(MENAFN- Arab Times) We have a duty here in the State of Kuwait towards our Karatikers in which we teach them the spirit of Japanese martial arts and also how to increase the bonds between Kuwait and Japan. We don't teach violence, we teach peace because there is no first attack in Karate, so we teach them to be peaceful in mind and heart, said Sensei Dr Ali Khuraibet, General Manager Japan Karate Association-JKA Kuwait as he delivered his opening speech at the JKA Kuwait Annual National Championship opening ceremony Saturday at the GUST indoor sports hall.
Underscoring the importance of the ceremony in which the Japanese Ambassador, Toshihiro Tsujihara was in attendance, Dr Khuraibet said the Ambassador's presence increases the bond of friendship between Japan and Kuwait. "We are very much interested and also have this high esteem for Japanese culture and in Japanese culture we have this word "Gomo' or "Gidi" which means obligation and duty. And we have a duty here in the State of Kuwait towards our Karatikers, in which we teach them the spirit of Japanese martial arts and also how to increase the bonds between Kuwait and Japan. We don't teach violence, we teach peace because there is no first attack in Karate, so we teach them to be peaceful in mind and heart".
The annual event with 150 participants, which is the national championship, in which participants compete among each other and also have grading for belts of participants done, from brown to black or from black to higher black belts.
A Japanese master, Koichiro Okuma, comes every year from the Headquarters in Japan to Kuwait to train participants, sometimes staying for a month or two weeks training participants and grading them. All grading are certified from the Headquarters in Japan. This year's event is special because the Japanese Ambassador and his staff are all attending.
As to what the event has done to advance the cultural bond between Japan and Kuwait, Khuraibet said it has done two things, first it has increased the spirit of voluntarism, and also it teaches them to be respectful and peaceful, "You know we learn Karate not to hurt people but to be helping and supporting people, so this is the whole idea of Japanese Karate, we support and help, not to use it in a violent way against them".
Khuraibet added that the main core of Karate means empty hand, we use our hands and feet without any weapon, and if somebody has a weapon we can defend ourselves, but even then we don't use it, because we have a principle in Karate, which says "Karate Ni Sentinash", which means, there is no first attack in Karate, so we don't attack".
Certificates of appreciation and plaques were presented to participants and officials as well as the Japanese Ambassador to Kuwait followed by a demonstration of Karate moves for about twenty minutes before the event moved for a close.
The founder of modern Karate, Gichin Funakoshi from Okinawa, first demonstrated his powers to the Japanese public in 1922 in Tokyo. Funakoshi established his first Dojo in Japan in 1936. The Japan Karate Association (JKA) was created in 1955 with Funakoshi as the Chief Instructor. The name Shotokan is derived from Funakoshi's pen-name, Shoto and the Japanese word for hall, kan.
Master Funakoshi's precept says that the ultimate aim of karate lies not in victory or defeat, but in the perfection of the character of its participants. Karate is beneficial both physically and mentally: you will improve your physical fitness and flexibility, you will have a better understanding of body dynamics, a greater awareness of your surroundings, a greater ability to defend yourself, and the ability to control your emotions in high pressure situations. Most of all, Karate will build your self-confidence in everyday life.
There is no first attack in Karate. Every Karate move always begins with a defense. Karate is based on respect, discipline, relaxation and calm awareness. An aggressive, emotional attitude is contrary to the philosophical and practical nature of the martial art. Funakoshi said that "The spirit of Karate is lost without courtesy". In Karate one learns the values of kindness, sincerity and self-control. The students are taught to be bold and gentle, and to have confidence and humility. These contrasting combinations eventually lead to total harmony of body and mind. This is the true aim of Karate.
Karate is the ultimate in unarmed self-defense. It is designed to disable with one move; it has techniques against all forms of attack and has been developed through centuries of harsh experience. Most importantly, it trains the mental and emotional skills of combat, as well as the physical. Strength and size are not important in Karate - it can be performed well with whatever strength you have, by relying on technique, speed and co-ordination. Karate teaches you how to avoid possible confrontations - it is far better to de-fuse or to avoid a dangerous situation than to confront it.
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