ISSHINRYU — Codes of Karate:
1. A person’s heart is the same as heaven and earth.
2. The blood circulating is similar to the moon and sun.
3. The manner of drinking and spitting is either hard or soft.
4. A person’s unbalance is the same as a weight.
5. The body should be able to change positions at anytime.
6. The time to strike is when the opportunity presents itself.
7. The eyes must see all sides.
8. The ear must listen in all directions.
The above Code of Karate is not to be just read or memorized,
it is to be studied and analyzed, and ultimately used as a guide to your ways of karate and of life.
Code 1. A person’s heart is the same as heaven and earth. The wise warrior understands his own heart, and the balance in it. He can see the dichotomy which exists in his heart and this gives him the ability to see into the hearts of others. With this skill he can understand and help others.
Code 2. The blood circulating is the same as the moon and the sun. The alternating phases of light and darkness, as symbolized by the sun and the moon, give this earth its life. Without darkness plants could not survive. Without light plants could not survive. With both, there is life. Man is the same. Without evil, man could not exist. Without goodness, man could not exist. With both, man is who he is. it is therefore dictated that light and darkness are in the blood as well as in the sky and it is that balance between the two which gives man life.
Code 3. The manner of drinking and spitting is either hard or soft. In the martial arts, there are two ways of dealing with force. A man can meet force head on, colliding with it, or a man can redirect force, gently or firmly, and wait for the force to dissapate of its own accord. There is a proper situation for using hard or soft. This is true in life. There are times when hardness is required, and there are times when softness is required. The true warrior knows the appropriateness of each.
Code 4. The person’s unbalance is the same as a weight. ln a fight-. if a man is unbalanced, his own weight will drag him down, and he will fall. In life— if a man has preconceptions and cynicism, he is not balanced. He is not in harmony. His own suspicions and beliefs will be that weight which will ultimately drag him down. A warrior will remain as balanced as he can be and will make use of his opponent’s imbalances to lead them to their downfalls.
Code 5. The body should be able to change motion at any time. In a storm, one can see the branches of mighty oaks broken and shattered, lying about. Yet the seemingly fragile willow tree bends and moves easily in the winds and thus does not break. It is equally important for the warrior to do the same— unyeilding will be broken, but moving in the direction that nature dictates will ensure success.
Code 6. Action to hit is when the opportunity presents itself. If a warrior fails to hit in a fight, he will be defeated’. If he fails to take advantage of opportunity in life, the same will be true.
Code 7. The eye must see every way. This is true in many ways. Not only should a man be able to see his opponents and be aware of them, he must be able to see into his opponents. It is said that a man’s soul can be seen through the eyes, and that intent can be divided this way. The experienced warrior should possess this skill.
Code 8. The ear must listen in all directions. Even the most stealthy of ninja cannot help but make a slight noise with each footstep. With proper training and care, a warrior can be sightless and still be able to find his opponents and defeat them.
