International Traditional Karate Federation
From Karate, Kungfu, Wrestling, Mixed Fighting Information Source
Purpose
The ITKF intends, by popularizing and developing Traditional Karate in the proper direction and by promoting and strengthening friendly relations among its member organizations and their members in all countries, to achieve the advancement of world sports spirit and thereby to contribute to the perfection of human character.
Definition of Traditional Karate
Victory itself is not the ultimate goal of Traditional Karate. Traditional Karate is an art of self defense which uses only the human body itself, in the most effective way. It uses mainly blocking, punching, striking and kicking techniques in combination with other related movements. A Traditional Karate competition conducted under the rules of the ITKF must conform to this definition of Traditional Karate. All rules enacted by the ITKF must always be considered from the standpoint of helping and motivating the participant toward the perfection of human character through unlimited physical and mental seeking.
The major element of Traditional Karate of the “finishing blow” or Todome, which is a single technique, that is sufficiently powerful to incapacitate an opponent. The Todome is delivered either by punching (Tsuki), striking (Uchi), smaching (Ate) or kicking (Keri) or other related techniques such as body shifting (Waza) and blocking (Uke).
All training methods must incorporate a respect for the training partner and is seen as a means by which to further and develop the best of human qualities as the individual strives toward perfection of character.
