Gishō Funakoshi – Excerpt from the Introduction

"When we talk about the Revered Gichin Funakoshi, we can say that his achievement was in the fact that he introduced kara-te to Japan proper and to the world. The secret technique which was not to be removed from the premises was pushed out into the world. This has great significance in itself, for secret techniques that are to be handed over in secrecy, are to fall into obscurity in the end. Things of tradition must breathe in the changes of the times. Metabolism has to take place within. It was this type of awareness, I believe, that caused the gate of kara-te to be opened."

"The revered Elder Gichin brought new changes to kara-te reflecting the light of the times. However, he stressed with firm conviction concerning kara-te that the humanities and military arts are to be compatible and that Kara-te is a martial art of a true gentleman. I believe that this indicates a state of mind in which there is a unity of fist and Zen."