Nij kun

The Shtkan nij kun (Japanese language: ) are the "twenty instructions" of
the Okinawan martial arts master Gichin Funakoshi, whose pen name was Sht. All students
of Shtkan karate are encouraged to live, practice, and teach the principles to others. [1]
Funakoshi trained in Shuri-te and Naha-te from an early age. He ultimately developed his
own martial art, which he believed leveraged the benefits of these two. Gaining the attention
of a larger audience, Funakoshi later ventured to disseminate his art throughout Japan,[2]
and created the nij kun to assist his karateka in their training.
While it has been suggested that the Shtkan niju kun were documented by around 1890,[1]
they were first actually published in a book in 1938 The Twenty Guiding Principles of Karate
as:[1]
Karate-do begins and ends with bowing.

Hitotsu, karate-do wa rei ni hajimari rei ni owaru koto o wasuruna

There is no first strike in karate.

Hitotsu, karate ni sente nashi

Karate stands on the side of justice.

Hitotsu, karate wa, gi no tasuke

First know yourself, then know others.

Hitotsu, mazu onore o shire, shikashite ta o shire

Mentality over technique.

Hitotsu, gijutsu yori shinjitsu

The heart must be set free.

Hitotsu, kokoro wa hanatan koto o yosu

Calamity springs from carelessness.

Hitotsu, wazawai wa ketai ni seizu

Karate goes beyond the dojo.

Hitotsu, dojo nomino karate to omou na

Karate is a lifelong pursuit.

Hitotsu, karate-do no shugyo wa issho de aru

Apply the way of karate to all things. Therein lies its beauty.

Hitotsu, ara yuru mono o karateka seyo; soko ni myomi ari

Karate is like boiling water; without heat, it returns to its tepid state.

Hitotsu, karate wa yu no gotoshi taezu netsu o ataezareba moto no mizu ni kaeru

Do not think of winning. Think, rather, of not losing.

Hitotsu, katsu kangae wa motsuna; makenu kangae wa hitsuyo

Make adjustments according to your opponent.

Hitotsu, tekki ni yotte tenka seyo

The outcome of a battle depends on how one handles emptiness and fullness (weakness and
strength).

Hitotsu, tatakai wa kyojitsu no soju ikan ni ari

Think of hands and feet as swords.

Hitotsu, hito no teashi wa ken to omoe

When you step beyond your own gate, you face a million enemies.

Hitotsu, danshi mon o izureba hyakuman no teki ari

Formal stances are for beginners; later, one stands naturally.

Hitotsu, kamae wa shoshinsha ni ato wa shizentai

Perform prescribed sets of techniques exactly; actual combat is another matter.

Hitotsu, kata wa tadashiku, jisen wa betsumono

Do not forget the employment of withdrawal of power, the extension or contraction of the
body, the swift or leisurely application of technique.

Hitotsu, chikara no kyojakutai no shinshuku waza no kankyu o wasuruna

Be constantly mindful, diligent, and resourceful, in your pursuit of the Way.

Hitotsu, tsune ni shinen ku fu seyo