Kantan martial arts are distinguished by a number of features. Everything, from the way a fist is made to the most involved Jujutsu maneuver, is taught with the emphasis on preventing damage and injury to the artist. The object is to minimize pain and damage to oneself, not to outfight an opponent. Techniques are done from natural walking gaits and similar positions, with the practitioner relaxed and breathing normally. As is appropriate for a purely martial art, there is no sport or display aspect to Kantan.
Every technique is tuned for maximum effectiveness and safety for the practitioner.
The breaking of boards, etc. is used as a training technique, not for demonstration purposes. Katas are developed by the practitioner to address his own needs and abilities. Sparring is used as a training technique, not as a sport to be mastered. Although a number of sparring formats are used, the one thing they all have in common is that full power strikes can be used. Even when full power strikes are not being practiced, the form of the strike is the same.