In his autobiography ‘Karate-Do: My Way of Life” Gichin Funakoshi recounts many instances when unfortunate young men tried to rob or attack karate masters, in this case Master Anko Itosu, who was mentioned using his skills in self-defence successfully many times: “I now recall a very well known incident when Itosu was set upon by a group of young toughs, but before long the hoodlums were lying unconscious in the street. … I would be quite astonished if any of them survive.” (pages 18-19)
Some people were fortunate enough to survive attacking a Karate master, such as an unnamed young man who tried to punch Itosu in the stomach, only to have his hand seized, be dragged to a bar, and given a drink by Master Itosu.
Both Funakoshi and Itosu are considered the founders of modern Karate and are central figures in the history of Karate.
Boollish on
I know there are a lot of stories about karate masters beating up street robbers, but I wonder about the actual historical veracity of them.
First, how could roving gangs of robbers be so common as to accidentally stumble upon and rob one of the very few people equipped to fight back before the age of the firearm.
Two, everything I’ve ever learned about self defense is that track and field beats martial arts every time. Surely even Japanese martial arts masters have figured that out.
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In his autobiography ‘Karate-Do: My Way of Life” Gichin Funakoshi recounts many instances when unfortunate young men tried to rob or attack karate masters, in this case Master Anko Itosu, who was mentioned using his skills in self-defence successfully many times: “I now recall a very well known incident when Itosu was set upon by a group of young toughs, but before long the hoodlums were lying unconscious in the street. … I would be quite astonished if any of them survive.” (pages 18-19)
Some people were fortunate enough to survive attacking a Karate master, such as an unnamed young man who tried to punch Itosu in the stomach, only to have his hand seized, be dragged to a bar, and given a drink by Master Itosu.
Both Funakoshi and Itosu are considered the founders of modern Karate and are central figures in the history of Karate.
I know there are a lot of stories about karate masters beating up street robbers, but I wonder about the actual historical veracity of them.
First, how could roving gangs of robbers be so common as to accidentally stumble upon and rob one of the very few people equipped to fight back before the age of the firearm.
Two, everything I’ve ever learned about self defense is that track and field beats martial arts every time. Surely even Japanese martial arts masters have figured that out.
Iroh vs. the mugger
But in real life.