The Teaching Way: A Karate System

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The Teaching Way/Teachings (Kyo-do [教道])

A Karate System (Karate Kei-do [空手系道])

There is a difference between a system and a style, i.e., a style is a manner of doing something; a something of a distinctive appearance; to design or make in a particular form; or a designate with a particular name, description, or title. A system is a set of connected things or parts forming a complex whole; a set of principles or procedures according to which something is done; an organized scheme or method (methodologies).

When a karate program is referred to as a style that is true because said style is a particular manner of doing the empty-hand discipline, it has a distinctive appearance derived from the creator and it is designed in a particular form with a particular name, description, and title.

When a karate program is referred to as a system, that system is a set group of things or parts that form a whole by a set of principles and methodologies according to something done as in fighting, competing and/or self-defense. The system is organized and with minor modifications can be used to achieve goals, goals being fixed end results such as survival. 

The big, glaring, difference I see from this model toward today’s karate teachings is most are styles consisting of many goals such as basics, kata, self-defense techniques, etc., while the model I am implementing in my training, practice and studies is a system consisting of fundamental principles with sub-principles, multiple methodologies and levels of force toward a gaol of survival using self-defense. 

In the past my teachings and articles spoke of both styles and systems as if they were one and the same yet that is and was not my intent. A style can encompass a system therefore both can be applied with certain distinctions mentioned. Saying style/system is indicating that in my view the style of Isshinryu is being taught, trained and studied as a system while the styles particulars are used as tools in that endeavor to demonstrate and practice the use of fundamentals, methodologies and force requirements/levels. 

To my mind, styles are designations toward a system symbolized toward a certain character and personality of both that style and toward its creator so that individuals can find a style that best meets their own personalities and character. Once chosen it is suggested they find out if it is just a style being taught or is it a style teaching a system as described? 

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