Integrity

A keystone to the practice of any combative/self-defense form of physical activity. Here we are focusing on self-defense martial arts (karate, my system). When I think of someone I consider several human traits that promote attitude and character of the individual. When I think of this I consider integrity to be one of the highest forms necessary to learn, teach and apply martial arts regardless of the distinctions between sport, combatives or self-defense.

To have integrity means to be “honest to a fault,” “faithful to self and others,” “to be conscientious,” “to be unselfish,” “to be incorruptible,” and to live, breath and do all that this entails. This is why I feel the following terms express it the best in martial arts:

Richigi [律義] means, “Honesty; faithfulness; conscientiousness; integrity,” is my favorite so far. 

Seiren [清廉] means, “Honesty; integrity; purity and unselfishness,” is my second. 

Renketsu [廉潔] means, “Honest; incorruptible; integrity,” is my third. 

To have integrity means to have mutual respect and honor. This is important once you establish the hierarchal model necessary for teaching in the martial arts, i.e., “Teacher–student, leader-follower, are useful roles in the learning process, and can be reversed as the student progresses beyond the master. The martial arts are hierarchically organized to facilitate the acceptance of the roles that enable the learning process, and to clarify role shifts as they occur or are requested. - Frank D. Young, 4th dan judo”