Karate ni Sente Nashi: There’s No First Attack… Or Is There?

 

Posted by ADAM CARTER on NOV 01, 2025

Karate ni Sente Nashi: There’s No First Attack… Or Is There?

(Approx 2 minute 20 second read)

The phrase “karate ni sente nashi”, often mistakingly translated as “there is no first attack in karate”, has been repeated by karate-ka for generations.

Gichin Funakoshi made this principle the second of his Niju Kun (Twenty Precepts), reminding us that “karate begins and ends with courtesy”.

However, clinging to a literal interpretation can lead to misunderstanding. While many people use this phrase to highlight defensive postures – that you mustn’t attack first, and so on – it doesn’t advocate passive acceptance of aggression.

It isn’t about avoiding action. At its core, it’s a guiding principle for ethical behavior. It emphasizes restraint and discourages you from being the aggressor.

It also doesn’t prohibit initiating action, but rather encourages you to do so in a measured and calculated way. A preemptive strike motivated by anger is aggression, while a strategically timed counter to neutralize an imminent threat is taking the initiative.

In my opinion, reducing “karate ni sente nashi” to a purely defensive principle ignores the dynamic nature of real-world conflict. In the face of a determined attacker, waiting for the first blow might prove fatal.

Often, many of the opening motions of kata, while usually called uke (meaning “to receive”), go beyond simple “blocking”, hinting at preemption and strategic positioning.

Of course, today we have to be careful with any kind of preemption – unless you want to end up in court. Any action you take that results in the “attacker” becoming seriously injured could put you in legal jeopardy.

Self-defense laws generally allow the use of “reasonable” or “proportionate” force to stop a threat, but only when you honestly and reasonably believe you are in imminent danger, and only when other options (like escape or de-escalation) aren’t available. What counts as reasonable depends on the circumstances and your perception at the time.

In the UK, the law accepts that you don’t have to wait to be hit first, you may strike preemptively if you genuinely believe an attack is imminent. But the force you use must be necessary and proportionate to the threat.

Once the threat has passed, continuing to use force becomes unlawful.

In the US, the details vary from state to state. Most follow the principle of a “reasonable belief” of imminent danger, meaning you can defend yourself, even strike first, if you genuinely believe harm is about to occur.

But again, the force must be proportionate. Some states have a “duty to retreat” (you must avoid using force if you can safely escape), while others have “stand your ground” laws that allow you to act without retreating, provided you’re in a place you’re legally allowed to be and you’re not the aggressor.

Whichever way you interpret “karate ni sente nashi”, remember that self-defense is about safeguarding your well-being, not proving your strength or aggression.

Prioritize safety, both legally and physically, and always seek to avoid confrontation where possible.

After saying all of that, my belief is this: if you firmly believe he’s going to hit you… hit him first!

Just to be clear, I’m not giving legal advice here, it’s just a rough outline. Laws differ depending on where you live, so if you’re ever unsure about what’s allowed, it’s best to check with someone who actually knows the legal side of things.

Written by Adam Carter – Shuri Dojo