Shoto-kan Karate
Shotokan is a school of karate, developed from various martial arts by master Gichin Funakoshi
(1868-1957) and his son Yoshitaka. 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. Shōtō was the pen name Funakoshi used in
his poetry, which means "pine waves" ([1], pg. 85), while kan means "house". Hence shōtō-kan
was the name of the hall where he trained his students. Shotokan is one of the world's major
karate styles (the seven biggest styles being Shotokan, Shorin-Ryu, Wado-ryu, Shito-ryu, Goju-
ryu, Kyokushin, and Kenpo)
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.
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 his students established the Japan Karate Association, 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.
1.
Never forget: karate begins with rei and ends with rei (Rei means courtesy or respect,
and is represented in karate by bowing)
2.
There is no first attack in karate
3.
Karate supports righteousness
4.
First understand yourself, then understand others
5.
The art of developing the mind is more important than the art of applying technique
6.
The mind needs to be freed
7.
Trouble is born of negligence / ignorance
8.
Do not think karate belongs only in the dojo
9.
Karate training requires a lifetime
10.
Transform everything into karate; therein lies its exquisiteness
11.
Karate is like hot water, if you do not give it heat constantly, it will again become cold
water
12.
Do not think that you have to win, rather think you do not have to lose
13.
Transform yourself according to the opponent
14.
The outcome of the fight depends on one's control
15.
Imagine one's arms and legs as swords
16.
Once you leave the shelter of home, there are a million enemies
17.
Postures are for the beginner; later they are natural positions
18.
Perform the kata correctly; the real fight is a different matter
19.
Do not forget control of the dynamics of power, the elasticity of the body and the speed
of the technique
20.
Apply the way of Karate to all things. Therein lies its beauty.