There are dojos that are hyper-traditionalist, there are those more liberal; these exist in both Japanese and American cultures. To try and assign a set of values for the entire country fruitless at best, stereotyping at worst.

Yes, we can recognize some trends and similarities between schools of the same nationality, but even this must be done recognizing that there is only so much we can gain from generalizing. And with the sheer number of karate schools in America, combined with the vastly differing cultures and values between regions, states, counties, cities, neighborhoods, and families, trying to nail down a set of “American values” is impossible.

Apathy, greed, obsession with celebrities. Unchecked sexuality. Violence and lack of moral compass. A lack of respect for indigenous cultures and other nations.

It is what I would expect from a nation founded on Genocide, Slavery and War.

THE PRINCIPLE OF RESPECT

An important tenet of Karate is the principle of Respect. Guests are sometimes amused or befuddled by the amount of bowing and training traditions to which students adhere.

For example, students bow when walking on or off the training mat, they bow to their instructors and to other students, and at the beginning and end of class. They line up by order of rank (indicated by the color and striping of their belts). Exercises are performed with the highest ranking student leading, and students begin meditation by allowing senior students to kneel first.

These uniformed rules and practices are not just relics from ancient times. Martial arts training is designed to reinforce the values of the art–for example, the value of placing Respect above Combat–before, during, and even after battle. In a fight, that can be the difference between succeeding with honor, knowing you earned your victory, or cheating and knowing you really lost (not only the fight but also a little part of your humanity).

To excel at martial arts is not easy. As a martial artist, I remember the effort I made to attain my rank. It is difficult to forget how hard (and rewarding) it was to move up with each stripe from White Belt.

It is with my own experience and hard work in mind that I honor the students and masters ahead of me for the efforts they made to earn their status and rank. Everybody’s effort is different and private, but regardless of the level of each person’s achievement, I know every student has had to overcome the best and worst of themselves, and their own previous efforts, to get to where they are.

Showing respect is a way of honoring the highest values in people. Respect gives deference to Effort, Ability, Willpower, and Success. It shows how you value your work and the work of others. Showing respect honors your commitments to yourself…to your own Effort, Ability, Willpower, and Success.

Having respect for martial arts also ensures you do not use your skills indiscriminately. A serious martial artist does not consider his skills something to play with or for use when “horsing around” or playing with his friends. That is the purpose for training at the Dojo (and why respect for the dojo is very important).

Martial Arts are designed for combat–a human weapon can be as dangerous as a loaded gun. The warrior who respects himself, his art, his dojo, his teachers, and others always keeps this in mind. A fighter with no respect is only a bully. A fighter who respects and honors himself, his challengers, and even the challenges he faces… earns his title as Martial Artist.

Are they present in American Karate? I’ve definitely seen evidence of their presence in several of the Karate Schools I’ve visited. Whether American Values and traits should be present in any martial art’s practice depends on your goal I guess. Are you attempting to pass on a cultural snapshot of the MA’s mother country at a specific time? Or is the goal to pass on an effective form of self defense?