“VICTORY ITSELF IS NOT THE ULTIMATE GOAL OF TRADITIONAL KARATE”
 
 
As the original karate, traditional karate evolved from Japan as a martial art and is a culmination of martial arts philosophy  and technical basis of karate-do and is based on the concept of the “finishing blow”, a technique sufficient to destroy an opponent.
 
As a self-defense art, the size of the opponent is not known nor is it relevant.  For this reason there is great emphasis on self-defense principles that demand preparation for defense against any opponent regardless of size.
 
Traditional Karate as a competitive art uses competition as a means to further train and enhance human development by improving emotional stability, mental discipline and proper etiquette.  During competition, everything is based upon the art of self-defense with the principle that a finishing blow offers no second chance,  therefore, traditional karate competitions are single point matches minimizing the use of careless actions and sloppy techniques.
 
On the other hand,  presently and for years past there has been an emergence of new karates which derived their techniques and orientations from the punching and kicking basis from Traditional Karate.  While appearing to be similar, these new karates made some crucial modifications. The most critical being the emphasis and philosophy from a self-defense martial art to a multiple point game that uses punching and kicking in the broadest and most general sense.  Points are awarded for quickest and closest hand or foot to the target eliminating the requirement  of  the “finishing blow”.   As a result, the application of impact force through total body action and maximum use of potential/kinetic energy is not necessary leading to traditional karate body dynamics being completely opposite of new derivative karates.
 
Here in San Antonio, we continue to promote the practice of Traditional Karate in the style of JKA-Shotokan.  Our lineage of training is from Mr. Funakoshi, Mr. Nakayama and Mr. Nishiyama. Our instructors hold Dan rankings awarded by Mr. Nakayama and Mr. Nishiyama.  We’re affiliated with the International Traditional Karate Federation (ITKF) , American Amateur Karate Federation (AAKF) and JKA-Shotokan Southwestern Dojos.
 
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