CHOSHIN CHIBANA
Grand Master
Hanshi 10th Dan
1885-1969
Chibana Sensei: "In the old days we trained at karate as a
martial art, but now they train as a gymnastic sport. I
think we must avoid treating karate as a sport or as a mere physical
exercise -- it must be a martial art at all times! During
practice, one should forget everything and gather one's spiritual
energy together so that the head, eyes, hands and feet become
united. Your fingers and the tips of your toes must be like
arrows; your arms must be like iron. The fingers and toes should
become like spears so that a single kick or a single punch can
kill. This is the spirit you need in order to progress in your
training. To achieve this goal takes long, constant and careful
practice; overdoing things will only result in harm. With age the
body gets stronger, but on reaching the 50s and 60s, one must slow
down; then a different kind of strength develops."
Choshin Chibana would not take on any prospective student of bad character.
Even at the age of 80, Choshin Chibana still believed he had "a long way to go."
Grand Master Chibana's most important principles:
- Understand the kata and measure the improvement in physique so that several times one's normal strength will develop.
- In the martial arts, speed is essential.
- With karate kata practice, one's perception will become acute and one's strikes powerful.
Synopsis of Chibana Sensei's background.
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