Shuhari — The Stages of Learning 守破離
Shuhari describes how we learn and the stages that we must pass through to gain skills and knowledge in every part of our life, including in our karatedō.
Jison (Jisonshin) — Self-Respect 自尊 (自尊心)
Jison (sometimes written as Jisonshin) is self-respect. Self-respect is a key characteristic of the successful karateka and must be trained, nurtured, and protected.
Kizuna — Community 絆
Kizuna represents the community that is our dojo, and the bonds that we form and nurture with our fellow karateka. But it also represents the greater communities we inhabit outside the dojo.
Hana Yori Dango — Dumplings over Flowers 花より団子
Substance over style, necessities over luxuries. Karatedō teaches us to deeply consider true value and to prefer it to empty cosmetics and shallow things and people. A karateka is a man or woman of substance, as well as style — but substance first.
Fudoshin — The Ready Mind 不動心
Fudoshin is the ready mind that makes you mentally, physically, and emotionally immovable. With fudoshin, the karateka is implacable, unmoved by the forces around him.