I’ve always believed that most people who start Karate in the West do so with self-protection in mind. Not wishing to fight anyone of course, but learning how to fight or defend themselves for sure. Some may disagree and say that they started in the Martial Arts for fitness, socializing or health reasons, which is fair enough. However, are gyms and other more health conscious or sporting activities not more suited!?

I did say start training in Karate! Because I do accept that once one has trained in the Arts for a number of years, then ones reasons for training can indeed become more varying. As without doubt the biggest challenges then to be faced are with oneself, achieving a calm balanced mind, pushing through the physical and mental hardships of training, goals set, self-motivation and even laziness all have to be regularly overcome. Plus after a time you kind of start to just train regular without thinking fighting if that makes sense…

However, I still believe it is the kicking, punching and striking aspects of Karate that attract most, plus the supposed prestigious black belt of course. Realistically who honestly wouldn’t wish to be able to defend themselves at a time of need!? Anyone saying otherwise I find difficult to believe. Rather then that they or a family member be beaten to a pulp? Sorry this doesn’t really add up. Hey, I accept that everyone doesn’t wish to practice Karate or any Martial Art, but to practice a Karate that is totally ineffective at a time of need I’m not quite so sure about. The problem here is that a lot of Karate can be flawed on the self protection front if one is not careful.

Over the years I accumulated and have probably read a thousand or so books on various Martial Arts. More recently though I have narrowed things down to a valued hundred or so for reference. One book in this treasured collection that I have had for many years is Fighting Karate by Hideyuki Ashihara, the reason being is that for times of need I always felt that this was as good a basis as any to work from. It’s certainly not a work based on form or nice looking techniques.

I was then pleasantly surprised recently when I saw the you tube clip advertised below. It doesn’t show a lot of Ashihara, but it made me smile, plus I doubt very much if Mas Oyama was afraid of anyone that’s for sure. However, what it does do is act as a reminder that regardless of how or why you practice Karate, to always keep one eye on the fact that Karate was foremost a Fighting Art. As you never quite know when you may need it…