Mamoru Beki Mono — Value Must be Protected 守るべきもの

Mamoru Beki Mono 守るべきもの [pronounced “ma-more-ooo beh-key moh-no”] literally means “that which must be protected” or "value must be protected" — and encapsulates a profound philosophical principle that resonates deeply across cultures but finds particular expression in martial traditions, especially karatedō. This concept suggests not only that valuable things require protection but also embodies a universal truth: anything of genuine worth will inevitably face opposition or attack.

To put it clearly: all good will be attacked and everything of value must be defended.

Defending Value with Karatedō

In karatedō, this principle manifests both physically and philosophically.

The fundamental techniques of blocking (uke-waza) in karate weren't developed arbitrarily but emerged from the recognition that vital points of the body – those things that must be protected – will be natural targets for attack. The head, throat, and core are defended through techniques like jodan uke (upper block), gedan barai (downward parry), and chudan uchi uke (middle inside block) precisely because these are the points an opponent would most likely target.

This physical manifestation serves as a metaphor for a deeper truth: everything of value in life requires vigilant protection.

Just as a karateka must maintain constant awareness (zanshin) to defend against potential attacks, so must we remain vigilant in protecting our principles, relationships, and values. The concept extends beyond mere physical defense to encompass the protection of ideals, culture, and moral principles.

The Paradox Inherent in True Good and True Value

The seeming paradox of Mamoru Beki Mono 守るべきもの lies in its implicit recognition that opposition is not merely incidental but intrinsic to value.

In other words, only what is good and of value will be attacked.

In karatedō, this understanding is embedded in the training methodology itself.

The kata (forms) practiced in karate weren't designed merely as artistic expressions but as repositories of combat principles, each movement acknowledging that where there is something to protect, and there will be something (someone, actually) seeking to defeat that protection.

This principle manifests in several key aspects of karatedō:

1. The concept of kime (decisive action and focus) represents the understanding that defensive capability requires both physical and mental commitment. Half-hearted protection is no protection at all.
2. The practice of bunkai (application analysis) teaches that every defensive movement must be understood in the context of a real attack. This reinforces the understanding that protection isn't abstract – it exists in response to specific threats.
3. The emphasis on personal development in karatedō recognizes that physical techniques alone are insufficient. True protection requires philosophical strength and wisdom to discern what is truly worth defending.

The Greater Good in the Greater World

The relationship between value and opposition extends beyond martial arts into every sphere of human existence.

Institutions require constant vigilance against the tendency to become corrupt and to lose sight of their core mission. Scientific truth must be defended against misinformation. Cultural heritage must be protected against erosion or distortion. Even personal relationships require ongoing nurture and protection against the forces of neglect or misunderstanding.

This understanding has profound implications for how we approach both training and life.

In karatedō, it manifests in the concept of shingitai (spirit-technique-body), suggesting that complete protection requires development across all these dimensions. We must be strong, yes. But strength isn't enough. We need to back strength and physical conditioning with correct technique, and neither are enough without a strong philosophical foundation and strong spirit. Any weakness in one aspect compromises the whole.

The principle of Mamoru Beki Mono 守るべきもの also helps explain why karatedō training emphasizes personal development alongside technical proficiency. The ability to protect what is valuable requires more than just physical capability – it demands wisdom to recognize what is truly worth protecting and the strength of spirit to persist in its defense. This is reflected in all the concepts inherent in karatedō.

Moreover, the concept helps us understand why traditional karatedō training is often demanding and sometimes seemingly harsh. The rigorous nature of training reflects the understanding that real-world challenges to what we value will not be gentle or accommodating. Just as a karateka must face challenging training to develop effective defensive capabilities, so must any worthwhile protection be developed through serious effort and dedication.

The universal application of this principle explains why similar ideas appear across cultures and traditions. From the Latin phrase "Qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum" ("Let him who desires peace prepare for war") to the modern concept of deterrence through strength, we see recognition that valuable things attract opposition and require active protection.

Maintenance Matters

It is true that many times what we hold to be good does, in fact, come under attack by those that might do it harm. But this doesn't really tell the whole story of the wisdom in Mamoru Beki Mono 守るべきもの

Many times, the threat to what is of value to us is sheer laziness and inattention. The actual maintenance of everything we hold to be good requires our strong energy and deep commitment. We practice this every time we train at the dojo, and sharpen our kyokudo (intensity) and nintai (indomitable persistence), for instance.

Maintenance may not present the same call to arms that an active attack might, but we are much more likely to let what we value come to harm by inattention than because of a failure to repel some sort of assault.

So much of our training in karatedō is "maintenance" – we do not chase the idea of some new kata or some novel bunkai: rather, we continually train the kata we know, and practice the bunkai that works.

The new coat of paint on the building we constructed protects it from rust and crumbling bricks; extra pushups keeps our body strong; and meditation on core concepts of karatedō strengthens our spirit in the face of adversity. All of this is maintenance, and all of this matters deeply in the defense of our good.

Appreciating All That Is Good, and of Value

At its heart, we should see Mamoru Beki Mono 守るべきもの as reminding us to appreciate all the incredible good in our lives. We are so incredibly lucky and blessed to live where we do, to be able to do the things we prize, and to have the people in our lives that love us and respect us.

Each of us, in this modern world, has unimaginable luxury, safety, and opportunity. We live in a time and place that stands at the apex of human development, and we have the opportunity to further that apex even higher and farther, if only we work hard enough and have enough vision (and the right vision).

We are part of relationships that give us both the chance to be the heroes that we aspire to be, and we also are the reason for other people to be heroes. What a great privilege this is!

In the most basic and true analysis, the reason that all we hold good and everything we value will become attacked is because it is so valuable.

Our Defense must be with Irresistible Vigor

In our contemporary context, understanding Mamoru Beki Mono 守るべきもの becomes increasingly crucial. In an age of rapid change and information overflow, identifying and protecting what is truly valuable becomes both more challenging and more essential.

Mamoru Beki Mono 守るべきもの reminds us that passive appreciation of value is insufficient – active protection is necessary.

The lesson of Mamoru Beki Mono 守るべきもの in karatedō extends far beyond the dojo. It teaches us that protection must be active, not passive; comprehensive, not partial; and sustained, not intermittent. Whether we are protecting physical well-being, intellectual integrity, cultural values, or personal relationships, the principle remains the same: that which is valuable must be defended, and that defense must be as sophisticated and committed as the challenges it faces.

This understanding should inform how we approach both training and life. It suggests that we should:

• Understand that opposition to value is natural and must be anticipated.
• Develop and maintain a commitment of strong spirit that is stronger than the forces that oppose us.
• Constantly train, and develop strategies and tactics for meeting and defeating future challenges to what we value and we find good.

Mamoru Beki Mono 守るべきもの represents more than just a principle of martial arts – it encapsulates a fundamental truth about the nature of value and the necessity of its protection. Through the lens of karatedō, we can better understand both the physical and philosophical dimensions of this truth, and better prepare ourselves for the essential task of protecting what matters most in our lives and our world.

Editor's Note: This lecture was delivered by Sensei at the Goju Karate dojo in New York City on 5 February 2025.