‘Oral truths’ are the means of any folk Art’s transmission. As Craig accurately explains, when Karate invented for itself a way to transmit the Art en masse to the public starting at the turn of 20C, it had to invent terms, structure and uniformity. The Art went from being taught with one instructor and just a few students – each student having a customized and personalized version of what the instructor had to offer. How do we know this? corroberated oral truth. for example, it’s widely accepted thru independant accounts that Higashionna/Higaonna taught one or two kata to each student – but they were not the same kata for every student. The kata were selected by him based on the strengths and capabilities of each student.
The way this ties in and is important to the research is that, imagine how an Art would change if it went from one-on-one instruction to ‘mass production’. Karate history and it’s changes of the past 100 years or so fits that model. I could give a bunch more specific examples of how oral truths can help illuminate the transition of karate from a vagely named folk art to an Art geered for public consumption.

That ties in with my second point…’need’. What purpose has Karate served? I think is another key question to examine. Today, it largly serves a niche part of the health&fitness industry and competition sport. Pre-WW2 it served a small part of Japan’s war machine, by providing a niche within it’s youth health/fitness programs. conformity was the order of the day and custom instruction would have been unthinkable. It was also during this time that the ‘Fukyugata’ and ‘Gekisai’ kata were created. These kata differ from the ‘classical’ kata in that they are much more linear, easier for a beginner to learn, and contain basic principles of movement which are later built upon. They are simply training kata, not kata designed to ‘fight larger opponents’ or other such non-supported myths.
But prior to Karate making it’s public debut (

Many decry Funakoshi Gichin for being a betrayer of that cultural trust, but in reality he took a modest system of self-preservation and/or bodyguard techniques and made it palatable to the modern world. He packaged it understanding the Japanese sensibilities. He made them feel it was their art, in order to bring some recognition to the Okinawans. The outlet was post-Meiji restoration Japan and the result was the myriad combative arts and martial ways of the Okinawans, Koreans, Japanese, Americans and countless other Japanese/Chinese/Okinawan influenced arts that we see today. Those who are entertained by the pure physicality of the MMAs realm or the brutality of a K-1 match have Western Boxing, Thai Boxing, Japanese Judo and most importantly Okinawan karate to thank. I still find it amazing that very few people understand the importance or magnitude of Okinawa’s contribution to the modern martial arts world.

When modern martialists or whatever they want to call themselves, want to lump all karate together as ineffectual pseudo self-defense mixed with dance moves they defame themselves and their supposed M.A.s. Most will never know true karate-jutsu, but the vanguard of “the real” is out there in very small numbers. This tiny, humble, peaceful chain of islands spawned a world-wide phenomenon of doppleganging and diluted imitation. Who cares if it was ever used by the Ryukyuan people in true combat? The likes of Bill Wallace, Joe Lewis, Chuck Norris, Andy Hugg, etc. have used it in simulated mano-a-mano combat for decades, so I guess that makes it legitimate as a M.A.. That was not its original purpose, but modern questions need a modern “answer” like these, I guess.

Additionally who really cares about documentation when you have a truthful representation of the original form in your possession? I speak of good modern karate of course, much of it from the Okinawan ryuha.

The Battle of Okinawa destroyed a lot of this sought after evidence, but the Okinawan people have tried there best to keep the information intact. Westerners always want to now why and what’s the proof (unless it comes to their religious beliefs). That is something that hampers many average people in the West. Knowing that you make correct decisions for your life and having faith in your ability to discern what is true for you is key, nothing else. Knowing that while you’re an apprentice you need to shut your trap and just learn is key. To understand that karate was an amalgam of indigenous fighting techniques mixed with chuan fa as well as Japanese fighting traditions such as Jigen Ryu is not enough. To know that its original intent WAS for Okinawan self-preservation and betterment, whether culturally, personally or otherwise, I feel is the main point many are missing. Thanks again for your scholarly endeavor. :)