Twenty Precepts of
Master Gichin Funakoshi
hajimari, rei ni Karate-do wa rei ni owaru koto wo wasuruna
In karate, start with a bow and finish with a bow.
Karate ni sente nashi
No initiative attack in Karate.
Karate wa gi no tasuke
Karate is a great assistance to justice.
Maxu jiko wo shire, shikoshite tao wo shire
Know yourself at first and then others.
Gijitsu yoi shinjutsu
Spirit first: techniques second.
Kokoro wa hanatom kuto wo yosu
Be ready to release your mind.
Wazawai wa getai ni shozu
Accidents come out of idleness.
Dojo nomino karate to omou na
Do not think that you can learn karate only in the Dojo.
Karate no shugyo wa issho de aru
It will take your entire life to learn karate.
Arai-yuru mono wo karate-ka seyo, soko ni niyo-mi ari
Karate-ize everything.
Karate wa yu no goto shi taezu netsudo wo ataezareba moto no mizu ni kaeru
Karate is just like hot water. If you do not give heat constantly, it will again become cold water.
Katsu kangae wa notsu na makenu kangae wa hitsuyo
Do not think you have to win. Think, rather, that you do not have to lose.
Tekki ni yotte tenka seyo
Victory depends on your ability to tell vulnerable points from invulnerable ones.
Tattakai wa kyo-jitsu no siji ikan ni ari
Move according to your opponent.
Hito no te ashi wo ken to omoe
Consider your opponent's hands and legs as you would sharp swords.
Danshi mon wo izureba hyakumon no tekki ari
As soon as you leave home for work, think that millions of opponents are waiting for you.
Kamae wa shoshinsha ni ato wa shizentai
Low stance for beginners; natural stance for advanced students.
Kata wa tadashiku jissen wa betsu mono
Practicing a KATA is one thing and engaging in a real fight is another.
Chikara no kyojaku. karada no shinshuku. wazu no kankyo wo wasuruna
Do not forget (1) strength and weakness of power, (2) bending down and stretching up of body, (3) slowness and speed of techniques.
Tsune ni shinen kufu seyo
Devise at all times.