Bruce Costa - Welcome To Karate: Unlocking the Wisdom of the Beginner’s Mind

Unlocking the Wisdom of the Beginners Mind

BRUCE COSTA

YMAA Publication Center

Wolfeboro, NH USA

YMAA Publication Center, Inc.

PO Box 480

Wolfeboro, NH 03894

800 669-8892

ISBN: 9781594398414 (print) ISBN: 9781594398421 (ebook)

This book set in Optima, Alexa, and Zapfino.

All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form.

Copyright 2021 by Bruce Guido Costa.

Edited by Doran Hunter.

Cover adaptation by Axie Breen based upon Bruce Costas original design.

Photography and photo editing by Aaron Mitchell Photography.

Original Heian Shodan diagram Albrecht Pflger, used with permission. Adapted for an English-speaking audience by Bruce Costa.

Dachi, Tai Sabaki, and Embusen diagrams by Bruce Costa.

Illustrations provided by the author unless otherwise noted.

20210901

Publishers Cataloging in Publication

The author and publisher of the material are NOT RESPONSIBLE in any manner whatsoever for any injury which may occur through reading or following the instructions in this manual.

The activities described in this manual, physical or otherwise, may be too strenuous or dangerous for some people. The reader(s) should consult a physician before engaging in them. Neither the author nor the publisher assumes any responsibility for the use or misuse of information contained in this book.

Nothing in this document constitutes a legal opinion nor should any of its contents be treated as such. While the author believes that everything herein is accurate, any questions regarding specific self-defense situations, legal liability, and/or interpretation of federal, state, or local laws should always be addressed by an attorney at law.

When it comes to martial arts, self-defense, and related topics, no text, no matter how well written, can substitute for professional, hands-on instruction. These materials should be used for academic study only.

With good reason, I dedicate this book to my three grown children.

Among we whove founded martial arts schools, how many were young parents at the time? The benefit of that stoic lifestyle is the birthright of our daughters and sonsbut they didnt ask. Therefore, for having undertaken their fathers requirements with aplomb, I offer this book to Granite Forest Dojos excellent first three students: Alexandria, Zachariah, and Samantha Costa.

They are most precious to me.

Founder, International Shotokan Karate Federation

It is with pleasure that I submit the foreword to this handbook by Mr. Bruce Costa. It is always heartwarming for me when a student of mine not only continues to train but also makes the decision to share their experience and training with others. Bruce first began his Shotokan karate training with me as a student at Temple University. Many university students, once they finish their academic commitment, discontinue their karate training. However, it is fortunate for the many students Bruce has guided in the karate community that he remained true to this martial art.

This manual is a helpful tool for the beginner student. It explains the proper dojo etiquette as well as the basic kihon, kata, and kumite. It is always beneficial to guide the beginner student to what they can expect on a journey they will hopefully continue for their entire lives. What is most important for them to remember is that we never stop learning.

Studying martial arts is a life-long endeavor. You are never finished, and there is no graduation. This is because the hardest technique you will ever have to study diligently is to do your best to strive to attain your main goal, which is perfection of character. This can only be achieved if you do your best to live by the Dojo Kun and the niju kun. These guidelines will help you to be a good martial artist and a good human being. When you open your mind to accept these precepts, you will then begin to learn how to be a true martial artist. In the dojo, you are learning the tools to protect yourself and your family. But you are also learning the tools to be a good human being. You must train hard and keep your Dojo Kun not only in the dojo but also in your everyday life. When you treat others with respect and courtesy, they will respond to you in the same manner.

Respect and courtesy are contagious. When we treat each other this way, we will be making a contribution to making the world a better place. This is our ultimate goal.

Authors note: Throughout his adult life and throughout the world, Grand Master Teruyuki Okazaki ( , June 22, 1931April 21, 2020, student of Gichin Funakoshi and Masatoshi Nakayama) was respected not only for his position, but for his legendary skill in kara-te. During the four decades I benefitted from his mentorship, I came to understand how his generous grace and good humor were equally deserving of such high regard. For all these reasons and more, his willingness to compose a foreword for this small book has been my profound honor.

Early in my practice, Sensei (as we all singularly called him in those days; every other teacher was Mr. or Ms.) provided my first exposure to the concept he called soshin ni kaeru, wherein we were to conceptually return to a time before having learned, in order to have the most receptive possible attitude. To this day, such open-mindedness enables me to attend classes Im supposedly overqualified for and pick up new information. It works every time. I have used this skill in countless areas of my life. It is the reason for the subtitle of this book.

Thank you, Sensei.

The ultimate aim of the art of karate lies not in victory or defeat but in the perfection of the character of its participants.

Master Gichin Funakoshi

I am fortunate beyond words, but they will have to do.

I begin with the team Im so happy to have joined, especially YMAA publisher David Ripianzi, editor Doran Hunter, typesetter Tim Comrie, designer Axie Breen, and publicist Gene Ching. In addition to their decades-honed professionalism, theyve brought me hours of happy martial arts philosophizing. I await many more as we bring you the