Hanratty on Karate

Sensei Hanratty continues his discussion of Master Funakoshi's 20 precepts, focusing on precepts 8, 9, and 10.8th PreceptDo not think that karate training is only in the dojo.道場のみの空手と思うな(Dōjō nomi no karate to omou na)9th PreceptKarate is a lifelong pursuit.空手の修業は一生である(Karate no shugyō wa isshō de aru)10th PreceptApply the way of karate to all things. Therein lies its beauty.あらゆるものを空手化せよ そこに妙味あり(Arayuru mono o karate-ka seyo; soko ni myōmi ari)

Sensei Hanratty continues his discussion of Master Funakoshi's 20 precepts, focusing on precepts five, six, and seven.

Precept 5: Mental technique is more important than physical technique.

技術より心術

Gijutsu yori shinjutsu.

Precept 6: The mind must be set free.

心は放たん事を要す

Hitotsu, kokoro wa hanatan koto o yōsu.

Precept 7: Calamity springs from carelessness.

禍は懈怠に生ず

Hitotsu, wazawai wa ketai ni shōzu.

Sensei Hanratty discusses Master Funakoshi's fourth precept: "First know yourself, then know others.

"先ず自己を知れ、而して他を知れ。

Mazu jiko o shire, shikashite ta o shire.

Sensei Hanratty discusses the first three of Master Funakoshi's 20 Precepts:

1) Karate begins and ends with courtesy.(Karate-dō wa rei ni hajimari, rei ni owaru.)

2) There is no first attack in karate.(Karate ni sente nashi.)

3) Karate stands on the side of justice.(Karate wa gi no tasuke.)

Sensei Hanratty discusses how to identify and recover from martial arts injuries.

Sensei Hanratty discusses the awarding of 10th Dans and what makes a karateka worthy of a particular grade.

Sensei Hanratty discusses why he's not a big fan of the side snap kick.

He also touches on the following:

-The power sources of rotation, counter-rotation, vibration, lifting/dropping, and pendulum

-Proper delivery of kekomi

-Role of kime in kicks

-Importance of returning to “ready position”

-Why, “If you have to block, you’re probably to late”

Recorded on February 18, 2026

Sensei Hanratty discusses the following:

-The three main body types and the types of activities to get the best out of them

-Ability vs. capability

-Different types of stretching

-Why the learning curve is steep at the start

-Importance of visualization in martial arts

Sensei Hanratty offers thoughts on how he grades and how other instructors grade. He touches on the following:

-How grading systems have evolved

-The first things he teaches students

-Evolution of his grading guide and syllabus

-What he looks for in Heian Shodan

-What he looks for at gradings

-Using the voice as a weapon

-Signature moves in katas

-The difference between commercial dojos and traditional dojos

-What it was like earning his first black belt

Sensei Hanratty discusses the following:

-Some of the nicest dojos he’s seen

-Things to consider if thinking of running a full-time dojo

-Why running a dojo is a huge responsibility

Key quote: “It’s a balancing act between teaching good, traditional karate and attracting enough students to be able to afford to do that.”

Sensei Hanratty also reads the epilogue to a private memoir he recently wrote.