Karate in recent years has burgeoned into prominence as a sport. In its original form it was an extremely effective method of unarmed self-defense.

The average student learns Karate for self-defense, of course, but the physical conditioning aspect is also of primary importance. As the Karate pupil develops, he is taught to apply his knowledge by sparring with fellow students. Such contests afford the pupil an opportunity to test and polish the techniques that he has learned from the sensei, or teacher, at the Karate Dojo (school).

But behind the physical manifestations of Karate lies a deep current of philosophy, an underlying code, a mystique that is sometimes puzzling to those not familiar with the sport and its iron-clad regulations. The training chants, the bowing, the militaristic, almost feudal discipline imposed by the sensei all seem to the outsider as something from another age, almost another world. And, indeed, this is in some degree true. The origins of Karate lie deep in the mists of Oriental history. But there are many who feel that Karate, if it is to continue its rise in popularity in the United States, must become more "Americanized." This is not to say that the rituals, the courtesy, the adherence to the Bushido code of endurance, discipline and courage should be discarded as anachronistic or vestigial. But some of the terms, for example, could be translated to the American idiom. Karate can reach fresh minds and fresh talent in this country more efficiently if the growing legion of Karate enthusiasts and fans understand what is going on.

There must first be change if there is to be growth.
This applies, in a very strong sense, to Karate, surely one of the noblest arts of them all.

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