The following was composed by Itosu Anko, a prominent karateka of his generation, in 1908 when he was seventy-seven years of age. It was sent to the Ministry of Education of the Prefecture of Okinawa.
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Karate was not developed from Confucianism, Buddhism or Taoism. In the old days two styles of karate, Shorin-Ryu and Shorei-Ryu, were introduced from China. Both styles have their strong points and support sound principles. It is vital that they be preverved and not altered. essential points are recorded as follows.
- Karate is not only for physical development. It provides the fortitude to devote body and soul to defend justice and public good. The objective is not to win duals with others. The objective is to avoid bodily harm in case being attacked by thieves and criminals.
- Karate training strengthens muscles and bones and develops a physique like steel and rock. Hands and feet become weapons. However, karate training also cultivates bravery and valour. It should be introduced in our grade schools. If children start karate training in grade school, they will be well prepared when draft into military service. After defeating Emperor Napoleon, the Duke of Wellington said, "The Battle of Waterloo was won on the playing field of our schools."
- Karate training cannot be rushed. Like a bull on a long journey, step by step will eventually cover a thousand miles. If one trains two to three hours everyday, after three or four years of dedicated effort, an average person will experience a great physical transformation and begin to grasp the essence of karate.
- In karate, the proper coordination of hands and feet is essential. They need to be trained sufficiently using the makiwara. With shoulders down, chest relaxed, feet firmly planted on the ground and focus energy at the abdomen, strike the target one to two hundred times each day.
- Karate posture requires the back to be straight and the shoulders down. With feet firmly planted, focus energy at the abdomen and fuse the lower and upper parts of the body into one unit.
- Karate has a large number of techniques. Each technique has to be studied with clear understanding of how it is used in accordance with the situation. They could be strikes, blocks, kicks, throws and grabs. This knowledge was mostly handed down orally.
- If karate techniques were for improving health only, they would be done differently as compare to training for self-defence. Clearly determine the objective and training accordingly.
- Karate training should be done with the feeling of actually in the battlefield. Strikes and blocks have to be delivered as for real. Only constant training in this manner can gradually prepare one for real situations.
- Karate training must be done in accordance with one's physical strength and condition. Excessive training is harmful to one's body and can be recognized when face and eyes became red.
- Karate practitioners, since the old days, usually enjoy a long and healthy life. Karate training strengthens muscle and bone, improves the digestive organs, and regulates blood circulation. If karate training were introduced into the physical education curricula of our grade schools we will produce a large number of strong young men.
With the above ten essential points in mind, if the students at the Teachers College take karate training, they could, after graduation, introduce the discipline in the local grade schools. In ten year's time, karate would be disseminated throughout the entire nation. It will be of great benefit to all citizens. It will also be a valuable asset for our military forces.
Itosu Anko
October 1908
