Eight Precepts of the Bubishi written for Miyagi Chojun by a friend and expert calligrapher.
The Precepts of Yagi Meitoku, 10th dan Goju-ryu
(Master Yagi was widely considered the successor to Miyagi Chojun and the senior Goju-ryu teacher on Okinawa. He lived from 1912-2003)
There is no secret to Karate but to train a hundred techniques a thousand times.
The strange, mystery and miracle, (of Karate) is inside located in the refinement
and drilling and polishing of the heart. The secrets of karate are revealed by
having a good heart.
Running water does not compete. Be soft, flexible and humble. Shed your ego.
A pine tree bends in the wind but a bamboo is hard in the cold. Must have a
balance between hard a soft.
The way of inhaling is both hardness and softness, you must give and take.2
Yagi Meitoku was famous for his calligraphy. Below is an example, which translates as "Secrets of practice come from having a good heart."3
Dojo Kun of Senaha Shigetoshi, 9th dan Goju-ryu
Dojo Kun of Senaha Shigetoshi, 9th dan Goju-ryu
(Senaha Sensei, born in 1941, was a senior student of Yagi Meitoku)
We will devote ourselves to spread Karatedo with the world-wide view, and to cultivate and develop one's physical strength and one's spiritual health by studying and training.
For that purpose,
1 -- The teacher and the students relates each other on the basis of loyalty and honor.
1 -- Love and respect to one's father and mother.
1 -- Respect senior student.
1 -- Sincerity to one's friends.
1 -- Have affection for junior students.
We will always devote ourselves for training based on these five precepts.4
Dojo Kun of Goju-ryu Master Miyazato Eiichi
Miyazato Eiichi (1922-1999)
Be mindful of your courtesy with humbleness.
Train yourself considering physical strength.
Study and contrive seriously.
Be calm in mind and swift in action.
Take care of yourself.
Live a plain and simple life.
Do not be too proud of yourself.
Continue training with patience and humbleness.5
Dojo Kun of International Okinawan Gojukai Federation
(This is the successor organization to the Jundokan of Miyazato Eiichi now led by Iha Koshin, 10th dan, who was named a Japanese Intangible Cultural Treasure in 2000.)
(Iha Koshin, born 1939)
First: Work to perfect your character.
First: Always act with good manners.
First: Refrain from violent or uncontrolled behavior.
First: Cultivate a spirit of endeavor and perseverance.
First: Have fidelity in seeking the true way.6
Dojo Kun of Higaonna Morio, 10th dan Goju-ryu
(Higaonna was a student of Miyazato and Miyagi Anichi, one of Miyagi Chojun's last students. Born in 1938, he has taught in Okinawa, the U.S., and Tokyo. He runs the International Okinawan Goju Ryu Karate-do Federation [IOGKF]. Like some other Goju-ryu teachers, each element of his dojo kun begins with "first thing." )
First Thing, Respect others.
First Thing, Be courageous
First Thing, Train your mind and body
First Thing, Practice daily and protect traditional karate.
First Thing, Strive to reach the essence of Goju-Ryu.
First Thing, Never give up.7
Jundokan International Dojo Kun
(As displayed on the wall of the dojo of Sensei Teruo Chinen, in Spokane Washington. Sensei Chinen is the head of Jundokan International and was a student of Sensei Ei'ichi Miyazato at the Jundokan dojo and of Higaonna Morio of the IOGKF.)
(Chinen Teruo, b. 1941)
Be humble and polite
Train considering your physical strength
Practice earnestly with creativity
Be calm and swift
Take care of your health
Live a plain life
Do not be too proud or modest
Continue your training with patience
Toguchi Seikichi's Dojo Kun
(Toguchi Seikichi, 1917-1998, was one of the three great students of Miyagi Chojun who ran popular dojo on Okinawa. His dojo kun also began each point with the word "first" to emphasize that all points were equally important.)
One, cultivate a peaceful mind.
One, Learn to be patient.
One, strive hard to be a better person.
One, try to develop your spirit and the techniques of Karate in the same level.
One, apply the principles of Karate in your daily life.8
Another Version of Master Toguchi Seikichi's Dojo Kun
* Be always courteous and humble
* Cultivate peaceful mind
* Learn to be patient
* Strive hard to be a better person
* Try to develop your spirit and the techniques of Karate in the same level
* Apply the principles of Karate in your daily life9
Precepts of Shinjo Masanobu
(Shinjo Masanobu, 1938-1993, was a student of Yagi Meitoku but mainly trained under and taught for Toguchi Seikichi.)
Work hard at forging proper karate-do techniques, train both the body and mind, strive to cultivating a complete character.
Build an unyielding spirit and work hard to be able to control yourself in the face of any difficulty.
Show respect for your seniors and kindly guide your juniors.
Never engage in any speech or behavior that would damage the honor of the association.
Always have pride as a member of the association; never allow yourself to be carried away by youthful ardor, taking drastic measures and engaging in ill-mannered behavior.10
