Niju Kun
2. In Karate, never attack first.
I believe that this principle is built off of the Dojo Kun command: refrain from violent behavior. As Shotokan practitioners we should be working toward the perfection of our character. We should be non-violent and peace-keeping individuals. Never attacking first fits well into these ideals and has a variety of explanations.
You should never attack a person before you have given yourself time to observe. During a kumite match, sparring in the dojo or in a self-defense situation, there are many things that you must be aware of before you strike. Before you strike, you should consider: is this person trying to hurt me? What is their intensity level like? What are their weaknesses? What are their strengths? If you attack a person before these questions are answered, you will not be performing your technique with the best advantage. When you allow yourself time to observe your opponent, partner, or attacker, you give yourself the opportunity to figure out their strategy. Once you are able to predict what the person might do, you are able to defeat them much more easily. In this interpretation, I am suggesting that you first observe and then you attack.
Perhaps it is a self defense situation and you do not have the luxury of time to observe. Having your mind in the right place is key to survival. Adjust your mindset to getting yourself free instead of hurting your attacker: assertive thought over aggressive. If you know you are in a dangerous situation, and your mind is clear and in a ‘non attacking’ or ‘defensive’ mind set, you will be able to defend yourself much better. Just like in the rest of our training, if your mind is relaxed, then your body is relaxed and able to respond quickly. Instead being focused on the goal of hurting your attacker, you will be able to see opportunities to defend yourself and to free yourself from danger. If your goal is to hurt your attacker, you may miss an opportunity to run away from the danger, which may put you in an even worse situation. You must put your sense of pride away to stay safe; don’t stay and fight if you have a chance to walk (or run) away. I am not saying that you cannot strike your attacker if you know a fight is imminent. You may even strike your attacker first if you know you are in harm’s way. If you feel you are in danger, you have already mentally been ‘attacked’ by the perpetrator, and therefore wouldn’t be attacking first. Once you have struck your assailant, attempt to get free. Here, I am suggesting that instead of a ‘fighting’ or ‘attacking’’ mindset have a ‘defensive’ or ‘escaping’ mindset.
There is a real life application to this command. Never verbally attack first. There are many times throughout our day that we come in contact with other people. Sometimes things happen and cues can be misread or someone’s bad mood can be taken personally. Never allow these situations to cause you to respond negatively. Our goal as martial artists is to be friendly and to keep the peace with everyone whenever possible. Remain humble in all of your interactions. Do not submit to the temptation to call someone a name, make jokes about someone, or to say something negative. Though this is not a physical attack, it is an attack nonetheless and it is unacceptable for a martial artist. Do not attack with your words or body language, always be humble and kind.
Never attacking first does not mean that you are weak or submissive. If you have complete control of your mind and body (and tongue), you should be quite confident in your skills to defend yourself. You will have wisdom and strength greater than those who attack without thought.
“You need neither tremble before, nor tyrannize over anyone, for you have become wise and strong [through diligent training]. Only the weak cower, and only the weak are bullies. Humility is different than weakness; it is rooted in confidence, skill and strength.”
Master Teruyuki Okazaki, Perfection of Character
