The Twenty Guiding Principles of Karate: The Spiritual Legacy of the Master Book

Introduction John Teramoto
Preface
1 Do not forget that karate-do begins and ends with rei
2 There is no first strike in karate
3 Karate stands on the side of justice
4 First know yourself, then know others
5 Mentality over technique
6 The mind must be set free
7 Calamity springs from carelessness
8 Karate goes beyond the dojo
9 Karate is a lifelong pursuit
10 Apply the way of karate to all things. Therein lies its beauty
11 Karate is like boiling water: without heat, it returns to its tepid state
12 Do not think of winning. Think, rather, of not losing
13 Make adjustments according to your opponent
14 The outcome of a battle depends on how one handles emptiness and fullness (weakness and strength)
15 Think of the opponent's hands and feet as swords
16 When you step beyond your own gate, you face a million enemies
17 Kamae (ready stance) is for beginners; later, one stands in shizentai (natural stance)
18 Perform kata exactly; actual combat is another matter
19 Do not forget the employment or withdrawal of power, the extension or contraction of the body, the swift or leisurely application of technique
20 Be constantly mindful, diligent, and resourceful in your pursuit of the Way
Afterword Jotaro Takagi