Niju-Kun -二十訓

The Niju Kun is a set of twenty guiding principles formulated by Gichin Funakoshi, the founder of Shotokan Karate. While Shotokan Karate-do Richmond offers rigorous physical training and opportunities for competition, the Niju Kun emphasizes that the true purpose of karate lies in self-improvement, discipline, and ethical conduct, not merely winning medals.

Karate begins with a bow (“Rei”) and finishes with a bow.
In karate, never attack first.
One who practices karate must follow the way of justice.
Know yourself first, then you can know others.
Spirit and mind are more important than technique.
Be ready to release your mind.
Misfortune comes out of idleness.
Don’t think that what you learn from karate can’t be used outside the dojo.
It will take your entire life to learn karate.
Put karate into your everyday living; that is how you will see its true beauty.
Karate is just like hot water; if you do not give it continuous heat, it will become cold.
Do not think that you have to win; think, rather, that you do not have to lose.
Move according to your opponent.
In conflict, you must discern the vulnerable from invulnerable points.
Consider your opponent’s legs and arms as you would lethal swords.
Be aware at all times that you have millions of potential opponents.
For full awareness in natural stance, practice ready position as a beginner.
Practicing kata is one thing; engaging in a real fight is another.
Do not forget: strength and weakness of power, contraction and expansion of the body, slowness and speed of techniques.
Always create and devise.

空手道は礼に始まり礼に終わることを忘るな。
空手に先手なし。
空手は義の道に従う者である。
まず己を知り、次に人を知る。
技術よりも心と精神が重要である。
心を解き放つ準備をせよ。
不運は怠惰から生じる。
道場だけの学びだと思うな。
空手道の修行は一生を要する。
空手を日常生活に活かせば、その真の美を知る。
空手は湯の如く、絶えず熱を与えなければ冷める。
勝つことだけを考えるな、負けないことを考えよ。
敵に応じて動け。
戦いには虚実の判断が必要である。
人の手足を剣と思え。
常に自分に無数の敵がいることを意識せよ。
自然体での完全な警戒のため、初心者の時から基本姿勢を練習せよ。
型は学ぶものであり、実戦は別物である。
力の強弱、体の伸縮、技の緩急を忘れるな。
常に創意工夫せよ。