22 Historical Karate Quotes That Might Shock You

[@KARATEbyJesse]

Thanks for your awesome comments! 😄 Glad to hear the quotes resonate with y’all. 👍 Remember to visit my website: www.karatebyjesse.com 🥋

[@willdgol7501]

“If karate used defend honor, defend life, karate mean something. If karate used defend plastic metal trophy, karate no mean nothing.” Mr. Miyagi

[@amilcaralvarez4928]

😄

[@isleiff]

Great quotes, food for thought. But it misses my favourite one: "Train hard, good luck and have fun!"

[@KARATEbyJesse]

Thanks! I’m not the kind of guy who quotes himself 🙃

[@Beelzeboss64]

Nice Jesse, but it misses "Always restomp the groin". Master Ken

[@eugenedalen6421]

Hahaha.

[@danpearman270]

Ah, but would that be a quote that shocks you?

[@clFer777]

@@danpearman270 in the groin, yes indeed ^^

[@welingtonmattos806]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@cbotha24]

My favourite is from the poet Matsuo Basho. “Do not seek to follow in the footsteps of the wise; seek what they sought.”

[@bongothom]

I can't imagine any of those quotes being posted in any dojo near me. . Here in the United States, the Japanese word "karate" translates to "after school day-care".

[@KARATEbyJesse]

😂😂😂

[@stanleylee4807]

That's true...sadly.

[@stevewaters1516]

@Pvt Reefer that's robbery is that the standard?

[@stevewaters1516]

@Pvt Reefer that's unfortunate I guess I been lucky in that my instructors have been reasonably priced n generous with there time I can remember me n my cousin staying 2 hours afters class just practicing n my teachers were glad to just explore n techniques n answer questions

[@stevebriner3362]

@Pvt Reefer id really like to start up again after 25 years, but the high prices and lack of Karate dojo around me are barriers. Most places around here are TKD or mma/grappling schools. And like what was said, most gyms are almost all for kids.

[@efrenmontes8783]

It’s very interesting to see that we can find the answers to many “modern” problematics just by looking in to the past. Karate is evolving, and that’s great, but we shouldn’t forget the knowledge from the past, and keep it in mind to make karate progress in the correct way. Awesome video!

[@KARATEbyJesse]

”On Ko Chi Shin” (Study The Old, Understand The New) 💪💪💪

[@denhamdagger6762]

The majority of instructors just don’t talk like this anymore. I guess it has allot to do with treating Karate as a business and not a way of life.

[@KARATEbyJesse]

The actual need for physical self-defense is also different in modern Western society compared to rural Okinawa. It’s all about context.

[@elasticharmony]

The hand gun, has left people think you don't need hands. They should learn there are limits to handguns. Also, the place of these kind of men is different today, it is the ability, we may not be that great yet. Then wisdom will dawn, ...

[@GothamCity85]

One of my favorite martial arts quotes is, " Never kill when maiming is enough and never maim when disabling is enough," Chuck Norris. I've had a deep respect for Mr.Norris because of his attitude towards proper use of force.

[@clFer777]

I am shocked by the depth of Kenwa Mabuni's mind.. I was lucky enough of being formed by a great Sensei of Shotokan, who since the first class taught the "one hit, one death" philosophie.. This is no game, even if it's a sport, because the mind it's not from sports.. One single punch without kime it's wasted time. Great content Jesse Sensei

[@bobsmitty2119]

Amazing. It reminds me of my sensei. He encouraged rather than discouraged me to use my boxing with my karate, and to include other techniques that would make it more effective for me. He told me: "What I'm teaching you are the letters and words. It is up to you to form the sentences."

[@safdarkh786]

"We must avoid treating karate as a sport!" **shots fired**

[@KARATEbyJesse]

😅😅😅

[@ccsiz]

2:32 damn.... that means my karate must be full of flavor 😂

[@KARATEbyJesse]

Drunken master 🤪

[@lainutsuho5422]

My karate gave me liver complications 🤣

[@BWater-yq3jx]

I always remember: "Karate without makiwara is useless!" - Morio Higaonna?

[@garybryant7274]

As is Kata without Bunkai...Well said!

[@marthaviracocha2040]

Great reminder that every time we practice karate, we have to keep in mind the aplication of the technique and not only the beauty of the form. Greatings from Ecuador, keep the good job.

[@WhiteApeMA]

This is incredible. This not only applies to Karate but Chinese systems as well. And with the focus on function in forms emphasised in alot of these quotes, it is a clear message that that's how forms were all origionally intended, be they the kata of karate or the taolu of kung fu. The sequence of movements in any form will never have the depth of even just one of those movements with its purpose and function understood and practiced. At least that's what I've learned. Great video!!

[@KARATEbyJesse]

Most definitely! 👍 The roots of Karate can be found in China 🥋 Form and function are two sides of the same coin 💪

[@MajuKetchup]

As a karateka from a modern sports style, I like to see that even some of this old Masters, are willing to let Karate evolve as a hole. Even in a sports style we need to learn to hit hard. It's a Martial Art not a dance lesson. At last I want to put down a quote from my Master: "The Hip is the Engine of Karate. Every Action is started by it and ended by your breath, which is the fuel"

[@stevebrindle1724]

The Hip!! Always the hip, its the engine of power in combination with all the other aspects that give good timing!

[@Sharikacat]

I understand where Chibana comes from about not wanting karate to be a sport. Fighting for fun wasn't something people did back then, and further back, you might even need to kill someone, so purposefully making your application non-lethal could result in your own death. Fortunately, things have progressed beyond that era.

[@nappyheaded]

22 quotes of not mentioning the greatest karateka who ever lived Oyama Mas

[@MajuKetchup]

@@Sharikacat In my humble opinion you can learn to strike hard and do your kata. Technique and Strength is only one part of beeing a good fighter. The other half is learning to control a fight and know what to do and when. This stuff can only be learned in a fight. Sports Karate trains this while reducing the risk of injury. My style (MSK) teaches also to do series until your initiative runs out or the referee yells yame.... Never stop after one move!

[@brunowg331]

I must say they are very inspiring. If I may add, Sensei Enkamp, could you please do a video on possible ground fighting and submission techniques from various katas. Again thank you.

[@chrisrobinson4091]

Absolutely Love these quotes Jesse and I've come to realise (unfortunately later in my martial arts life) that I've needed to change my attitude to my karate. Thank you for posting this and your other posts. You have such an insight to martial arts for someone of a young age and I wish I had the chance to do the same when I was young. Anyway I'm trying to play catch-up at 67, thanks again.

[@loki200]

"It is necessary to drink alcohol" said sensei, so cheers :)

[@dr.davidwho4053]

😁 Hmm? Is he a master also of Drunken Fist Kung Fu?

[@junichiroyamashita]

Well, call me Shutendoji then!

[@eliogarcia3963]

Why does he say that?

[@loki200]

It was a Part of the Video. The quote goes in the direction of not becoming a monk or a holy man when you study your martial arts, but be just a human and enjoy life. What enjoy life means is up to you. For the Sensei it was drinking alcohol and party hard :D I guess.

[@junichiroyamashita]

@@loki200 you know,it is somewhat strange,i believe that one would have to renounce the human pleasure in order to walk the path of martial arts.

[@edrichlouw1790]

People have a tendency to project themselves onto things and that’s how these misconceptions start. It’s not restricted to karate, it frequently happens to history, religion and although lesser amongst those who study it even science.

[@ItsTheMWalk]

"Even science." Very true.

[@olliwaa]

"If someone attacks you, I mean REALLY attacks you, do you have confidence in your Karate?" - André Bertel

[@KARATEbyJesse]

Good! 👍 (But the Dunning-Kruger effect begs to disagree 😜 )

[@olliwaa]

@@KARATEbyJesse Haha, so true :-)

[@joari123]

@@KARATEbyJesse ha, genial😂

[@fRikimaru1974]

@@KARATEbyJesse These Dunning and Kuger guys just discovered adolescence 🤣

[@MajinGaijin]

So good. I found myself grinning with appreciation throughout the entire video. Thanks for bringing this to us, Jesse.

[@KARATEbyJesse]

My absolute pleasure!

[@conformitatisosor]

It's so good to see you quoting Master Ohstuka! Thank you for the videos!

[@Mr.Cockney]

A policeman taught me once the quintessential of karate: “since groin kick was invented, men ceased to be divided into tall and short”.

[@clFer777]

Nice one

[@googesowders8622]

Totally love this . This goes so well with what some of my instructors said in Japanese jiu-jitsu . That 700 years it was about survival . That through Chin -Na the Okinawans even had knowledge of ground skills . But through the years they had got taken out. Or divided into judo.

[@hiranom20]

I was surprised to see Mikio Yahara's philosophy included. As a Shotokan practitioner, I really like that his approach even today is about "bujutsu karate". He imo is maintaining a foundation that Shotokan had and (generally) pissed away. Very few well-known masters today are known to be about that. Vinicius Anthony from Brazil comes to mind. Take Shotokan, or any karate otherwise, and try to adapt it to work today, against the popular fighting methods of today, or otherwise.

[@gbormann71]

I'm sure he was actually paraphrasing Itosu's first of 10 articles as quoted in McCarthy's version of the Bubishi.

[@MDMiller60]

Wow. These were the most inciteful concepts I have heard in a long time. I I had been told some, felt and experienced some, and learn some anew. Thank you Sensei Enkamp.

[@trinhnityolivarez4657]

Some had same teachings as my sensei. To block is to break what's coming and to punch is to destroy it. Kata if I remember to defend and strike different opponents that attack you, Works with breathing, and opens your mind. Thanks for the video sensei Jesse

[@ainako255]

imo, and I love this, Motobu has the most easy going yet brutally practical philosophy

[@KARATEbyJesse]

He was a straight shooter 😎👊

[@ainako255]

@@KARATEbyJesse I feel like Motobu's the karate sensei Bruce Lee would've gotten along with most from a theoretical standpoint.

[@AntN]

I gather Motobu had a lot of practical understanding of fighting from his streetfighting/brawling days. His take on karate is grounded in that perspective. The kata he was most expert in is naihanchi which, according to some, is the deepest of the katas.

[@greenhoundgaming]

Truly appreciate this, when we bow in and say onagaishimasu, it is asking for the sempai, sensei, and past masters for guidence. At the closing of class we say domoarigatōgozaimasu to thank them for the knowledge. Thank you Jesse.

[@jakesizer6483]

I loved all the quotes, especially the ones from Mabuni and Itosu since by background is shito ryu.

[@KARATEbyJesse]

Awesome! 🌟 PS. Itosu and Mabuni trained together with most of the people quoted... because they didn’t care about ”styles” 😄👍

[@ecologiaenlacultura]

Incredible! So many thoughts, so many people, but we all want the same. Beautiful, thank you Sensei Enkamp

[@wingchunsaskatoon576]

That was a fun listen, and truer words could not be spoken. Thanks for that. In Wing Chun, I believe our most famous quote is "Greet what arrives, escort what leaves, and rush upon loss of contact." IpMan. Respect to you.

[@cjlogic6908]

Those quotes... It's like listening to the old spirit of karate itself. Thanks for the video!

[@loki200]

I just rewatched this video and can't say how inspiring it is. Thanks again for grabbing those quotes up and making this video!

[@BWater-yq3jx]

"Karate has no philosophy. Some people think it came from Buddhism and has a connection with the space and universe, but I don't believe in that. My philosophy is: It's fun kicking people!" (Yahara/Wallace)

[@KARATEbyJesse]

HAHA! 😂💪👍

[@BWater-yq3jx]

@@daniel-zh9nj6yn6y Of course it is. But you can see why Yahara said that: The origins of Asian martial arts are very much intertwined with Buddhism (Bodhidharma, Shaolin, etc.)

[@oscarclaudio2848]

@@daniel-zh9nj6yn6y thats so true

[@akshimjames5011]

But the real quote was badass....

[@BWater-yq3jx]

@@akshimjames5011 Yes it was. And this one... 2:33

[@kevinreese8224]

My quote: All of the quotes you mentioned 😁 Favorite: Always walk away, and if you’re then attacked, you showed mercy, so the response is justified and the outcome determined by fate. By pretty much every worthy O Sensei I have known in some form or another.

[@pedro.claudino]

I'm not shocked, I'm relief and glad to be in the right direction.

[@juanagustinmunizaga7697]

Muchísimas gracias por regalarnos esta maravillosa compilación de pensamientos y experiencias.... Oss

[@willdgol7501]

“Never trust spiritual leader who cannot dance.” Mr. Miyagi

[@pledgestone]

I was unaware of these writings, but this is the way I was taught, and it was also the way my mind filled in the blanks of what I wasn't taught. I have always striven to be a complete fighter, but still considered myself a karate man. In addition to karate, I have black belts in judo and hapkido, and have actually spent the majority of my time training self-defense and boxing over the past 40 years, but it is all karate in the final analysis.

[@larrycope8034]

Great wisdom and insight that can be applied to all forms of martial arts..👊

[@brianwilliams8033]

Sensei Jesse, actually 15 of these are actually my favorites. Okinawan Karate-do, as Toyama Dai Shihan stated, there really are not styles, just different ways of teaching Okinawan Karate. Love this!

[@eddiemaiden2012]

Thank you for sharing

[@d.hamilton9027]

Yet another fulfilling class filled many masters perspectives.

[@christopherblade5984]

Beautiful. Quotes in the haze if time, that stand good stead in the world of today.

[@anderrandon5684]

well, my sensei always said "anyone with two guns can be a shihan" and that stuff is deep xD

[@KARATEbyJesse]

Haha 🤪

[@robbybee70]

isn't one gun enough

[@mohamednihal92]

@@robbybee70 I have yet to find an instruction video to defend against someone with two guns... Maybe that's too much for even the gun defense experts.

[@robbybee70]

@@mohamednihal92 you don't see vids about how to defend from dinosaurs either....

[@onlyhuman7420]

Thank you Jesse so much for providing the best content on the art of Karate.

[@VishalKumar-by3bf]

I feel really motivated after reading this.....thanks for sharing jesse sensie.....love from India.....oss🥋

[@KARATEbyJesse]

Fantastic!!

[@randys5435]

My favorite: "Nothing is more harmful to the world than Martial Arts that is not effective in actual self defense " this can bs said about many schools today.

[@danielhaire6677]

One of my favorite quotes on forms came from my first instructor's master. Grandmaster Chung Koon Ma. He was providing over a promotion test I was taking, and he said this to my group after we got done with our Poomsae (Korean equivalent to Kata): "Do you know what a poomsae is? It is more than just a series of technique. It is a story of a fight. Your fight! When you fight, do you step timid or strong? Is your fist weak or solid? Do you fight with a weak spirit or everything you are? Make a form reflect the warrior you want to be." I learned this when I was 8. It still guides my practice of forms to this day.

[@TKDPWR]

Its amazing. Even back in the old days the masters advocated to cross train so Karate could be a complete system. Karate today os so watered down. Thank you Jessie. How about a best karate book list?

[@KARATEbyJesse]

I already provide my best resources in my free 7-day Karate Nerd email guide! Check it out on my website 👍

[@rodexccs]

EXCELLENT video. EXCELLENT! This compendium is great! Thank you for including Kanken Toyama on this presentation

[@tkdguy5494]

I remember in UFC 2 there were two karate guys fighting. And they were clearly open for a choke and one of the commentators said, “Its amazing they aren’t taught this stuff”... i can only imagine how different those early UFCs might’ve been if they were taught real karate.

[@larrydicus7822]

A quote I have used for many years is, "If it doesn't hurt, your doing it wrong ".

[@therandomtalk2633]

It's awesome Sansei! It shows why you are so experimental and mention your style as a combination of adaptions from all forms. Thoughts are actually thought provoking! Thanks for sharing!

[@bountyhunter1303]

Awesome video.. What I learn in my training we take from the past, kata, forms, different system, how to adapt to what is best for each individual student. It not a sport, but a way to approach how to grow and learn how defend yourself, whether being "attacked" or just everyday life. My eskrima instructor like my karate instructor, kata beginning find within the kata or form what works for you. We train locking, throwing, grappling n situational awareness. This seem be spirit of these quotes to me. Dont be locked to a "style", incorporate the systems that help you be best martial artist you can.

[@kanagharta9783]

love it! always nice to learn what the previous masters really wanted to teach through their practice. thank you for shearing with us!

[@mack93936]

thank you for the quotes . they give a real insight into what true karate is.

[@paulthe2mikolajdupontsrens586]

Wow that’s so cool and awesome.very relaxing music in the background of this video. Oh and I am getting closer to the end of my healing of my injury to my right knee and then I’ll be back and training in martial arts again.

[@mistermindahenziandalasnus3754]

3:18 Kenwa Mabuni said be like water before Bruce Lee did.

[@mr.8999]

Thank you for sharing sensei.

[@KARATEbyJesse]

My absolute pleasure 👍

[@lizb9148]

I really love the quote on how karate should not be fully turned into a sport (or something on similar lines), sure, we can have a sport side To karate such as Kumite competitions for fun and exercise :) but we also need the traditional side too for mental purposes, for the history and our own personal journeys to the martial art. Really loved this video sensei Jesse !!

[@lorenzogiaconia223]

Even if now I am a MMA / Muay Thai pratictioner, the love for karate is still alive. It is my favourite MA and the most complete one... (obv studied in the right way, the same way you and these old and great master used to teach)

[@dylhemsley9458]

Fascinating. Thank you for posting this. In fact, thank you for all the work you do on here. You have really made me see Karate in a different light.

[@BruceAChristie]

I like your scholarly, open minded approach to karate.

[@jimenahar]

Me encantó la selección! Gracias, Jesse San!

[@csabaorosz1651]

Thanks for collecting all oft his quotes Sensei, you did a great work with the narration! :) I honestly think these mindsets should be thought in every dojo, as they are the core of what Karate really is. Keep up the good work, and thanks for your teachings, Osu!

[@KARATEbyJesse]

Thanks, glad you liked it 🌟

[@Yamabushi37]

The great masters have spoken

[@mawashi-geri6162]

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Some food for thought here, particularly to the application of kata and evolution of karate.

[@richardrichar4272]

In all honesty all this showed/taught me is that we must strive to better ourselves and understand that the only real limitations in karate is that of ourselves as we tend to take things at face value and disregard what really matters but then again that may just be me and with that I may be wrong regardless of that I thank you for the video and the information I found in it

[@kevinpincon9247]

First thank you for your work, nice to see someone studying a martial art without losing sight of the context. Nice quotes, reminds me jeetkunedo ideas way before Bruce Lee or Dan Inosanto.

[@josebarahona8033]

Love it very inspiring, my sense always had something to say n end of the class about how we need to live each other without no crossing the line between us, no body is perfect.

[@Martialartsreflections]

Keep up the great work Jesse! I share alot of philosophy and spirituality that many dont seem to realize are connected

[@stephanglanzl6604]

...good to see that the founder of "my" style (Chojun Miyagi) had the same approach to fighting/learning like me... Thank's for sharing Jesse San!

[@KARATEbyJesse]

He was a total Karate Nerd! 😃🥋👍

[@sainandkamat9869]

This video makes me feel like to punch a heavy bag for 24 hours.

[@stanleylee4807]

Sainand Kamat Remember to put your body and hips into each punch.

[@clFer777]

@@stanleylee4807 I would give you 1.000 thumbs up this if I could. Really the spirit of Karate

[@theironfox2756]

ALL of these quotes ring true with my recent understanding of Okinawan Karate, except Funakoshi since he wasn't Okinawan. But still his did as well. This is great! It means my ideas of how karate was applied was correct!

[@jefflajuett737]

This video really touched my soul, thank you.

[@Blitzo2876]

My favorite karate quote: you fought well, but you need more training to defeat me. But best quote of all time is by Bruce Lee. I don't mean the water one. Don't fear the man who practices a hundred kicks once but fear the man who practices one kick a hundred times. I live by this quote sensei. *Bows*

[@wdvest8333]

I have ALWAYS KNOWN THESE STATEMENTS. I studied shotokan karate, Funakoshi style, all my life. Master Funakoshi was the most honorable human being I knew.

[@kungfusansootsoilihofuthun8895]

Not shocking at all. The only way that was taught to me in 1975 and how i teach today. Tons of knowledge pouring like a tsunami from this awesome channel.

[@theironfox2756]

That first quote rings true with my recent studies and understanding.

[@jimk3363]

Very interesting quotes! These masters were so modern, I wonder how things got so dogmatic today. It was partially because this attitude and the lack of realism in the sparrings that I left shotokan for kudo and bjj.

[@weirdo4653]

enlightening messages!

[@donaldduke2233]

I was happy to see a quote from Otsuka Shihan. I studied Wado Ryu under him for a short time when he came to New Orleans in the 1970s.

[@silentsamurai6622]

So amazing and fantastic views of the different Masters.

[@humsaru7726]

All qoutes are truly heart touchable and very useful in daily life of a karate practitioner or students 👏👌🙍oss! As usual Jesse video is great.Hats off to u sensei .🙏👌👏👏👍

[@kushalreddy8991]

Karate is not only a martial arts to fight to a opponent but also to fight yourself and your life -kushal

[@FirstDan2000]

Good to see them all in one place.

[@jihoshin598]

Thank you for posting these.

[@thomasohare]

Very interesting indeed. Very strong argument there for a mixed striking and grappling approach. For example when Funakoshi said "3 years for a single kata" presumably he meant studying the applications in depth aswell, i.e. the joint locks and throws aswell, and practicing those techniques aswell. In that sense each individual kata could almost be seen as a "style" in and of itself. Or am I overcooking it there?

[@dirkrose6331]

Amazing quotes, all complement a lot of the karate reality, Thanks a lot for Sharing

[@moradabadkarateassociation9670]

🤩 really great Jesse...you find these quotes. That’s awesome!!!!!!!!

[@junjun_8070]

"it is necessary to drink alcohol" - one of the most important karate practitioners ever cheers mate, I'll drink to that

[@varanid9]

This shows why Gichin Funakoshi truly was the man who castrated Karate.

[@MDMiller60]

From the beginning of my serious training, around 1966, I knew I wanted to learn a system that focused on self-defense not competition. My very first exposure, about 6 months in '63 and '64, was an Okinawan dojo at Camp Lejeune, while I was in the Marines. I was fortunate to participate in Kyokushin, Kokondo, Kenpo, Pai Lum Kung Fu/White Lotus, back to Kokondo, onto Seirenkai, and back to Kenpo. The longest span was Kokondo and Seirenkai. Kokondo, Seirenkai, and Kenpo were well focused on self-defense.

[@pertefracas1525]

When did you participate in all these martial arts ? During your 6 months in the Okinawan dojo or after ? If after, you learned karate in Okinawa ? Did all these practices and teaching in Okinawa and after, were they different/better than the way martial arts are practiced and teached now ? (If yes, in what way ?). What did you stick to after and during how much time ? Sorry for asking you all these questions but your story and your experience are very interresting and I would love to know more about your experience during Okinawa and after in martial arts too, and more details, if you don't mind. Sorry for my english and sorry if I bothered you with all these questions and m'y curiosity.

[@agussurya6530]

Very awesome..thank you Sensei Jesse

[@lalo-ys1ji]

Thank you jesse sensei... 😀

[@sukotsutoCSSR]

4:39 I love this quote. Martial arts shouldn't be tarnished with the spiritual or philosophical, and vice versa. Historically, the only reason why they incorporated tenets of philosophy in martial arts was because it was denounced by Confucius as "barbaric". To be able to continue practicing for the battlefield without scrutiny from polite society of the time, martial arts schools started incorporating Confucian concepts into their curriculum and jumbling up the spiritual and philosophical into something as simple and pure as martial arts spread from here on out. Today, we see McDojos more concerned with protocols, karate kid quotes, and fancy belts than learning how to defend themselves from real violence

[@ItsTheMWalk]

To make something socially acceptance hence society's justifications. Very good input! It can be compared to the chivalry code. The Medival Knights were from an era that greatly emphasized on refinement. And Knights had to carry out savage action. For it to be socially acceptable, the "refining" chivalry code was formed for that purpose.

[@davidlopez7209]

You can't make mcdojos without mccustomers. You missed philosophical point of martial arts. It's a tool, like the many you'll learn in karate. The philosophy you'll run into is there to develop another side of you. A side that makes just as much of an impact as the sides developed in kihon, kata, and kumite. Some teachers valued that more than physical training. Without the correct application of philosophical points, a warrior, a martial artist, a man in his journey through life never truly applies himself, never truly finds out what he's capable of.

[@kategrant2728]

The other association with religion and spirituality comes from temples needing their own warriors, since these temples were major landholders, and you needed people to protect and enforce your source of income. Buddhist martial arts to collect taxes for wealthy Buddhist Abbots, Taoist Martial Arts to collect taxes for wealthy Taoist Abbots.