Editing The World of Kung-Fu 5.3: Karate
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− | The stereotype of a Karateka is an impulsive, violent, angry, and fundamentally unstable martial artist. This is largely due to the fact that American Karate has been at civil war since the 1950s. Fueled by competitiveness over which style of Karate is the best, the so called Karate Wars are not over anything in particular. Like lots of longstanding feuds, they are fought over hundreds of grievances accumulated over the years with more being added all the time. Karateka frequently fight in public, generally after practitioners of one style stumble across practitioners of another. Despite the violence and property destruction, witnesses almost always forget these fights and the general public remains unaware of them. | + | The stereotype of a Karateka is an impulsive, violent, angry, and fundamentally unstable martial artist. This is largely due to the fact that American Karate has been at civil war since the 1950s. Fueled by competitiveness over which style of Karate is the best, the so called Karate Wars are not over anything in particular. Like lots of longstanding feuds, they are fought over hundreds of grievances accumulated over the years with more being added all the time. Karateka frequently fight in public, generally after practitioners of one style stumble across practitioners of another. Despite the violence and property destruction, witnesses almost always forget these fights and the general public remains unaware of them. |
Karate tournaments are theoretically neutral ground and every popular school declares it a dishonor to start a fight there. Yet fights keep breaking out at mixed tournaments attended by Karateka of different styles, with each side blaming the other for starting it. | Karate tournaments are theoretically neutral ground and every popular school declares it a dishonor to start a fight there. Yet fights keep breaking out at mixed tournaments attended by Karateka of different styles, with each side blaming the other for starting it. | ||
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− | Many Americans train in Karate. Few of them have even heard of a “Karate War”. However, the more that a devoted student focuses on Karate, the more likely that they will be drawn into the feuds and violence. Those who are Trained by a Master are particularly likely to feel a duty to defend the honor of their style. After all, when you insult their style, you insult their sensei! However, most combatants in the Karate Wars are not Trained by a Master. The popularity of Karate ensures a healthy supply of foot-soldiers, ready to give their all for the honor of the style. | + | Many Americans train in Karate. Few of them have even heard of a “Karate War”. However, the more that a devoted student focuses on Karate, the more likely that they will be drawn into the feuds and violence. Those who are Trained by a Master are particularly likely to feel a duty to defend the honor of their style. After all, when you insult their style, you insult their sensei! However, most combatants in the Karate Wars are not Trained by a Master. The popularity of Karate ensures a healthy supply of foot-soldiers, ready to give their all for the honor of the style. |
'''Stereotypes of Karate Styles''' | '''Stereotypes of Karate Styles''' | ||
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+ | [[File:Karate15.jpg]] | ||
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''“The nail that sticks out must be punched down.”—Karate saying.'' | ''“The nail that sticks out must be punched down.”—Karate saying.'' | ||
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'''How Did the Feuds Start?''' | '''How Did the Feuds Start?''' | ||
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''“It is a truth universally acknowledged that a young woman of ill fortune must be in need of revenge.”—Jane Austen, Lady Dragon, 1812.'' | ''“It is a truth universally acknowledged that a young woman of ill fortune must be in need of revenge.”—Jane Austen, Lady Dragon, 1812.'' | ||
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'''The Big Six Karate Feuds''' | '''The Big Six Karate Feuds''' | ||
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There are the six main feuds driving the Karate Wars, all between the four styles Goju-ryu, Isshinryu, Kyokushin, and Shotokan Karate. These feuds are always “hot” and members of feuding styles will rarely cooperate. | There are the six main feuds driving the Karate Wars, all between the four styles Goju-ryu, Isshinryu, Kyokushin, and Shotokan Karate. These feuds are always “hot” and members of feuding styles will rarely cooperate. | ||
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'''Other Karate Feuds''' | '''Other Karate Feuds''' | ||
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Every two Karate styles have something to feud over. These feuds sometimes run hot and are sometimes are put aside for temporary alliance. Members of feuding styles may fight or cooperate, depending on recent events. | Every two Karate styles have something to feud over. These feuds sometimes run hot and are sometimes are put aside for temporary alliance. Members of feuding styles may fight or cooperate, depending on recent events. | ||
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− | '''Karate Relations''' | + | '''Karate Relations |
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''“Eagles are screaming.'' | ''“Eagles are screaming.'' | ||
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'''Karateka as Villains''' | '''Karateka as Villains''' | ||
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Karate is popular enough that many criminals become Karate students. However, the most dangerous Karateka are the “honorable” ones who are focused on winning the Karate Wars. As every connected martial artists knows, the Karate Wars are a terrible public menace, with wild Kung Fu taking place in crowded urban locations. While no civilians have been killed or badly injured so far, thanks to the great skill of the combatants, good guy martial artists have often had to intervene to put an end to battles of too great a size and destructiveness. The failure of the public to become aware of the Kung Fu war even in the face of periodic mass Karate brawls in broad daylight has convinced many good guys that trying to keep Kung Fu secret is a pointless effort, since the Wushu Effect prevents them from remembering even open warfare. | Karate is popular enough that many criminals become Karate students. However, the most dangerous Karateka are the “honorable” ones who are focused on winning the Karate Wars. As every connected martial artists knows, the Karate Wars are a terrible public menace, with wild Kung Fu taking place in crowded urban locations. While no civilians have been killed or badly injured so far, thanks to the great skill of the combatants, good guy martial artists have often had to intervene to put an end to battles of too great a size and destructiveness. The failure of the public to become aware of the Kung Fu war even in the face of periodic mass Karate brawls in broad daylight has convinced many good guys that trying to keep Kung Fu secret is a pointless effort, since the Wushu Effect prevents them from remembering even open warfare. | ||
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