Kumite

Sparring, as a method of practice, was another development under Master Funakoshi's direction. The original intent of kumite practice was to allow students to apply the offensive and defensive techniques practiced in kata against real, instead of imaginary opponents. Master Funakoshi made the intent clear in Karate-do Kyohan:

"It must be emphasized that sparring does not exist apart from kata, but for the practice of kata, so naturally there should be no corrupting influence on one's kata from one's sparring practice. When one becomes enthusiastic about sparring, there is a tendency for his kata to become bad. Karate, to the very end, should be practiced with kata as the principal method and sparring as a supporting method."

Of course, as a method of practice, all-out combat could not be permitted since serious injuries would result. Hence, different methods of progressive advancement were developed, from the most basic forms for the unskilled, to those as close to real combat as possible for the highly skilled.

Attacks should be so powerfully and surely executed that, in real combat, the opponent would be unable to mount an effective counterattack. The purpose of this is to aid in developing our mentality and improving our techniques to the level where we can confidently face real opponents, and even death, without being overcome by our own weaknesses and fears. However, Master Funakoshi points out in his book that:

"...the defender must practice to perfect the control of his body so as to move away from the attacks, trying to discover for himself the secret art of escaping from the brink of death by a hair-breadth."

Therefore, your counterattack must be forcefully delivered with pinpoint accuracy, since your survival may depend on it.