Feb 5 in Budō and Shotokan culture
The Dōjo Kun - The 5 Shotokan Karate-do guiding principles
I've always been amazed by the beauty of these guiding principles of Karate-do practice.
In fact, it's so wonderful that through practice, the ancient masters brought out such a beautiful philosophy.
A very important thing to notice is that none of these precepts is about the physical aspect of the practice.
Because...
Karate is not a sport, it's a way.
A way of living, a way of being.
And that's why the founding fathers always placed courtesy, spiritual values and self-perfection as the cornerstone of Karate.
As master Funakoshi Gishin wrote: "Spirit first".
Traditionaly in Shotokan, the Dōjo Kun is repeated out loud at the end of each class.
And each of these precepts is a guiding and living principle that all Karate-ka strives to cultivate and respect through training both inside and outside the Dōjo.
Although the Dōjo Kun is not commonly known and used nowadays, there is a globally accepted translation in all traditional Shotokan Karate organization like JKA, JKA, JSKA, SKI and NSKF.
It can be noted that some traditional Karate organizations such as Yahara Shihan's KWF abandoned the Dōjo Kun years ago (Have they come back from this position?).
You can see this common translation in the attached picture.
But for my part, I prefer to use the following translation that I thought about ten years ago.
I think this fits better with the original Kanji (Chinese characters) and the meaning that Master Funakoshi wanted to cultivate and share through Karate.
And what’s more, it makes more sense to me and resonates more deeply in my heart.
一、人格 完成に 努める こと
hitotsu, jinkaku kansei ni tsutomeru koto
Seek the accomplishment of character
一、誠の道を守ること
hitotsu, makoto no michi wo mamoru koto
Defend the path of sincerity
一、努力の精神を養うこと
hitotsu, doryoku no seishin wo yashinau koto
Cultivate the spirit of perseverance
一、礼儀を重んずること
hitotsu, reigi wo omonzuru koto
Honor the principles of etiquette
一、血気の勇を戒むること
hitotsu, kekki no yū wo imashimuru koto
Control your impetuosity
OSS 🙏
Nicolas
PS: Here is the translation found on Wikipedia which roughly specifies the meaning of the different Kanji.
一、人格 完成に 努める こと
hitotsu, jinkaku kansei ni tsutomeru koto
jinkaku = personality, kansei = complete (perfect), ni = to, tsutomeru = endeavour
一、誠の道を守ること
hitotsu, makoto no michi wo mamoru koto
makoto = truth, no = 's, michi = path, wo = with respect to that, mamoru = defend
一、努力の精神を養うこと
hitotsu, doryoku no seishin wo yashinau koto
doryoku = effort, no = ’s, seishin = spirit, wo = with respect to that, yashinau = cultivate
一、礼儀を重んずること
hitotsu, reigi wo omonzuru koto
reigi = courtesy, wo = with respect to that, omonzuru = honour
一、血気の勇を戒むること
hitotsu, kekki no yū wo imashimuru koto
kekki = vigor (impetuousness), no = of, yu = courage, wo = with respect to that, imashimuru = refrain
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The Dōjo Kun - The 5 Shotokan Karate-do guiding principles
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