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In spite of this enormous popularity, we must not lose sight of that which the competitive element and commercial exploitation have generated. Ignorance and misunderstanding have fueled eclecticism in countries whose cultures are unlike that from which karate evolved. As such, karate has been popularized for its utilitarian and competitive elements and, for the most part, monopolized by young people. In so doing, the classical values on which the art rests have been ignored. Karate is a tradition which should be practiced by both young and old, male and female, and kata is the central vehicle of this profound discipline. I believe that without restoration of these values, true classical Okinawan karate will become extinct.

I do not mean to suggest that I have a totally negative opinion of karate’s competitive dimension, it is just that I feel it is too shallow. Regardless of whether it is in Okinawa, the mainland of Japan, or the world in general, jyu-kumite (free-sparring) ignores the principles on which kata is based. Simply put, jyu-kumite should in some way reflect kata, because kata is the origin of karate. If there is no kata, there is no karate, just kicking and punching.