Philosophy

Twenty Precepts

Never forget: Karate begins and ends with respect.
There is no first attack in Karate.
Karate supports righteousness.
First understand yourself, then understand others.
The art of developing the mind is more important than the art of applying technique
The mind needs to be freed.
Trouble is born of negligence/ignorance.
Do not think Karate belongs only in the dojo.
Karate training requires a lifetime.
Transform everything into Karate; therein lies its exquisiteness.
Karate is like hot water, if you do not give it heat constantly, it will again become cold water.
Do not think that you have to win, rather think you do not have to lose.
Transform yourself according to the opponent.
The outcome of the fight depends on one's control.
Imagine one's arms and legs as swords.
Once you leave the shelter of home, there are a million enemies.
Postures are for the beginner; later they are natural positions.
Perform the kata correctly; the real fight is a different matter.
Do not forget control of the dynamics of power, the elasticity of the body, and the speed of the technique.
Apply the way of Karate to all things. Therein lies its beauty.

Dojo Kun

HITOTSU! JINKAKU KANSEI NI TSUTOMURU KOTO!
HITOTSU! MAKOTO NO MICHI O MAMORU KOTO!
HITOTSU! DORYOKU NO SEICHIN O YASHINAU KOTO!
HITOTSU! REIGI O OMONZURU KOTO!
HITOTSU! KEKKI NO YU O IMASHIMURU KOTO!

English translation (traditional):

SEEK PERFECTION OF CHARACTER!
BE FAITHFUL!
ENDEAVOR!
RESPECT OTHERS!
REFRAIN FROM VIOLENT BEHAVIOR!