The twenty principles as laid down by Funakoshi Gichine the founder of Shotokan Karate.
- Karate-do begins with courtesy and ends with courtesy.
- There is no first attack in karate.
- Karate is a great assistance to justice.
- Know yourself first, and then others.
- Spirit first: techniques second
- Always be ready to release your mind.
- Accidents always comes out of negligence.
- Do not think that karate training is only in the dojo.
- It will take your entire life to learn karate: there is no limit.
- Put your everyday living into karate and you will find the ideal state of existence.
- Karate is like hot water. If you do not give it heat constantly, it will again become cold.
- Do not think that you have to win. Rather, think that you do not have to lose.
- Victory depends on your ability to distinguish vulnerable points from invulnerable ones.
- The battle is according to how you manoeuvre guarded and unguarded. Move according to your opponent.
- Think of the hands and feet as swords
- When you leave home, think that you have numerous opponents waiting for you. Your behaviour invites trouble from them.
- Beginners must master low stance and posture; natural body position for advanced.
- Practicing a kata is one thing, and engaging in a real fight is another.
- Do not forget
- a. Strength and weakness of power.
- b. Stretching and contraction of the body.
- c. Slowness and speed of techniques. Apply these correctly.
- Always think and devise ways to live the precepts every day.