Ernest Cadorin

What Does Character Development Have to Do with Karate?

2019/11/15

Looking Beyond the Punches and Kicks

Have you ever wondered why philosophy, ethics, and character development are part of our training? What is the relationship between these elements and our martial art, and why do we talk about karate as a way of making ourselves strong, assertive, gentle, and caring?

The answer lies in the do of karate-do. The Japanese word do (pronounced “doe”) means “way” or “spiritual path”*, and when added to karate, it transforms its meaning from an art that is a set of combat techniques to an art that is a way of life. Certain philosophical principles are implicit in this way of life and are therefore an intrinsic part of our martial art.

Many of the principles we learn can actually help us with our karate and our ability to effectively defend ourselves. Mu no kokoro (mind of emptiness), for example, can help us stay focused during moments of crisis, and zanshin (heightened state of awareness) can help us avoid hazardous situations outright. But what’s even more important is the impact that these principles have on us in general. It is through them that we can live full and rewarding lives.

Karate-do (and certain other martial arts) are unique among the arts because with karate-do, the artwork and the artist cannot be separated from each other. When a painter creates a painting, that painting is distinct from the person who painted it. When a dancer performs a routine, the dancer’s artistic expression exists only for the duration of that routine. Our artwork, however, is who we are. It’s our character, it’s the way we conduct ourselves, and it’s the way we interact with the people, places, and things in our lives. Every time we are strong and compassionate, we are demonstrating our art. The artwork the artist are one in the same.

I’ve always liked the wording used on our belt promotion certificates – especially the phrases referring to “the mental and physical aspects of the art of Karate-do” and “the development and cultivation of character”. Looking at it now, it reminds me of how Sensei Burt Konzak used to say that when we pick up a glass of water, even our hand should have character!

* “spirit”, in this context, refers to the human spirit – the energy we put into doing things well and living well.