written by sensei Brian George (3rd Dan)
VOLUME 2: Issue 1 Issue 2 Issue 3 Issue 4 Issue 5 Issue 6 Issue 7 Issue 8 Issue 9
ISSUE 8
Newsletter date Febuary 2000
Although Funakoshi Sensei was noted for introducing Karate-do to Japan and the rest of the western world in 1922, Sensei had already done numerous demonstrations in and around Okinawa. In 1901/1902 a karate demo was arranged at his school for Shintaro Ogawa, then commissioner of schools for Kagashina Prefecture. Apparently he was very impresed at what he saw. Ogawa repoeted back to the minestry of education. Subsequently karate became part of the curriculum of the Prefectual daiichi Middle School. (which is thought to be the school Funakosi tought in). After a very short period it was included in the syllabus of the physical education of schools for all ages.
This was the time that Funakoshi Sensei began to teach Karate-do formally, haven been given permission from his two instructors, Masters Azato and Itosu.
What does Bushiodo mean?
Well without being totally boring and going into great depth it translates "THE WAY OF THE WARRIOR." A strict code of ethical behaviour followed by the Samaruri. Bushido was formulated during the tokugawa Era, (1603-1868) of Japan, surpriseing perhaps, in peaceful times. The premis of the code was to advise a samurai how to conduct himself in battle and find a meainful place in a peaceful society. It's main tenets were loyalty to one's Lord and dutiful service. To die in the service of one's Lord was viewed as the ultimate expression of his loyalty. Bushido's sthical basis is applied in modern martial arts through the endorsement of virtues such as pride in duty, disipline in conduct, and humility in oneself.
So you can understand the way the old world samuri went from day to day with a code of honour that they were only too glad to give up their lives to uphold.
Putting this code into modern terms and adapting it for the purpose of training you as a martial ats paractitioner should if you have any pride, humility and dicipline be able to utilise these attributes.
Consider the reason why you are training in your chosen art, this done for the right reason is your disipline, how you act throughout your training is your pride, how you accept the knowledge given to you and the way you treat others is your humility.
The way of "Bushido" shold be part of your training.
