The shape of objects, such as humans and buildings, reflects the intentions of those who created them, and this involves advanced intelligence. The functionality and durability of an object's shape are the result of considerations based on the influences of nature and purpose by its designer. This can be seen in various contexts, from architectural blueprints to the shape of human bones.

The functionality of this shape is particularly evident in the human body, with bones being the most prominent example. When a baby is able to walk after a year, it is due to the shape and functionality of the bones, but this is often simply understood as physical development and the growth of motor skills. However, a more important factor enabling the baby's walking is the rhythm of walking. When a newborn is held by their mother and walks, the rhythm of her steps is felt through the baby’s bones and transmitted to the brain.

The importance of the baby feeling the walking rhythm while being gently held in the arms of an adult should be more widely acknowledged. As the baby senses this rhythm, their bones develop into the appropriate shape. The shape of the bones forms the foundation for the baby to eventually walk, and intelligence manifests through this shape. Within a year, the baby will begin to stand up and walk. The continuation of this process is reflected in the way we walk today.

The Sanchin kata in Karate also follows this process and enables walking. It can be considered a new form of walking. If the walking a baby learns in the first year is the first form of walking, then the walking that blossoms through the process of practicing the Sanchin kata can be considered the second form of walking. The first walking begins when the baby stands up and starts walking at around one year of age, and the origins of the walking we practice today can be traced back to the rhythm memory inherited from the parents. The way children walk and the gestures they make often resemble those of their parents because they have inherited this rhythm memory. The second form of walking refers to a martial arts-specific way of walking, which is the rhythmic movement nurtured through kata practice. It is entirely different from the quality of movement passed down from parents or ancestors.

By correctly maintaining the shape of the Sanchin kata and performing the movements it requires, one produces the rhythmic movement intended by the creator of the kata. This is because the bones that form the shape of the kata inherently possess musicality, and this musicality harmonizes with the rhythmic movements. This is not the rhythm of movement unconsciously passed down through family memory, but rather the rhythm that emerges when the circuits of musicality hidden in the bones are unlocked through the conscious practice of kata.

Humans, unlike other animals, are capable of creating music, which is an art that resonates together. Karate, with its emphasis on kata as a martial art, is not about destructive power or inflicting pain on others. Rather, the advanced intelligence contained in the kata awakens the function of the bones, which carry the musicality of the human body. Just as the rhythmic potential in a baby's bones is awakened when held in a mother’s arms, the rhythm and movement of the Sanchin kata open new circuits of the hidden bones in the body. This is not a force accompanied by carnivorous brutality, but rather a dynamic power akin to the growth of a plant that quietly but powerfully blooms. This is the blossoming of rhythmic energy. When we say, "Kata is beautiful," it refers to the expression of the beauty and musicality contained in the form of the bones. It is not necessary for the kata to appear forceful or beautiful. When accompanied by a natural texture, the kata becomes beautiful in the end. However, it is true that we may have lost the depth of the bone's musicality expressed by the word "natural." In modern times, we hardly ever consider the beauty of bones.

In any case, the shape and movement of human bones express the truth and aesthetics of nature through their function. No matter how much we think about harmony in our minds, it remains mere speculation and has never led to "good," as history has proven. Only when the body sensation of not colliding exists can the concept of harmony come to life with vitality. Even if we try to avoid collision with our thoughts, this does not happen because the human intellect has limits. The musicality hidden in the structure and movement of the bones, which are part of the body's shape, is wisdom and truth that transcend human intellect. The intelligence that intended the creation of such bones can be said to be the "intention" of the Creator who brought about the order of the entire universe. "Intention" is written with the characters for "heart" and "sound." It is, in fact, the heartbeat. The heartbeat refers to the rhythm of circulation emanating from the chest, the center of the body, and it expresses the harmony of the intellect of the head and the will of the body. In the fragmented modern world, the blossoming of rhythmic power is necessary. When this "intention" is embedded in the shape and function of the bones, the practice of kata does not seek hardship or training for its own sake but aims for the blossoming of rhythmic energy with a pleasant resonance. In this sense, I believe that kata, which can awaken the hidden rhythmic power of the bones, is an intangible cultural heritage that should be passed down to future generations.

Rudolf Steiner focused on the beauty and musical qualities of the human body, and he insightfully recognized the unique structure and function of the clavicle. He described the clavicle as a bone with a distinctive S-shaped form and emphasized its role as a vital connection between the chest and the arms. This structure enables harmonious movement, creating a flow of energy between the chest, which represents the intermediate system of the body, and the arms and hands, which represent its extremities. To fully utilize the clavicle's function, it is essential to avoid unnecessary tension and to draw out the natural texture of its unique structure.

This concept closely aligns with the practice of the Sanchin kata in karate. The Sanchin kata seeks to achieve harmony in the body without exerting force. Excessive tension can inhibit the natural functionality of bones, including the clavicle. The energy that flows from the clavicle travels through the arms and hands, reaching the fingertips, where it is released and then cycles back to the clavicle. This interplay of outflow and inflow is the essence of the "texture" of a karate punch, akin to a musical rhythm.

Traditional karate punches differ from the powerful strikes of modern karate. They are quiet yet infused with energy that penetrates the opponent's body. These strikes may appear light but deeply impact the opponent’s internal structure, causing them to lose balance. Achieving such punches requires proper fist formation. The key is to hold the fist gently yet firmly, channeling life energy into each finger to create what is called a "living fist." This sense cannot be developed through simple fist-gripping exercises alone; it is cultivated by activating the entire body through Sanchin kata practice.

In the Sanchin kata, there is no forced strengthening of the body or application of excessive force. Instead, the kata's inherent energy is trusted. By precisely replicating the kata’s forms and movements, the entire body begins to embody vitality. When bones become infused with life, the movement of one bone influences all others, resulting in a harmonious and unified motion. This state is referred to as ichidō zenfufudō ("one movement influences all, yet none are disrupted"). In this state, rhythmic power (ridzudōryoku), a quiet yet dynamic force, emerges without relying on muscular strength. This power lightly touches the opponent, disrupts their axis, and topples them without causing pain.

The true appeal of practicing karate kata lies in sensing the rhythmic flow of life energy within the body and learning to wield it freely. When the beauty of the clavicle and other bones, along with their functionality, is fully realized through the kata, punches and movements transcend mere physical force and become musical, harmonious expressions. This goes beyond the realm of martial arts and resonates with the essential human beauty described by Steiner.