SHOTO NIJU KUN (THE TWENTY PRECEPTS).
by O-SENSEI GICHIN FUNAKOSHI.
- Karate begins and ends with REI. (courtesy)
- An offensive attitude does not exist in Karate.
- Karate is an aid to justice.
- First know yourself and then others.
- Spirit is more important than technique.
- It is necessary to let KOKORO free (the mind).
- Accidents result of neglect.
- Karate training is not only in the dojo.
- Karate is a lifelong training.
- Confront your problems with a Karate spirit.
- Karate is like warm water (if you don’t heat it constantly, it will cool).
- Do not foster the idea of winning neither that of being defeated.
- Transform yourself according to your opponent.
- The secret of combat resides in the art of directing it.
- Think of your arms and legs as swords.
- When you leave your home, think that you have numerous opponents waiting for you (it is your behavior that invites trouble from them).
- Beginners must master low stance and posture; natural body positions are for the advanced.
- Strive for the perfect form (kata), real combat is something else.
- Do not forget to correctly apply: strength and weakness of power, expansion and contraction of the body, and slow and fast techniques.
- Always try to study and express it better.