QuoteProject
Once a kata has been learned, it must be practised repeatedly until it can be applied in an emergency, for knowledge of just the sequence of a kata in karate is useless.
Gichin Funakoshi
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

Mastery comes from repetition and application, not just understanding.

This quote emphasizes the importance of practice and application in learning martial arts, specifically karate. It suggests that merely knowing the movements or sequences of a kata is insufficient; one must practice diligently and be able to execute it instinctively in real-life situations, especially during emergencies.

Themes

KataKaratePracticeSkillsApplication

In practice

Example use cases

During a martial arts seminar to stress the importance of drilling techniques.

More from Gichin Funakoshi

One of the most striking features of karate is that it may be engaged in by anybody, young or old, strong or weak, male or female.
Gichin FunakoshiRead
There is no first strike in Karate.
Gichin FunakoshiRead
When there are no avenues of escape or one is caught even before any attempt to escape can be made, then for the first time the use of self-defense techniques should be considered. Even at times like these, do not show any intention of attacking, but first let the attacker become careless. At that time attack him concentrating one's whole strength in one blow to a vital point and in the moment of surprise, escape and seek shelter and help.
Gichin FunakoshiRead
Karate is like boiling water: without heat, it returns to it's tepid state
Gichin FunakoshiRead
The secret principle of martial arts is not vanquishing the attacker, but resolving to avoid an encounter before its occurrence. To become an object of an attack is an indication that there was an opening in one's guard, and the important thing is to be on guard at all times.
Gichin FunakoshiRead
One whose spirit and mental strength have been strengthened by sparring with a never-say-die attitude should find no challenge too great to handle. One who has undergone long years of physical pain and mental agony to learn one punch, one kick, should be able to face any task, no matter how difficult, and carry it through to the end. A person like this can truly be said to have learned karate.
Gichin FunakoshiRead

Similar quotes

A black belt only covers two inches of your ass. You have to cover the rest.
Royce GracieRead
However impressed we may be with NVC concepts, it is only through practice and application that our lives are transformed.
Marshall B. RosenbergRead
It ill becomes us to invoke in our daily prayers the blessings of God, the Compassionate, if we in turn will not practice elementary compassion toward our fellow creatures.
Mahatma GandhiRead
Experience teaches, that men are often so much governed by what they are accustomed to see and practice, that the simplest and most obvious improvements . . . are adopted with hesitation, reluctance, and slow gradations.
Alexander HamiltonRead
The hard discipline, with the exception of one great good point, is fraught with evil. The good point is that men can do one or two things well with very little effort, having practiced them every day through generations.
Swami VivekanandaRead
Communication does not always occur naturally, even among a tight-knit group of individuals. Communication must be taught and practiced in order to bring everyone together as one
Mike KrzyzewskiRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.