This gives the belts earned international status and lets you train on business trips and vacations at dojos in other cities or countries. Because it is potentially lethal, karate is controlled by strict etiquette. Even on a dojo floor glistening with sweat, Mori demands that courtesy prevail, and his glare is enough to chastise anyone stepping out of line. He exhorted us to concentrate on our opponents, release the tension from shoulders and arms and breathe lightly. The celebrated kiai, or explosive yell that accompanies a punch or kick, has the purpose of focusing power as well as startling the opponent.
Breathing has to be natural, like weeping willow branches in the wind.
Under Mori's persistent tutelage, we practiced maximizing the power of our punches by pulling back one arm as the other shot forward, and our kicks by snapping back the leg like a whip. He had us slide forward without stomping by pushing off with the back foot. He tolerated no timid or indecisive moves, insisting that each blow be focused before proceeding to the next block or punch. He even nagged us about keeping our fists clenched tightly to avoid fracturing knuckles or fingers. Mori is no easy taskmaster, but his insistence on perfection has earned scores of trophies for his students in tournament competition.