Is traditional Shotokan Karate useless for self defense?

Before I start, let me show you a feedback I received from a visitor which is similar to many I've got before.

On Mon Aug 28 22:54:09 2006, the following results were submitted from the "Feedbacks and Comments" on karate-shotokan-kata.com: ------------------------------
(Name & email deleted for privacy protection)

Feedbacks and Comments (Flamers too): Is traditional Shotokan Karate useless for self-defense?

I've been practicing for 2 months now, and my main reason has been as a form of stress-relieving physical activity. I believe Shotokan Karate certainly serves this purpose. A secondary, but important aspect I'm looking into is self-defense. In a lot of MA forums Shotokan tends to be regarded as an inefficient self-defense system by many. Is this true? I find it hard to believe. For example, kata (as a understand it) is a form of defense/offense against multiple attackers from different directions so would not be rendered useless in a real self-defense situation as many claim.

I pray to God never to be in a situation of physical danger, where I would have to employ self-defense skills. But if it does happen I also pray I get out alive in one piece.

What are your opinions and suggestions? I am very confused. ------------------------------

Well, IMHO, the simple answer to the above "done-to-death" question is NO.

This is what worries me. I started this website to express and share whatever I've learned (rightly or wrongly). Martial arts are something that ought to be experienced, not read about, talked about or debated. I felt sad that a relative newcomer would arrived at some hasty conclusion of what works and what doesn't just by reading what I wrote.

So I'm not going to explain or debate this topic, except to say to the individual who asked me this question or anyone pondering over it: find out yourself, train, discover and learn.

But I'll share a few "criteria" that we use in Kissaki Defensive Tactics Academy here to determine whether a technique, strategy or principle is effective or not:

1. Works consistently against moving resisting opponents of different size, agility and strength.

2. Proven or validated by members of law enforcement agencies and people with real-life experience defending themselves from violence.

3. Used and employed successfully in many full-contact no holds barred fights.

4. Straightforward and does not contradict our autonomic reflex action when under stress and fear.

5. Never take what you read as the truth (including this article) without testing/validating it yourself.

For those who were expecting clear answers or radical views and explanations, I'm sorry to disappoint. Try reading other sites on the Net, or you can keep training and never be shy to address your doubts by "pressure testing" them.

Hope this page below will spur your interest to find out what works for you.
Karate styles and blocks

I wished you the best in your journey to discover the "truth". As for me, I still got a long way to go...