Gichin Funakoshi, the founder of Shotokan karate, emphasized that every practitioner must seek perfection of character. In order to accomplish this, it is essential to obtain a clear focused mind in pursuit of a mental and physical state harnessed for perfection. When learning and practicing karate, particularly as it involves both physical and mental tasks, one must first start with the mindset of discipline. In karate, attending to the work of the mind is a discipline that can be practiced both in and out of the dojo.

2008

Starring: Jean-Claude Van Damme, François Damiens, Zinedine Soualem, Karim Belkhadra, Jean-François Wolff, Anne Paulicevich, Liliane Becker

The film establishes Jean-Claude Van Damme, who is playing himself in an alternate reality, as an out of luck actor. He's out of money, his agent can't find him a decent production, and the judge in a custody battle is inclined to give custody of his daughter over to his ex-wife. He returns to his childhood home of Brussels: where hes still considered a national icon.

2007

Starring: Akihito Yagi, Tatsuya Naka, Yuji Suzuki

The movie tagline: "Real Fight, Real Karate, Real Japan" just says it all. The story takes place in the 30's and Japan is about to go to war. A military troop arrives at a dojo where three karate-ka practice with their old master. The soldiers are ordered to take the building but end-up conscripting the karate-ka after a brutal challenge where they demonstrate their prowess.