The origins of Shōten Kyōdo

Shōten Kyōdo - What does it mean? This is a question we are asked regularly at the club. The simple answer is “focused strength”. However, this isn’t just a couple of Japanese words we plucked out of the “naming your karate club” handbook, it’s something the founding members thought represented their ethos and what we wanted our students to embrace whilst learning not only in karate but every day life. I am going to go into a bit more detail of what Shōten Kyōdo – focused strength, actually means.

Let’s start with focused, the dictionary definition is - directing a great deal of attention, interest, or activity towards a particular aim. First and foremost, everyone is expected to be focused at all times whilst in class. From the moment you hear the words “line up”, you should be thinking of nothing else other than what you're about to do. This is part of the reason for mokuso when you bow in, to forget what has been happening before class and to focus fully on the task ahead. There are many other reasons and benefits for mokosu which we will detail at length another time. Your focus in class is imperative, without it you will not use the correct technique, keep your balance or hear Sensei say don’t take your mitts and pads off. A student can be lacking in natural ability but if they are fully focused they will become a better student than the one who has all the technical ability but no focus. This focus should be used with everything you do in life, if you try and carry a hot cup of tea without focusing on the task you're going to burn yourself with hot tea, ouch! If you're focused then you’re aware of your surroundings, if you’re aware of your surroundings then you have a strength.

Strength - the capacity of an object or substance to withstand great force or pressure. It’s a common mistake to think that strength is something that is only physical, going to the gym and lifting big weights etc. Whilst having physical strength can help, without mental strength it means absolutely nothing. Also, it’s about using your own strengths, everyone is different. Somebody that is small shouldn’t try and overpower someone bigger than themselves, they should keep their distance and move quick. Somebody that isn’t very flexible shouldn’t try and kick that 6’2” person in the head. It’s all about knowing your own strengths and weaknesses. The most important thing is don’t try and be something you’re not. That is why at Shōten Kyōdo we give you the knowledge to use your strengths in the most effective way and encourage you to be yourself.