Gichin Funakoshi

Among others, Shotokan is the most popular karate today. Gichin Funakoshi (1868-1957) is considered to be the founder of modern karate. Born in Okinawa , he began studied karate in age 11 with Yasutsune Azato, one of Okinawa 's greatest experts in the art. It was occured after the son of Azato became his classmate. Not long after, Funakoshi introduced by Azato to Shorin-ryu master Yasutsune Itosu. Another Funakohi’s teacher was Arakaki Seisho, Kanryo Higashionna, Kodatsu Iha and the legendary Sokon Matsumura even in short time.

Funakoshi also helped Itosu introduced karate to the commissioner of schools in early 1900’s. As a result of this demonstration, karate was installed as a part of the physical education program at the Dai Chi Middle School and the Men's Normal School in Shuri. It was Itosu’s dream that karate will spread out from Okinawa to Japan mainland. After Okinawa became one of Japan’s prefecture, in spring 1917 an invitation from Dai Nippon Butokukai finally arrived. It was intitation for martial arts demonstrations in Kyoto. Funakoshi was selected as Okinawan representative along with kobudo master Shinko Matayoshi.

In 1921, he gave another demonstration at Shuri Castle for the Crown Prince Hirohito. Hirohito was so impressed, he mentioned it in his report. Shortly after this demonstration, Ministry of Education invited Funakoshi to give demonstration in Tokyo. After demonstrations many people impressed including Jigoro Kano, the founder of Japanese Judo. Kano asked some basic lessons from Funakoshi, and since then Funakoshi stayed in Japan. Funakoshi lived in a small dormitory for Okinawan students. To earn his living, he worked as gardener and guard.

Funakoshi was persuaded by Japanese peoples to stay in Japan giving lectures and doing demonstrations. He never returned to Okinawa and by 1936 (nearly 70 years of age) established a permanent Dojo in Tokyo known as Shotokan; Shoto after his pen name “Shoto” meaning pine waves and “Kan” meaning great hall. But actually he never named it as such and always referring to it simply as “karate”. Also, Through his writings in Karate-do Kyohan, the meaning of karate changed from “Chinese hands” to “empty hands”.

A karate practice with Funakoshi (front) in Keio University in 1930's

Technique

Shotokan Karate was influenced directly by Shuri-te (Shorin-ryu), and is characterized by powerful linear techniques. Shotokan also utilized deep strong stances with direct punching, blocking, and kicking. Correct posture, joint alignment and strong foundation are the basis for all techniques.

The Shotokan practitioner should train with a “ikken hissatsu” or “to kill with one blow” train of thought. This is not to say these karateka wish to truly kill, but instead to effectively execute a technique with as little effort or wasted energy as possible while apply 100% of ones body into it. To eliminate ones attacker , be it with a hard hitting block that makes him think twice about continueing, a strike that stuns him allowing you the chance to escape or to render them incapatitated.

Shotokan fighters will stay in close even when attacked, perfering to shift to the side to evade an assault but still be within distance to counter with a technique of their own. Or even take full control of a situation, by “luring” the foe into throwing a punch or strike and taking advantage of the enticed technique they made come forth.

Training divided into 3 parts, kihon (basic), kumite (sparring) and kata (form). In general, Shotokan kumite divided into two sections yakusoku kumite (prearranged kumite) for beginner and jiyu kumite (free sparring) for advanced students. At first Funakoshi selected 15 katas, but Shotokan today practicing 26 katas. The current list of Shotokan katas:

Heian shodan (Peaceful Mind – 1)
Heian nidan (Peaceful Mind – 2)
Heian sandan (Peaceful Mind – 3)
Heian yondan (Peaceful Mind – 4)
Heian godan (Peaceful Mind – 5)
Tekki shodan (Iron Horse – 1)
Bassai dai (To Penetrate a Fortress) (Major)
Jion (Name of a temple, or the name of a buddhist saint)
Empi (Flight of the swallow)
Kanku dai (To Look At the Sky) (Major)
Hangetsu (Half-moon)
Jitte : Ten hands
Gankaku (Crane on a rock)
Tekki nidan (Iron Horse – 2)
Tekki sandan (Iron Horse – 3)
Nijushiho (24 Steps)
Chinte (Unusual Hands)
Sochin (Tranquil Force, Give Peace Among Men)
Meikyo (Bright Mirror)
Unsu (Hands Like Clouds)
Bassai sho (To Penetrate a Fortress) (Minor)
Kanku sho (To Look at the Sky) (Minor)
Wankan (King’s Crown)
Gojushiho sho (54 Steps) (Minor)
Gojushiho dai (54 Steps) (Major)
Ji'in (Love of Truth) Temple Sounds

The founder of KWF, Mikio Yahara performing the most advanced Shotokan kata's, Unsu.

The Philosophy

Before Japan Karate Association founded, Funakoshi laid 20 moral codes called Shoto Niju Kun. This ethics influenced by bushido and budo and became the philosophy of Shotokan. The complete Shoto Niju Kun:

1.Karate is not only dojo training.
2.Don't forget that Karate begins with a bow and ends with a bow.
3.In Karate, never attack first.
4.One who practices Karate must follow the way of justice
5.First you must know yourself. Then you can know others.
6.Spiritual development is paramount; technical skills are merely means to the end.
7.You must release your mind
8.Misfortune comes out of laziness.
9.Karate is a lifelong training.
10.Put Karate into everything you do.
11.Karate is like hot water. If you do not give heat constantly it will again become cold.
12.Do not think you have to win. Think that you do not have to lose.
13.Victory depends on your ability to tell vulnerable points from invulnerable ones.
14.Move according to your opponent.
15.Consider your opponent's hands and legs as you would sharp swords.
16.When you leave home, think that millions of opponents are waiting for you.
17.Ready position for beginners and natural position for advanced students.
18.Kata is one thing. Engaging in a real fight is another.
19.Do not forget (1)strength and weakness of power, (2)expansion and contraction of the body, (3)slowness and speed of techniques.
20.Devise at all times.

Today Shotokan become the very popular karate style. The first organization propagating Shotokan as style was Nippon Karate Kyokai or Japan Karate Association (JKA). Later, due the difference and conflicts between seniors and instructors JKA split numerous times. Many ex JKA instructors then formed new Shotokan organization. Now there are so many Shotokan organization, but the most popular only JKA, KWF, SKIF, JSKA, WSKF and ISKF.