Zen-Shoto Karate  TM                                 
                                                                      (902)    225-7032  86 Portland St Dartmouth N.S.  
                                                  
                         Competition For Life                
Zen-Shoto Karate is much  more than moderen forms of karate, it is originally as designed, purely for self defense.
Not just in the physical sense but in every sense. Zen -Shoto is the the root of karate. It teaches how to position
oneself to overcome adversaries often without engaging them.

To become good at self defence against any attack, one must diligently practice self defence against any
form of
attack, not just the usual karate punch or kick. To become good at attack against any defence, one must practice diligenly attack against any
defence. 
Competitions
in All Martial Arts  are governed by rules that restrict the kind of attack and the kind of defence that
may be used. Even so called “No Rules” extreme competitions in reality have many rules.
 For
instance if you have only one opponent one may not have fifty people fighting on your side,
and you would not be allowed to bring a gun to the match. However in reall life these may be practical ways to avoid bloodshed. 

 Consequently competitions are always governed by rules. The competitors are expected to both attack and defend simultaneously. Such matches artificial and  bear little relationship to a real life situation.

It is not only unnecessary to engage in competitions to practice and test ones ability, it is
counterproductive. One is practicing in an artificial circumstance with a refereee when the time could be

better spent practicing for the real world. Here it must be noted that simply the lack of

competitions does not mean that one is practicing for the real world.  We must note

Musashi’s words “Do nothing of no use”. Many karate practitioners practice kata (to practise ones behaviour) for which they

have very little or no direct practical application.(No use)  In some schools they practice to extend

their spirit (ki) beyond their bodies.If such a feat were possible it would be of  little or no practical value when learning how to deal with

the material world.

Zen Shoto Karate practises each and every part of  each kata with an attacking partner who will attack in many different ways, as a street or bar. fighter might attack. We practice behaviour (kata) both left and right, not only stepping to left as in all other schools.

Sun Tzu says winning is of of course our primary purpose,but that victory must be won with the least possible harm to either side.
This takes great skill,  forthought and wisdom.

                                    
                                    To be invincible, defend.  To be vulnerable, attack.           
          To never fail to take what you attack, attack where there is no defence.
To have a totally secure defence, defend where there is no attack.
                                                                                               Sun Tzu, The Art of War

Concentrate your force while the opponent is divided into ten and you are attacking ten to one.  
                                                                                                                                         Sun Tzu, The Art of War                                                                                                                                     

      In Ancient times Those known as good warriors prevailed when it was easy to prevail. 
                                                                                                                  Sun Tzu, The Art of War
       
     The victories of good warriors are not noted for cleverness or bravery.
     Their victories in battle are not flukes. Their victories are not flukes because they position       
     themselves  where they will surely win, prevailing over those who have already lost. 
                                                                                                             Sun Tzu, The Art of War
                                                          
          Introducing Zen Shoto Karate  Life Training    Kata Application     About the Instructor    Rules for Members  
                                                                            Contact us  shotokai@chebucto.ns.ca.     or 225-7032 



Dragon and Butterfly Tattoo