Classical Budō — the martial ways of Japan — are not sports, nor are they combat systems. They are foremost spiritual disciplines whose ultimate goals, achieved through systematic physical training, are self-realisation and self-perfection in the Zen sense.
Zen concepts and attitudes permeate all classical Budō. The entire method of training is designed to develop the quality called, in Zen terms, mushin — no mind.
— Donn F. Draeger
Classical Budō education is based on the concept of self-activity — it is this quality alone that guarantees karate remains a creative pursuit that seeks, discovers, and realises results.
Three principles guide this practice:
Central to walking this way is the understanding that all things become subordinate to dedication in training. Nobody can pursue do without a great teacher — a true master is indeed the pearl beyond price.
"Keep your friends close and your enemies closer."
The literal translation of Kobudo is "ancient martial arts". It is a very old martial tradition involving training and practice with a variety of handheld weapons.
As well as being rooted in a history of warfare, Kobudo is intimately intertwined with the philosophy of Zen Buddhism — the Do forms are indissolubly tied to Zen.
According to Zen concepts, the worst obstacle to self-perfection is self-deception. The Do prevents self-deception. No martial way is complete without Kobudo.
"If you want to study Zen it is necessary for you to give up life and plunge into the pit of death." — D.T. Suzuki