The Energy of The Gojukai Karate-Do
Introduction
Karate-Do, born from the noble culture
of Japanese society, has been developed by its founders since the era of Soke
Chojun Miyagi, the founder of the Goju Ryu style. Until now, Karate-Do remains
alive, thriving, rapidly evolving, and has become a part of life for
communities around the world, including in our country, Indonesia.
Background
Karate-Do is well-known among all
communities as a reflection of Japanese character and culture with its noble
values, many recognize it as the value of "Bushido." Some Asian
countries also share similar character and cultural values to Bushido, and many
others from different parts of the world adopt and apply these noble values,
which they acquire from the martial arts they learn, including Karate-Do,
particularly those affiliated with the International Karate-Do Gojukai
Association (I.K.G.A). They have made Karate-Do "Gojukai" a part of
their daily lives, in education, work, and other aspects.
Through Karate-Do Gojukai, we all gain
invaluable lessons, not only learning and practicing self-defense, but more
importantly, we all acquire knowledge of the noble values that shape character
and promote goodness.
Energy
In our daily lives, we often hear the
word "energy," and many people seek it. Many people who feel tired or
lack motivation need energy, while others find it.
Energy is something abstract that is
difficult to prove but can be felt in its presence/benefits; with energy, we
can perform various activities more easily.
For a karateka, energy is crucial; by
regularly practicing karate, a karateka gains various positive energies that
are highly beneficial in life, such as physical fitness, noble attitude as a
warrior, good health, happiness, and more.
The Gojukai
Energy as Martial Arts
As we continue to undergo regular
training in Karate-Do Gojukai, day by day, week by week, month by month, and
year by year, we experience and benefit from various forms of energy. These
energies include:
1. Spirit
The word "spirit" is the
second weapon after determination or strong intention to engage in training
with full responsibility and warrior spirit.
Spirit is something that
drives/motivates us to strive, learn, and practice well, thus achieving maximum
results.
The habit of this spirited attitude
carries over into our daily lives and activities, shaping an optimistic
attitude and resilience. Our trainers always shout "Spirit!"
2. Discipline
Discipline is the ability of an
individual to control behavior originating from within, according to rules,
ethics, and existing norms. Discipline is an attitude of obedience and
compliance with values believed to be one's responsibility.
A special characteristic of Karate-Do
martial arts is "discipline,"
encompassing time discipline,
physical discipline, knowledge
discipline, and training discipline, all
of which are reflected in the training processes followed by a karateka
in their respective dojos. Such training discipline is carried out
progressively, starting from Gishiki, Junbi Undo, Kihon Waza, Kihon Ido,
and so forth, forming the mental
discipline of a Gojukai karateka.
3. Dedication
Many karatekas understand dedication
as the sacrifice/struggle of energy, time, and mind for the success of a noble
endeavor or goal.
To achieve good results in the process of learning and
practicing, it requires power, effort, and endeavor (struggle), be it time,
energy, or material resources, which are not insignificant. Therefore, we feel
it necessary to preserve, nurture, and care for what we have acquired and
possessed, especially the knowledge of The Gojukai Techniques (I.K.G.A).
4. Loyalty
Loyalty is one of the good traits that
should be possessed by a Gojukai karateka, which can be applied in daily life.
Loyalty is an essential component within an organization, group, or individual
relationship. The essence of loyalty lies in loyalty and dedication.
Karate-Do Gojukai has educated and
instilled the meaning of loyalty to our Gojukai
organization, to our teachers/trainers, and especially loyalty to the
noble values and teachings of the Gojukai
which have significantly contributed to our growth.
"It's not us who have elevated
Gojukai, but Gojukai is the one that has elevated us."
5. Respectful
Attitude
Respectful attitude is a fundamental
aspect for a karateka in achieving good results in learning and training.
Gojukai always reminds and teaches us about respect, starting from the moment
we enter the dojo, meet the instructor (sensei), senior/junior classmates
(senpai/kohai), during traditional ceremonies (Gishiki), before starting
training, Kihon, Kata, Kumite, and others, and respect has become the essence
of a Gojukai karateka.
This respect is not only within the
Gojukai family, respect – honoring – is carried and becomes a positive habit in
everyday life, towards the environment, coworkers, siblings, neighbors,
friends, and even opponents.
"Karate
begins with respect, and ends with respect."
In the modern sports world (official
sport), three values are recognized: Respect, Excellence,
Friendship.
Respect occupies the first position,
where before competing, mutual respect is shown; after competing, respect is
maintained; whether winning or losing, respect is still given, so that we are
judged positively, both winners and losers can remain good friends.
The habit of respect will make a
Gojukai karateka as a person who is ethical, polite, courteous, calm, always
smiling, and ultimately, we will be respected by others. Respect is the
identity of a Gojukai karateka.
6. Hard Work
All Gojukai karatekas who have
undergone consistent, continuous training over time, without knowing fatigue,
without complaining, are easily recognizable by their attitude of Never Giving
Up.
Regardless of the circumstances, a
Gojukai karateka is still able to carry out and complete training tasks and
responsibilities with full dedication, until completion.
The reflection of this hardworking
attitude has become a good habit and culture, which is always carried out in
everyday life while performing duties as workers, employees, teachers, police
officers, doctors, and other professions.
"Nana
korobi, ya oki" is a Japanese proverb that translates to "Fall seven
times, get up eight."
7. Honesty and
Responsibility
Honesty is a fundamental and noble
trait possessed by every human being, which is a basic attitude. The honesty of
a Gojukai karateka is formed through comprehensive training processes,
totality, where what is said is aligned with what is done.
In the process of practicing jiyu
kumite, regardless of the outcome, a karateka must be able to acknowledge the
strengths of their opponent and their own weaknesses. Regardless of winning or
losing, succeeding or failing, with great spirit, a Gojukai karateka must be
able to accept and take responsibility for their achievements. They must be
able to apologize for their mistakes and strive to improve even in failure.
8. Knightly
Spirit
In many studies, the knightly spirit
embodies attitudes and behaviors that demonstrate courage, honesty, loyalty,
honor, and duty. The knightly spirit also means having responsibilities,
tolerance, acknowledgment, forgiveness, and compassion. These values are almost
never overlooked or left out from the values applied by the Gojukai
organization, all of which are depicted
and realized through systematic, intelligent, and ingenious training programs,
as outlined in the International Karate-Do Gojukai Association Curriculum.
All the energy that Gojukai has
acquired through consistent, dedicated, and loyal training processes will shape
a good personality for a Gojukai karateka, making him/her an excellent
individual, worthy of being judged as a true Gojukai karateka.
In line with the development of time
and the need for character education in several countries, including Indonesia,
the noble values of the Gojukai organization become important
and valuable to be conveyed scientifically and academically, in official
training/learning sessions or university courses. This has been implemented at
Kusuma Negara University Jakarta, specifically in the Sports Education Program,
where Gojukai Karate-Do has become a mandatory course with a study weight of 2
credits (SKS: semester credit system)
over a 6-month study period.
We feel grateful to able to meet, get
to know, live, grow, learn, and practice within the great organization called
"Gojukai"
Arigatou Gozaimashu
"Gojukai"
Write By Eko
Yulianto (Go Dan I.K.G.A – 6241)