Why Are You Practicing?

In his interview, Royama Sensei talked about one time when he and Nakamura Sensei held a rank testing at a dojo in Saitama. The karatekas performed the usual calisthenics, kihon, kata, and kumite. While observing, Nakamura Sensei asked Royama Sensei, "For what purpose are they practicing kata and kihon? Their techniques have no life at all."

It was a sharp rebuke to what Nakamura Sensei observed as a lifeless, nonchalant display of rote karate techniques, simply going through the motion. I do not feel that the students at the dojo were particularly lackadaisical by most people's standards. But it's obvious that in the master's eyes, their techniques lacked the "soul" of karate, the do-or-die determination that should be present in the martial arts. From this experience, Royama Sensei realized that his own practice of karate was little more than a "disco-dance", simply moving the body and feeling good afterwards. I suppose he is trying to be humble. Royama Sensei was a successful competitor prior to becoming Nakamura Sensei's disciple, and he had a strong reputation as a fighter. But still, in Nakamura Sensei's eyes, his and many other karateka's techniques lacked the true deadly intent of karate. This is why he had said to the stunned Royama Sensei, "You do not possess any karate technique." 

This story made me realize how long and winding the karate journey is. Even the simplest technique deserves our utmost attention and effort.