The Essence of Karate-do

Sensei (Teriyuki) Okazaki, interviewed by Jose M. Fraguas, in "Shotokan Legends":

Q: So what happened to [your two roomates you were training with]?

A: Well, we were going to test for black belt under Master [Gichin] Funakoshi, so I was very serious about it. My roommates decided they wanted to quit. But I had made a promise and was pushing them to their limits in the training sessions in the early morning and in the afternoon. I insisted that they train for the test. Well, they passed the test but I flunked! Master Funakoshi said I was not good enough. My attitude was bad, very bad. I flunked many times because of it. I was a young guy thinking in the wrong direction. Master Funakoshi picked up on this right away. It was not my techniques which made me fail the test, since it was equal to the other students who passed, but my attitude. Finally I got really depressed so I went to ask Master Funakoshi why I failed the test. Of course, everybody was shocked that I actually went to speak to him. That never happens in Japanese traditional culture.

Q: What did Master Funakoshi say?

A: He said that he really understood my problem and that he was going to tell me the essence of karate-do -- but that I should be very prudent with its use. Then he sat down, and I did the same with great ceremony. I was so excited, and Master Funakoshi seemed to be really concentrating. I was nervous, and after a while he leaned over and said, "You know, Okazaki, the true essence of karate-do is to keep training -- keep training everyday."

Q: Was that what you expected?

A: I don't think so, but I haven't stopped training since. After that, my attitude changed and finally I got my black belt.