The very first move of Karate, as taken from the first Heian or Pinan form, is a step to the side with a low block. But Karate was not designed for blocking. Yes, there are blocks in the art, and it can be adapted to blocking and striking modes, but it was not designed for blocking except by the way.

Karate was designed to guard the king of Okinawa. The Imperial bodyguards were trained to use their art in a room filled with warriors from different countries. Soldiers with different weapons and ways of fighting, while the Okinawans had to remain unarmed.

Thus, would you really block a samurai sword with a high block? Would you try to deflect a bullet with a shuto? Because these were the real weapons that the Imperial bodyguards had to confront.

Consider also that the first order given samurai, if they were to attempt to kidnap the king of Okinawa, would be to handle the bodyguards. This means that samurai would move forward and grip the wrists of the bodyguards, perhaps preparatory to tying the hands, or merely moving the bodyguards from the throne room, or otherwise controlling them. And this means that the first defense of the bodyguards, as described by the first technique in most style of karate, would be to step in, dropping the weight and arm, thus escaping from the technique and head butting the men who tried to so restrain them.

That’s right, an escape from a grab, then a violent step forward to close with and punch and shove the samurai, or whoever the warriors were. This would cause chaos and confusion. This would allow the king to escape.

Now, examine the form, look at it. This is the only way it makes sense. This is the start of what the bodyguards who created the art had in mind.

If the samurai drew a sword, the bodyguard had to close with the samurai. This is the reason for the big steps in the form, to enable the bodyguards to get so close the samurai couldn’t draw their swords. This explains the moves of forms that have been adapted to block and counter moves that, really, don’t make sense in such a situation.

If a samurai attempted to close with a bodyguard and restrain him, the bodyguard had to break the grip, head butt, then push forward. This is the truth behind the first technique of karate, and this is the start of how the art was designed to work. Thinking about the movements in this manner reveals an art that is true beyond belief, but only if you can put aside the way you were taught and believe in the true art known as karate.

Al Case began his study of karate 4O plus years ago. He has been a writer and columnist for the magazines. He uses the science of Matrixing to uncover the Truth about the Martial Arts. Get his free ebook about Matrixing Technology at Monster Martial Arts.

Tags: Self Defence