Have you ever had to use your karate?

Yes, I use it daily. It's philosophy is a part of who I am much like many things I have experienced and encountered over the last fifty-seven plus years. I am not obsessed but rather integrated with my studies and practice which means most of what I do every single day is a direct result of my beliefs of which the martial philosophies I have are a part.

If your meaning was a lot narrower as in have I ever used the physical aspects against another human being then the answer would be yes - with a bit of qualification. Every time you spar, compete or participate in dual/group training where physical contact occurs then you have applied, limited, your use of karate in a physical manner.

If your meaning was even narrow as in have you ever used karate to fight then the answer would be yes - with a bit of qualification. I was once swung at by another Marine while on a run and I controlled that situation with positioning and control of that person by the elbow. You may not classify that as either a threat or a fight, it was.

I can only say that my initial answer was more critically important than the following two. I would prefer to convey that it is best to live the life without violence, physical and psychological and allowing the dual practice of karate-jutsu-do to balance out the body and mind with the spirit developed in the philosophical guide of the ken-po goku-i then simply learning to fight, compete and promote violent behaviors.

Karate is fighting without fighting - and more ......