THE WAY of the EMPTY HANDS

I've been reading about the philosophy and wisdom that underlies the physical and material components of karate-do, "the way of empty hands." I'm seeking the concepts and ideas that underpin the practice in the dojo—how the kihon (basics), kata (forms), and kumite (sparring) are knit together.



Bushido: The Samurai Code of Japan by Inazo Nitobe is an attempt by a scion of a well-known line of samurai to bridge cultures. It examines the seven foundational precepts of bushido, "the way of the warrior"—justice, courage, benevolence, respect, sincerity, honor, and loyalty—and their similarities and differences to their counterparts in the West. It's an especially interesting read as Nitobe, who was a practicing Quaker, is well-versed not only in Zen Buddhism and Shinto, but also Christianity and classic texts of Western culture (the Greeks, Shakespeare, and the like).

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Karate: The Art of "Empty Hand" Fighting by Hidetaka Nishiyama and Richard C. Brown provides a layout of the core principles and pieces of what constitutes karate. It covers the history of karate; basic stances, strikes, blocks, and kicks; how such techniques combine in kata and kumite; and various types of self-defense. I'm especially intrigued by the "family trees" that show how various hand techniques, foot techniques, stances, and postures relate to one another.

My favorite passage that I've encountered so far is the following: "This speedy block [knife-hand block, shuto-uke] is a technique unique to karate. It is used in a wide range of situations, mainly to defend against an attack to the solar plexus. However, beginners often experience difficulty in performing it properly." I can confirm that last line!

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So the journey, even though it has just begun, continues. The path widens and lengthens a bit, even as some of the landscape starts to appear as familiar. I notice a few landmarks that I remember from my college days. I hope they help to guide me.