One - Seek perfection of character.
One - Be faithful & sincere.
One - Cultivate the spirit of perseverance & endeavour.
One - Respect Others.
One - Refrain from impetuous & violent behaviour.
Note: As you read the kun you should notice something. Each line begins with the number 1. Why you ask? Why not 1, 2, 3, etc.? Well, Funakoshi sensei felt that no item of the kun was any more important than another. Therefore, each item was number 1.
"The Ultimate aim of Karate lies not in defeat or victory, but in the perfection of the Character of its participants.....[to subdue the enemy without fighting is the highest skill, know your enemy and know yourself, in a hundred battles you will not be defeated]"
You may be interested to read more about the Dojo Kun & Niju Kun (20 Precepts) by reading
the following interpretation by Teruyuki Okazaki:-
"Perfection of Character: Guiding Principles for the Martial Arts & Everyday Life"
|page last updated on Thursday 16 September 2010
