FOUR PILLARS OF KARATE

 by Phillip Starr

There is an old Okinawan adage that reminds us that proper karate training consists of three essential parts, although they also include a fourth. These are sometimes referred to as the “Three (actually, Four) Pillars of Karate.” It is believed that one must practice all of them and refrain from neglecting any one of them. And they apply to all other martial disciplines as well...

The first pillar is Kihon (basics). Without regular (as in “daily”) practice of these, everything else falls apart. They must be practiced and continuously polished until they become a part of you. There is no end to striving to perfect the kihon. Beginning students often just lob them out into space, but this will lead nowhere. Each punch, each kick must be executed with yi (intention) and a strong spirit.

If we compare martial arts to language, the kihon are the words. They mustn't be garbled or mispronounced.

The second pillar is Kata (forms). As with the individual kihon, kata must be practiced and polished daily. It isn't necessary for you to practice ALL of the kata that you have learned every day; in fact, trying to do so would end in disaster! You'd quickly become bored, discouraged, or frustrated (or all of these) and discontinue your practice. You must FOCUS on the kata 100%. Select just one or two to practice on a given day.

If the kihon are words and phrases, so the kata are sentences and paragraphs that comprise a book. They are the ways of expressing the kihon in a coherent manner.

Kumite is the third pillar. It does not, however, refer only to freestyle sparring; it refers instead to practice routines that involve a partner. There are numerous two-person training routines besides sparring and training with them properly will develop genuine fighting skill. These include three and one-step fight, and freestyle one-step fight. Because they require a partner, such routines cannot necessarily be practiced daily, but they can and should be practiced in every class.

The Makiwara (literally, “rolled straw”) or striking post forms the fourth pillar. It will ensure that your Kihon are correct and it will polish, strengthen, and sharpen them. If the kihon are compared to using a sword, the makiwara is the sharpening stone. And it is where the blade is tempered. You wouldn't want to rely on a dull blade or one that's fashioned out of cheap iron, would you? It's better to have a razor-sharp sword made of the finest steel. And the striking post will make sure that you do.

An old friend of mine, “Sherm” Harrill once said, “Any karate school that doesn't have a makiwara is just teaching people how to dance.” And I agree. It's akin to a boxing school that is void of heavy bags...

Remember these Four Pillars. They're what your art and skill are based on.