Kerate’s methods of training the individual may be loosely divided into two categories: the tangible and the intangible. The former consist of the four limbs for striking, the eyes for increased peripheral vision, the waist and tanden for power, and footwork to manouvee the body. its most power- ful weopon is the foot, with its con- Siderable striking distance; yet for many styles, the hands remain Karate’s most versatile and important weapons, The main physical principles of Karate are maximum strength, gained by the conversion of speed into striking force, the concentration of power by co- ordination of muscles, and the use of breath control; its psychological principles are equally important: the familiar mizu no kokoro, or mind Ike water, and tsuki no kokoro, mind like the moon, that reflects without distortion the actions and even pre- meditations of the opponent. The accurate prediction of the opponent's movements, combined with a thorough knowledge of oneself, is a vital part of Karate training; for as a Chinese martial artist wrote:“If we know the other man and dnow ourselves, there is no fear in a jiundred bates, If we do not knew the other men but know ourselves, the odds ore even. If we Know neither the other man nor ourselves, there is great danger in a hundred batties."* Principles that include both physical and psychological factors are the practice of kime, or the focus of alt energies in an instant on the specific target, and hen-o, the apprehension of attack and adoption of the right counter-téechniques in a single action. Such unity of mind and body must be partly responsible for the kind of power that led the Japanese Govern- ment to require registration of the hands of accomplished karateka as lethal weapons; a power that led Oyama to contemplate on death as the martial artist's daily companion:‘In Japan poets... dikened the warrior fo the cherry blossom... Onemoment the tree it decked our in eternal beauty, the next a wind arises and the petals flutter to the ground. But there is no cause for tears because text year the tree will present the same brave ditploy. The life of the warrior was like that of the cherry blossom, [tf was dedicated to his country and when the Hime eame it wor laid down without hesitation. "® FOOTNOTES: i. Orama, Masutateu, This is Karate, Japan Pub, Trading Co., Tokyo, 1965) p32. 2 Draeger, D,, & Smith, R., Asian ‘ghtin Arts. (Ward Lock & Co., London, 1969) . 86. 3. Dyama, op. cit, p. 319. X koicunt” Ge "ay. Study of Judo, «, Foust & bo, Loudon, 1960) p. 25. . 1 OP. p. 319, 6. Dreger & Smith, op. dt, p. BT.