'SHOGUN' TRADITIONAL SHOTOKAN KARATE-DO

ACADEMY   SHOTOKAN

KARATE IS SO MUCH MORE THAN JUST SELF-DEFENCE ----- THE DOJO KUN - TO STRIVE FOR THE PERFECTION OF CHARACTER - TO DEFEND THE PATHS OF TRUTH - TO FOSTER THE SPIRIT OF EFFORT - TO HONOUR THE PRINCIPLES OF ETIQUETTE - TO GUARD AGAINST IMPETUOUS COURAGE - CHARACTER - SINCERITY - EFFORT - ETIQUETTE - SELF-CONTROL

Updated February 10th 2010

Karate is great for Kids, but what is Karate?

Beware: All so called Karate clubs do not teach real karate, are very unsafe and only after your money.  Some of these clubs even teach in Schools, why? because they can produce certificates, and insurance documents. So easy in this day and age of computers to copy and print off anything. I myself only ever had one Judo lesson, but I could easily print off a certificate showing me a Black Belt 8th Dan in Judo, and so can you, if you know where to look. 

I know someone who got a Black Belt Certificate for his dog from a very large Karate association belonging to the official Governing body. Oh by the way, the dog had no Karate lessons. 

So be very careful, when you or your child join a club. Make sure you watch the class on a normal lesson. Don't just listen to the Instructor, some like a good car salesman, can tell a good story. Remember it is you life and you child's life they are playing with. Some of these so called schools are run by 'Collecting Companies' and are very good selling there wares, putting very superior leaflet's through your door to get your money. 

Most good legitimate schools/clubs have been around for a long time, like our school, sense 1968, but even then you can not be sure!    

First book all Kids should read to help understand about Karate-Do, very easy to read and understand: The Shotokan Karate Bible - Beginner to Black Belt. ISBN 978-0-7136-7870-3                   

New for Kids karate            Updated 22nd December 2009

Look below for all winners.  

Karate of course is Self-defiance, but that is what they all say. Sport Karate, Kick Boxing etc. Sport Karate, Kick Boxing is a Sport and can be a very active but sometimes can be very dangerous. Should any of this be called Karate? I think no, Karate is Karate and nothing else  but I am sure some will disagree.

The reason Karate  is great for Children is the Dojo Kun (The Karate oath) this should be announced at the start or finish of each teaching session and this in my opinion, is the difference between Karate and Sport K and Kick Boxing. Think about it, if all Children believed in the Karate Oath and tried to emulate it and try to aspire  to this high standard ?. What would you want for your Children ?. I don't believe a Child should start at a Karate Club or any Martial Art Club until after the age of seven. Should anyone teach a Child to fight ?. I don't think so, but all Karate Clubs, Sport Karate & Kick Boxing, Taekwondo, Judo, Ju-Jitsu, Aikido etc, we all do! So if we must teach a Martial Art for Self-Defence  should we not teach any of this without teaching the Dojo Kun or the equivalent (A moral code)   

The Dojo Kun. 

One!             To strive for perfection of character

One!             To defend the paths of truth

One!             To foster the spirit of effort

One!             To honor the principles of etiquette.

One!             To guard against impetuous courage

"The ultimate aim of Karate-do lies not in victory or defeat, but in the perfection of the character of its participants"

     Quote from Gichin Funakoshi, the founder of  Karate-do (Shotokan)  

Class Etiquette

 All Martial  Art Schools / Clubs should abide by these principles.

Karate people are expected to respect each other, irrespective of grade, race, creed, age, or gender. Furthermore they must be self-disciplined, self-motivated, and able to be relied upon to fulfill their personal obligations.  Therefore it will be seen that the Rules of the Dojo reflect these principles.

If we could teach our Children to abide by these rules:

 All Martial  Art Schools / Clubs should be able to produce these documents below. 

1) A Risk Assessment Document

2) A Child Protection Document.

 3) Health and Safety of club members Document.

4) A Training procedure.

5) The Law and You (Understand Self-Defence & the Law)

6) Third Party Insurance for all Students.

Note.

Pick your school carefully, (a big School is not always the best school). Nobody teaches self-defence; what they/we teach is how to fight, for self-defence. That is why you need to be careful  not to teach thugs and why discipline helps to stop this; a lot of schools do not teach discipline.  

Email me: syl@karate-shogun.co.uk

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