By Dale Adamson, Naples Karate Club

"There is no first attack in Karate" is quote that is posted in most dojos and referred during classes in my club and in the Merritt Island dojo. I am particularly inspired by the quote of master Funokoshi- "To win 100 victories in 100 battles is not the highest skill. To subdue the enemy without fighting is the highest skill. Karate ni sente nashi."

We, the deshi of Shorin ryu, over time have developed a skill and confidence unique to a true traditional martial art. In any given situation, whether it is personal, business, or physical defense, our confidence and attitude will often determine the outcome. A "normal" person would meet a problem or crisis with emotion, his fight would be weak and emotionally driven, and eventually he would be beat. For myself, through the training with Kyoshi, Sensei Judy and my sempai, I have learned to allow karate to control my anger/fear.  Once I have decided that the situation is worth the fight, my commitment to fight can be conveyed to my opponent without raising a fist. Kyoshi refers to this in the green book, I'll paraphrase it - as a williness to use your skills if necessary to defend yourself will often end the  physical fight before it begins. Over several hundred years our Shinden taught hundreds of deshi these techniques through kata, preparing them for a battle, and we should try to do the same. Arigato, Dale Adamson, Naples