Analysis of Genuine Karate: Misconceptions, Origins, Development, and True Purpose

Genuine karate is an Okinawan martial art for self-defense; its ongoing globalization has jeopardized its inherent effectiveness. “The changes made to karate in mainland Japan and in America have altered karate so intrinsically that it can no longer claim to be genuine karate.”Dr. Hermann Bayer, Ph.D., examines how Japan re-interpreted Okinawan karate to create its own unique style of karate-do, and how Japanese and American changes resulted in a modern karate-sport business. Practitioners of karate are often confused, misguided, and even led to believe that karate is just karate—this is far from the truth. Practitioners need a clear understanding of what their training can offer them. This can only be achieved by understanding karate's true purpose and by discerning misconceptions from facts. Contents include Okinawan karate’s “principle of never changing kata”. Karate as an Okinawan cultural heritage. Socio-cultural arguments to preserve Okinawa karate—as is. Japan—the karate reproducing country. Karate or Karate-do? The business of karate, karate-do, and karate-sport. Scientific proof of a peaceful karate mind. The laws of physics reveal weaknesses when kata are changed. This substantially researched work makes a compelling case for the socio-cultural and historic arguments to conserve genuine Okinawan karate. Supported by historical facts, scientific analysis, and public records, Dr. Bayer reveals, for all to see, the complex evolution of karate and the unsettled claims made upon it by the various stake-holders.
Analysis of Genuine Karate seeks to identify and hold to account the consequences of external changes upon the fundamentals of Okinawan karate.The author examines and clarifies the socio-cultural arguments to preserve Okinawan karate as it was originally designed, versus the Japanization, Americanization, and Commercialization of the art. Supported and illustrated by an analysis of the training variances between self-protection, self-perfection, and the never changing kata principle’s role in Okinawan karate. This work provides a clear picture of the art, void of distortions put in place by people and institutions with their own agendas.