On Styles of Karate

We have “Isshin; we have Goju; we have Shorin; we have Uichi; and on and on, but, why?” Do the different styles, systems, actually serve a purpose? A purpose as in regard to their essence - a means of violence to stop violence?

Yo see, the military has been divided into four systems being, “Army; Navy; Marines; Air Force!” Their essence is military might to accomplish certain social governance necessities to achieve survival of our way of life.

The Army Mission, our purpose remains constant: To deploy, fight, and win our Nation's wars by providing ready, prompt, and sustained land dominance by Army forces across the full spectrum of conflict as part of the Joint Force.

The mission of the Navy is to maintain, train and equip combat-ready naval forces capable of winning wars, deterring aggression and maintaining freedom of the seas.

The Marine Corps functions as a unique force, combining ground, aviation and amphibious assets to defend our country and its interests. 

The mission of the United States Air Force is to fly, fight and win - airpower anytime, anywhere. 

It is clear as to the difference and mission that when combined results in the worlds greatest fighting force for Democracy in our way of life.

Karate’s mission is to make use of the human body, mind, and spirit to stop grave harm or death to the tribe, family and self. 

The human body is limited in its functions: one body; two arms, hands, legs, and feet, etc., with the same limitations in regard to the bodies functional fundamental principles like structure, balance, and power generation and so on.

It becomes apparent that the styles or systems while appearing different on the surface are in reality dependent entirely on the application of strategies (mind), tactics and techniques (body and spirit) as limited by physics of fundamental principles: 

“PRINCIPLE TWO: PHYSIOKINETIC PRINCIPLES (Breathing, posture, triangle guard, centerline, primary gate, spinal alignment, axis, minor axis, structure, heaviness, relaxation, wave energy, convergence, centeredness, triangulation point, the dynamic sphere, body-mind, void, centripetal force, centrifugal force, sequential locking and sequential relaxation, peripheral vision, tactile sensitivity, rooting, attack hubs, attack posture, possibly the chemical cocktail, Multiple Methodologies [actual tactics and attack methodologies of impacts, drives (pushes), pulls, twists, takedowns/throws and compression, etc. are best for stopping a threat].”

When all is said and done, when violence rears it’s ugly head; all of us will fall back on the exact same human conditions and abilities to get-r-done. This is why almost all karate-ka in a fight, real or competitive, tend to drop into what nature and a modicum of training allow, boxing with some kicks. All that bunkai with all those neat, fun and often complicated stuff tends to disappear like steam hitting cool air.

That is why some of those masterful Okinawan karate Sensei tend to believe there “can be only one - Ti!