20 Precepts of Karate (Nijū Kun) - Gichin Funakoshi

20 Precepts of Karate (Nijū Kun)

    Gichin Funakoshi, the founder of Shotokan Karate, outlined 20 Precepts of Karate (Nijū Kun), which serve as philosophical guidelines for practitioners. These principles emphasize character development, discipline, and the deeper meaning of martial arts beyond physical techniques. Here they are:

1. Karate begins and ends with courtesy. (礼に始まり礼に終わる - Rei ni hajimari rei ni owaru)
2. There is no first attack in karate. (空手に先手なし - Karate ni sente nashi)
3. Karate is an aid to justice. (空手は義の補け - Karate wa gi no tasuke)
4. First know yourself, then know others. (先づ自己を知れ而して他を知れ - Mazu jiko o shire, shikashite ta o shire)
5. Spirit is more important than technique. (技術より心術 - Gijutsu yori shinjutsu)
6. Be ready to release your mind. (心は放たん事を要す - Kokoro wa hanatan koto o yosu)
7. Misfortune comes out of idleness. (禍は懈怠に生ず - Wazawai wa ketai ni shozu)
8. Do not think that karate training happens only in the dojo. (道場のみの空手と思ふな - Dōjō nomi no karate to omou na)
9. Karate is a lifelong pursuit. (空手の修行は一生である - Karate no shugyō wa isshō de aru)
10. Apply karate to all things; therein lies its beauty. (凡ゆるものを空手化せよ其処に妙味あり - Arayuru mono o karateka seyo; soko ni myomi ari)
11. Karate is like boiling water; without heat, it returns to its tepid state. (空手は湯の如し絶えず熱を与えざれば元の水に返る - Karate wa yu no gotoshi; taezu netsu o ataezareba moto no mizu ni kaeru)
12. Do not think about winning; think rather of not losing. (勝つ考えは持つな、負けぬ考えは必要 - Katsu kangae wa motsu na; makenu kangae wa hitsuyō)
13. Make adjustments according to your opponent. (敵に因って転化せよ - Teki ni yotte tenka seyo)
14. The outcome of a battle depends on how one handles emptiness and fullness (weakness and strength). (戦は虚実の操縦如何に在り - Ikusa wa kyojitsu no sōjū ika ni ari)
15. Think of your hands and feet as swords. (人の手足を剣と思へ - Hito no teashi o ken to omoe)
16. When you step beyond your own gate, you face a million enemies. (一足歩めば敵を見よ - Issoku ayume ba teki o mi yo)
17. Formal stances are for beginners; later, one stands naturally. (型は正しく 実戦は別物 - Kata wa tadashiku jissen wa betsumono)
18. Perform kata exactly; actual combat is another matter. (力の強弱 体の伸縮 技の緩急を忘るな - Chikara no kyōjaku, karada no shinshuku, waza no kankyū o wasuru na)
19. Do not forget the employment of withdrawal as well as expansion. (常に思念工夫せよ - Tsune ni shinen kufū seyo)
20. Be constantly mindful, diligent, and resourceful in your pursuit of the Way. (道の上に在り - Michi no ue ni ari)

© The World Shotokan Karate-do Masters Union