Shotokan
Shotokan (松涛館
Shōtōkan), literally,
the house of pine waves, is a school of
karate, reflecting the style of the initial students (including his son, Yoshitaka) of master
Gichin Funakoshi (1868-1957).
Gichin Funakoshi was the man who 'officially' brought karate from
Okinawa to mainland
Japan, although
Kenwa Mabuni,
Motobu Choki and other Okinawans were actively teaching karate in Japan prior to this point. "Shoto" was the pen name Gichin Funakoshi used in his poetry, which means "pine waves" (
[Funakoshi, Gichin (1981). "Karate-do: My Way of Life". Kodansha International Ltd, Tokyo. ISBN 0-87011-463-8.], pg. 85), while "kan" means house. Hence "shotokan" was the name of the hall where he trained his students.
[[image:karate-kumite.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Enbu (Public Demonstration). {{Mikio Yahara}}, Chief Instructor of the {{Karatenomichi World Federation}} seen executing a jodan ushiro mawashi geri (a hook kick to the head), an excellent kick for surprising an opponent and evading blocks.]]
Funakoshi had trained in both of the popular styles of Okinawan karate of the time:
Shorei-ryu and
Shorin-ryu. After years of intense study of both styles, Master Funakoshi arrived at a new understanding of martial arts, and a simpler style was created, that combined the ideals of Shorei and Shorin. He combined and modified the styles, and made his own, though he never named it, always referring to it simply as "karate". The karate that he transmitted to his students reflects the changes made in the art by
Anko Itosu, including the
Heian/Pinan kata series. Funakoshi himself changed the names of the kata included in his curriculum, in an effort to make the "foreign" Okinawan names more palatable to the then nationalistic Japanese mainland. In several cases, Shotokan kata have been modified, in some places favoring athleticism over practicality. An example of a modified kata is found in
nijushiho where side thrust kicks were added.
| Term | Kanji | Meaning | | Karate | 空手 | Japanese Martial Arts(lit. Empty hand) |
| Dojo | "場 | Training hall (lit. Place of the way) |
| Shihan | 師範 | Senior instructor |
| Sensei | 先" | Teacher |
| Sempai | 先輩 | Senior student |
| Gi | 衣 or 着 | Uniform |
| Kyu | 級 | Levels below Black belt, counting down to 1st-kyu usually from 10th-kyu |
| Dan | 段 | Steps showing mastery of the art, starting from 1-dan |
| Rei | 礼 | Courtesy/Bow |
| Osu | 押忍 | Acknowledgement |
| Yoi | "意 | Ready |
| Hajime | 始め | Begin |
| Yame | 止め | Stop |
| Mawatte | 回って | Turn |
| Narande | 並"で | Line up |
| Kihon | 基本 | Basic |
| Kata | 型or形 | Form |
| Kumite | 組手 | Sparring |
| zanshin | 残心 | Remaining mind |
|
Training is usually divided into three sections:
kihon or "basics",
kumite or "sparring", and
kata (forms or patterns of moves). Shotokan techniques in kihon and kata are characterised by deep, long stances which provide stability, powerful movements and also helps strengthen the legs. Strength and power are often demonstrated instead of slower, more flowing motions. The kumite techniques mirror these stances and movements at a basic level, but progress to being more "free" and flexible at a higher level. Funakoshi is said to have found the traditional martial arts (such as
sumo,
jujutsu and
kenjutsu) to be too focused on combat, and he put more emphasis on health, breathing, releasing energy and outstanding mind and body control. Shotokan can be regarded as a 'hard' and 'external' martial art.
Before he established the JKA, Master Funakoshi Gichin laid out the
Twenty Precepts of Karate, which form the foundations of the art. Within these twenty principles, based heavily on Bushido and Zen, lies the philosophy of Shotokan.
# Never forget: karate begins with rei and ends with rei (
Rei means courtesy or respect, and is represented in karate by bowing)# There is no first attack in karate# Karate supports righteousness# First understand yourself, then understand others# The art of developing the mind is more important than the art of applying technique# The mind needs to be freed# Trouble is born of negligence# Do not think karate belongs only in the dojo# Karate training requires a lifetime# Transform everything into karate; therein lies its exquisiteness# Genuine karate is like hot water; it cools down if you do not keep on heating it# Do not think of winning; you must think of not losing# Transform yourself according to the opponent# The outcome of the fight depends on one's control# Imagine one's arms and legs as swords# Once you leave the shelter of home, there are a million enemies# Postures are for the beginner; later they are natural positions# Do the kata correctly; the real fight is a different matter# Do not forget control of the dynamics of power, the elasticity of the body and the speed of the technique# Always be good at the application of everything that you have learned.Source:
Also,
Dojo Kun is vey important:
#
Hitotsu, jinkaku kansei ni tsutomuro koto.First, seek perfection of character.#
Hitotsu, makoto no michi wo mamoru koto.First, defend the path of truth.#
Hitotsu, doryoku no seishin o yashinau koto.First, strive to excel.#
Hitotsu, reigi o omonzuru koto.First, be courteous.#
Hitotsu, kekki no yu o imashimuru koto.First, refrain from violence.
Today, Shotokan remains a very popular style worldwide:
Master Funakoshi gave direct permission to Mr.
Tsutomu Ohshima, to start a Shotokan organization in the United States of America.
Shotokan Karate of America is a nonprofit organization that has been teaching traditional karate-do in the United States since 1955. SKA is still led by Tsutomu Ohshima to this day. Mr. Ohshima is also recognized as the chief instructor of many other SKA-affiliated national Shotokan organizations worldwide. SKA maintains its national headquarters in Los Angeles.
Hirokazu Kanazawa (1931-present) was the first to found his own school, called
Shotokan Karate International. He studied under
Masatoshi Nakayama (1913-1987) and
Hidetaka Nishiyama (1928-present), both disciples of Gichin Funakoshi. His group introduced elements of
Tai Chi Chuan, particularly in the matter of flow and balance, and more traditional karate.
Taiji Kase (1929-2004) also founded his own group, called the
World Shotokan Karate Academy[
1], since re-born as the Shotokan-Ryu-Kase-Ha Instructor Academy. He studied martial arts under his father (a
Judo instructor), as well as both Gichin Funakoshi and his son Yoshitaka Funakoshi. He left Japan in 1964 to teach karate internationally, but started teaching his own style of Shotokan to avoid the power struggles in the art. The SRKHIA is an organisation for 3rd Dans and above as individual members; it does not register national associations and as such its mission is for the technical development of its members to continue.
Keigo Abe (1938-present) born from a very old and highly respected samurai family, in the town of Iyoshi in Ehime prefecture on the island of Shikoken, Japan , he is seen by many traditional karate-ka as being one of the most senior and innovative Shotokan instructors in the world today. As a student at the
Japan Karate Association honbu, Keigo Abe's tutelage came directly under
Masatoshi Nakayama (1913-1987) a situation which is reflected in his deference to Masatoshi Nakayama, as being his only headmaster. Keigo Abe was a former senior instructor at the JKA Honbu, having graduated from the world renowned instructors class and as a senior member of the JKA, held the office of Director of Quaifications in the original, pre-split Japan Karate Association. However after the split in 1990, he became the Technical Director of the JKA (Matsuno Section) a position which he held during some of the association's most turbulent years. In his youth with the JKA he was deemed a highly competent and aggressive tournament fighter, and took 3rd place in the very first JKA National Championships; was the captain of the Japanese team at the second World Championships in Paris, France; won 1st place at the JKA international Friendship Tournament in 1973, and took 1st place in the second and third JKF National Championships as a representative of Tokyo. Renowned for his strong traditional approach to Shotokan karate which is reflected in his instruction, he retired from the JKA in 1999 to form his own international organisation, the
Japan Shotokan Karate Association (JSKA) based in Japan, which has a large following worldwide. It is represented by regional groups in each country, an example being the
JSKA-Great Britain[
2]]
Mikio Yahara, (1947- present) Chief Instructor of the
Karatenomichi World Federation, graduated from
Kokushikan University and became an Instructor of the
Japan Karate Association during its zenith in the 1970s and 1980s. In over a decade of competition, Yahara distinguished himself as a predatory fighter, monopolizing the high ranks of domestic, international and world championships, but as Kata World Cup Champion, he is probably most famous for his performance of
Unsu. Yahara is regarded by some, along with
Hirokazu Kanazawa and
Tetsuhiko Asai as one of the most technically brilliant, naturally talented and controversial Karateka that the
Japan Karate Association ever produced. In Japan and abroad, he is somewhat of a
controversial legend. When
Tetsuhiko Asai, Yahara,
Keigo Abe, Akihito Isaka and other leading JKA Karateka formed the Matsuno Section of the JKA, Yahara became Assistant Chief Instructor. In 2000, Yahara formed the
Karatenomichi World Federation (KWF) with Isaka. The
KWF] is represented in over 40 countries. At 59, Yahara is still a
http://www.kwf.jp/yahara640_480_e.html lethal fighter,
fracturing three of his opponent's ribs during kumite in July 2006, when he was
awarded 8th Dan. KWF claims that no other senior karate instructor has ever submitted himself or herself to real kumite, in front of juniors and in front of the camera, for his 8th dan.
Tetsuhiko Asai (1935-present) born in Ehime, Japan in 1935, as a young boy he often practiced Sumo, Judo, Kendo, and the Spear from his father. He studied at the Takushoku University in Tokyo where he studied Shotokan karate. He joined the instructors programme and became an instructor with the JKA. In later years he instructed in China, Hong Kong, America, Europe and Hawaii where he led the Hawaiian Karate Association. Mr Asai was made Chief Instructor of the JKA after
Masatoshi Nakayama death in 1987, however, he along with a number of senior JKA instructors, opposed the appointment of Nakahara as Chairman and they formed a separate JKA (Matsuno Section). Following a lengthy legal battle, the Nakahara group won the rights to the JKA title and Asai's own group adopted the name of the
Japan Karate Shotorenmei (JKS) which has a large following both internationally and in Japan itself.
Enoeda Keinosuke was the JKA representative in the United Kingdom for many years, with his organisation, the
KUGB acting as the largest British arm of the JKA. The Karate Union of Scotland both North and South represented the JKA in Scotland, and also came under the direct leadership of Mr Enoeda's KUGB. Since his death in 2003, the KUGB has continued as an independent organisation under the leadership of
Andy Sherry while the KUS has splintered and affiliated with the JKA (Scotland) and JKA World Federation (Scotland). The JKA continues to be represented in England by JKA England headed by Yoshinobu Ohta.
Hidetaka Nishiyama still practices and teaches in Los Angeles, California, as part of the JKI, (Japan Karate Institute).
John Fonseca is the current most decorated Shotokan Karate kumite champion in the U.S.A.
Teruyuki Okazaki (1931-present) is the head of the International Shotokan Karate Federation, which is part of the JKA. He studied under both Master Funakoshi, and Master Nakayama.
Note. Although this is a list of some of the most senior shotokan instructors, it is not complete.
Partially due to the great politicalization of karate, many organizations exist, many with excellent senseis, and some with senseis who claim to be excellent.
see reference
[Sugiyama, Shojiro (1984). "25 Shoto-Kan Kata". Shojiro Sugiyama, Chicago. ISBN 0-9669048-0-X.] ,
[Funakoshi, Gichin (1973). "Karate-do Kyohan", Kodansha International Ltd, Tokyo. ISBN 0-87011-190-6.]Beginners are usually introduced to
kumite training with 'gohon kumite' (five-step sparring). In many dojos, students are instead started with 'sanbon kumite' (three-step sparring). Two karateka are required for the exercise. Once they pair up and bow, the attacking karateka steps back into a zenkutsu dachi (front stance) and announces in a clear, audible fashion the attack. The first type is designated 'jodan' (high level), where they will subsequently execute a high oi-zuki. Their partner must then react by stepping back and executing an age-uke to block the attack. This is repeated until the fifth oi-zuki, when the defender executes a minor counter in the form of a gyaku zuki. The defender is expected to kiai with their counter attack.
That completes one sequence. The next step is for the karateka to return to yoi position (in some associations the counter-attacker moves forward to the yoi position, in some backwards) and the one that was defending takes a turn at attacking, repeating the sequence above.
The other type of gohon kumite is designated 'chudan' (mid level). The differences are that chudan level oi-zuki are used by the attacker and soto-uke blocks are used by the defender.
The next stage of kumite training is the 'sanbon kumite' (three-step sparring). As its name suggest it involves three steps. It is homologous to gohon kumite but instead of five steps, has three.
At intermediate level (usually above 5th kyu), karateka are expected to learn 'ippon kumite' (one step sparring). Though it is only one step, it is more advanced because it involves a greater variety of attacks and blocks. It also requires the defender to execute a minor counter in a timely fashion. Minor counters can be almost anything, including strikes, grapples and take-downs.
The next level of kumite is the 'jiyu ippon kumite' (freestyle one step sparring)(Tsutomu Ohshima actually says in his book "Notes on Training" that jiyu ippon kumite is the most realistic practice in Shotokan Karate, and that it is more realistic than jiyu kumite). This is almost the same as ippon kumite but requires the karateka to be in motion. Practice in this is beneficial in improving
jiyu kumite (freestyle sparring) skills.
The Dojo ("場) is a sacred space used in the practice of karate. Dojo is composed of two characters and means literally, place of the way. A proper Japanese-style martial arts dojo is considered special and is well cared for by its users. In many styles it is traditional to conduct a ritual cleaning of the dojo at the end of each training session (called
sojii). Many traditional dojo follow a prescribed pattern with shomen and various entrances that are used based on student and instructor rank laid out precisely. It is not uncommon to find the name of the dojo and the
dojo kun (dojo rules) displayed prominently at shomen as well.
The dojo kun used by the International Shotokan Karate Federation, Japan Shotokan Karate Association and the
JKA is as follows
:
* Exert oneself in the perfection of character
* Be faithful and sincere
* Cultivate the spirit of perseverance
* Respect propriety
* Refrain from impetuous and violent behaviourAt the end of a training session,
mokuso (meditation) may occur. It is a short, tranquil period where the karateka can reflect on the session just finished.
Around the 1920's, Funakoshi adopted the Kyu/Dan system, along with the Judoka's uniform, the Gi that had been developed by Kano Jigoro. This system used colored belts as an indication of rank.Originally, Karate had only 3 obi (belt) colours. White, Brown and Black, with several ranks of each. Here is the original belt system, still used by Shotokan Karate of America [
3]:
*Ungraded - white
*8th kyu - 4th kyu - white
*3rd kyu - 1st kyu - brown
*1st dan - blackThe first "
shodan" (初段) ranks given by Funakoshi in karate were to Tokuda, Otsuka, Akiba, Shimizu, Hirose, Gima, and Kasuya on April 10, 1924.
Most schools use the kyu/dan system but have added other colors, a common system is listed below.
*10th kyu - White
*9th kyu - Orange
*8th kyu - Red
*7th kyu - Yellow
*6th kyu - Green
*5th kyu - Purple
*4th kyu - Purple & White (centre stripe)
*3rd kyu - Brown
*2nd kyu - 2nd Brown & 1 white stripe (or no new belt or centre white stripe)
*1st kyu - Brown & White (centre stripe or 2 white stripes)
*1st dan and above - Black
This colour system is the most common and is used by the
JKA and most large Shotokan associations in the UK and Europe such as: JSKA (Abe), JKS (Asai), KWF (Yahara), WSKF (Kasuya), SKIF (Kanazawa), IJKA (Asai/Kato), ISKDA (Sumi), WKA (Kase), KUGB (Sherry), WTKO(Mullin/Amos), WJKA (Knobel), ISKF(Okazaki) to name but a few.
*In the
Mortal Kombat games, the character
Sub-Zero uses shotokan as one of his styles. It does not resemble real shotokan.
*Bruce Kanegai, a contestant on
Survivor: Panama, is a Godan (5th dan black belt) in Shotokan Karate of America. Godan is the highest rank in Shotokan Karate of America and is very hard to achieve, so it is comparable to the highest rank of some other federations.
*In the
Street Fighter games, the characters
Ken Masters and
Ryu are both misinterpreted to be masters of Shotokan; while the games were translated by Capcom of USA to Shotokan, the style they actually use is
Ansatsuken.
*In the
Tekken series, character
Jin Kazama uses Shotokan in Tekken 4, Tekken 5, and Tekken: Dark Resurrection. In the previous two titles-Tekken 3 and Tekken Tag- he uses another style referred to as Mishima Style Fighting Karate.
*
List of shotokan techniques*
Karate kata*
Karate,
budo,
martial art,
zen*
Japan Karate Association*
Karatenomichi World Federation*
Karate Union of Great Britain*
International Shotokan-ryu Karate-do Shihankai*
Japanese martial arts titlesExternal links
*
ShotoMag: free online Shotokan magazine*
Official Shotokan Karate-Do International Federation website*
Gichin Funakoshi Tribute Page*
Online Martial Arts Magazine and discussion forum*
International Shotokan Karate FederationFurther reading
*Harry Cook -
Shotokan Karate: A Precise History.
*Gichin Funakoshi -
Karate-do Nyumon*Randall G. Hassell -
Shotokan Karate: Its History and Evolution (Damashi, 1984). ISBN 0911921052.
*Masatoshi Nakayama
Dynamic Karate
