Shotokan

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Shōtōkan (松濤館流)
Date founded	1936
Country of origin	Japan
Founder	Gichin Funakoshi (1868–1957) Yoshitaka Funakoshi (1906–1945)
Arts taught	Karate
Ancestor arts	Chinese Martial Arts, Okinawan Martial Arts
Ancestor schools	Shorin-ryū • Shorei-ryu
Descendant schools	Wadō-ryū • Shōtōkai • Chitō-ryū •Kyokushin • Shindō jinen-ryū • Yoseikan Karate

Shotokan (松濤館流, Shōtōkan-ryū^?) is a school of karate, developed from various martial arts by Gichin Funakoshi (1868–1957) and his son Yoshitaka Funakoshi (1906–1945). Gichin Funakoshi is widely recognized as having brought karate from Okinawa to mainland Japan, although Kenwa Mabuni, Chōki Motobu, and other Okinawan karate masters were actively teaching karate in Japan prior to this point.^{[citation needed]}

Shotokan is one of the five traditional karate styles,^{[citation needed]} the others being Gōjū-ryū, Shitō-ryū, Shōrin-ryū and Wadō-ryū. Although it began as a unified karate school that developed into the Japan Karate Association, Shotokan now exists as several independent organizations.

Contents 1 Etymology 2 Characteristics 2.1 Philosophy 2.2 Common Terms 2.3 Ranks 2.4 Kata 2.5 Kumite 3 History 3.1 Origins 4 Major Shotokan Organizations 4.1 Japan Karate Association 4.2 Shotokai 4.3 International Traditional Karate Federation 4.4 Shotokan Karate of America 4.5 Shotokan Karate-do International Federation 4.6 International Shotokan Karate Federation 4.7 Japan Karate Shotorenmei 4.8 Japan Shotokan Karate Association 4.9 Karatenomichi World Federation 5 See also 6 Footnotes 7 Sources 8 Further reading 9 External links

[edit] Etymology

Shoto (松濤, Shōtō^?), meaning "pine waves", was Funakoshi's pen-name,^[1] which he used in his poetic and philosophical writings and messages to his students. The Japanese kan (館, kan^?) means "house" or "hall". In honour of their sensei, Funakoshi's students created a sign reading shōtō-kan which was placed above the entrance of the hall where Funakoshi taught.^[1].Gichin Funakoshi never gave his style a name, just calling it "karate".

[edit] Characteristics

Shotokan training is usually divided into three parts: kihon (basics), kata (forms or patterns of moves), and kumite (sparring). Techniques in kihon and kata are characterized by deep, long stances that provide stability, enable powerful movements, and strengthen the legs. Strength and power are often demonstrated instead of slower, more flowing motions. Kumite techniques mirror these stances and movements at a basic level, but progress to being more flexible with greater experience. Shotokan can be regarded as a 'hard' and 'external' martial art.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Philosophy

Gichin Funakoshi laid out the Twenty Precepts of Karate,^[2] (or niju kun^[3]) which form the foundations of the art, before his students established the JKA. Within these twenty principles, based heavily on Bushido and Zen, lies the philosophy of Shotokan.

The principles allude to notions of humility, respect, compassion, patience, and both an inwardly and outwardly calmness. It was Funakoshi's belief that through karate practice and observation of these 20 principles, the karateka would improve their person.^[1]

Many shotokan students typically recite the Dojo kun at the end of each class:

1. Hitotsu, jinkaku kansei ni tsutomuru koto.
   (First, seek perfection of character.)
2. Hitotsu, makoto no michi o mamoru koto.
   (First, protect the path of truth.)
3. Hitotsu, doryoku no seishin o yashinau koto.
   (First, foster the spirit of effort.)
4. Hitotsu, reigi o omonzuru koto.
   (First, respect the rules of etiquette.)
5. Hitotsu, kekki no yū o imashimuru koto.
   (First, guard against impetuous courage.)

The prefix Hitotsu (variously translated as one or first) is used to indicate that all five principles are equally important. The JKA uses this version:

1. Seek perfection of character.
2. Be faithful.
3. Endeavor .
4. Respect others.
5. Refrain from violent behavior.((fact}}

Funakoshi also wrote: "The ultimate aim of Karate lies not in victory or defeat, but in the perfection of the character of the participant."^[1]

[edit] Common Terms

General and philosophical terms used in Shotokan include:

Term	Kanji	Meaning
Karate	空手	"Empty hand"; kara means "empty" and te means "hand"
Dojo	道場	Training hall (literally "place of the way")
Gi	衣 or 着	Uniform
Kata	型 or 形	Form
Kihon waza	基本	Basics
Kumite	組手	Sparring
Zanshin	残心	Awareness

Rank-related terms used in Shotokan include:

Term	Kanji	Meaning
Sensei	先生	Teacher. Someone who has more experience than you. e.g. your parents or an older brother or sister.
Shihan	師範	Master teacher (rarely used title)
Sōke	そうけ	Headmaster
Kohai	後輩	Junior
Sempai	先輩	Senior
Kyū	級	Ranks below black belt status, counting down from 8th kyū (usually) to 1st kyū
Dan	段	Ranks showing expertise in the art, starting from 1st dan (black belt) and counting up

Class command terms used in Shotokan include:

Term	Kanji	Meaning
Rei	礼	Courtesy/bow
Narande	並んで	Line up
Osu	押忍	Acknowledgment (used as a salutation between martial art practitioners)
Yoi	用意	Ready position
Hajime	始め	Begin
Yame	止め	Finish/complete your movement
Matte	待って	Stop immediately
Mawatte	回って	Turn

[edit] Ranks

Rank is used in karate to indicate experience, expertise, and to a lesser degree, seniority. As with many martial arts, Shotokan uses a system of coloured belts to indicate rank. Most Shotokan schools use the kyū/dan system but have added other belt colors. The order of colors varies widely from school to school, but kyu belts are denoted with colours that become darker as a student approaches shodan. Dan level belts are invariably black, with some schools using strips to denote various ranks of black belt.

[edit] Kata

Main article: Kata

Kata is often described as a set sequence of karate moves organized into a pre-arranged fight against imaginary opponents. The kata consists of kicks, punches, sweeps, strikes, blocks, and throws. Body movement in various kata includes stepping, twisting, turning, dropping to the ground, and jumping. In Shotokan, kata is not a performance or a demonstration, but is for individual karateka to practice full techniques—with every technique potentially a killing blow (ikken hisatsu)—while paying particular attention to form and timing (rhythm). As the karateka grows older, more emphasis is placed on the health benefits of practicing kata, promoting fitness while keeping the body soft, supple, and agile.

Several Shotokan groups have introduced kata from other styles into their training, but when the JKA was formed, Nakayama laid down 27 kata as the kata syllabus for this organization. Even today, thousands of Shotokan dojo only practice these 27 kata. The standard kata are: Taikyoku shodan (太極初段), Heian shodan (平安初段), Heian nidan (平安二段), Heian sandan (平安三段), Heian yondan (平安四段), Heian godan (平安五段), Bassai dai (披塞大), Jion (慈恩), Empi (燕飛), Kanku dai (観空大), Hangetsu (半月), Jitte (十手), Gankaku (岩鶴), Tekki shodan (鉄騎初段), Tekki nidan (鉄騎二段), Tekki sandan (鉄騎三段), Nijushiho (二十四步), Chinte (珍手), Sochin (壯鎭), Meikyo (明鏡), Unsu (雲手), Bassai sho (披塞小), Kanku sho (観空小), Wankan (王冠), Gojushiho sho (五十四歩小), Gojushiho dai (五十四歩大), and Ji'in (慈陰).^[4][5][6]

[edit] Kumite

Main article: Kumite

Kumite, or sparring, is the practical application of kata to real opponents. While the techniques used in sparring are only slightly different than kihon, the formalities of kumite in Shotokan karate were first instituted by Masatoshi Nakayama wherein basic, intermediate, and advanced sparring techniques and rules were formalized.^[7]

Shotokan practitioners first learn how to apply the techniques taught in kata to "hypothetical" opponents by way of kata bunkai. Kata bunkai then matures into controlled kumite.^[8]

Beginners normally commence kumite training with five-step sparring (gohon kumite) or three-step sparring (sanbon kumite). These exercises require two training partners. Partners begin kumite with a bow and the attacker steps back into a front stance (zenkutsu dachi) while executing a downward block (gedan-barai), and announces the imminent attack in a clear, audible fashion. The first type of five-step sparring is designated high-level (jodan), where the attacker will subsequently execute a high lunge punch (oi-zuki). The defender then steps back and executes a rising block (age-uke) to block the attack. The training partners repeat this sequence until the fifth punch, when the defender then executes a minor counter-attack in the form of a reverse punch (gyaku-zuki). The defender is expected to kiai with the counter-attack. The next step is for the training partners to return to ready position (yoi) and the defender now becomes the attacker (and vice versa), repeating the sequence above. Another type of five-step sparring is designated mid-level (chudan). The differences are that the attacking partner uses mid-level punches and the defender uses outside mid-level blocks (soto-uke). An alternative sequence of attacks may be used at this level, in which the attacker executes a series of front snap kicks (mae geri), while the defender uses downward blocks (gedan-barai).^[7]

At intermediate level, usually above 5th kyū, karateka learn one-step sparring (ippon kumite). Though there is only one step involved, rather than three or five, this exercise is more advanced because it involves a greater variety of attacks and blocks.^[9] It also requires the defender to execute a counter-attack faster than in the earlier types of sparring. Counter-attacks may be almost anything, including strikes, grapples, and take-down maneuvers.

The next level of kumite is freestyle one-step sparring (jiyu ippon kumite). This type of kumite, and its successor--free sparring, have been documented extensively by Nakayama^{[7][10] [11]} and are expanded upon by the JKA instructor trainee program, for those clubs under the JKA. Freestyle one-step sparring is similar to one-step sparring but requires the karateka to be in motion. Practicing one-step sparring improves free sparring (jiyu kumite) skills, and also provides an opportunity for practicing major counter-attacks (as opposed to minor counter-attacks).^[8] Tsutomu Ohshima states that freestyle one-step sparring is the most realistic practice in Shotokan karate, and that it is more realistic than free sparring.^[12]

Free sparring (jiyu kumite) is the last element of sparring to be learned. In this exercise, two training partners are free to use any karate technique or combination of attacks, and the defender at any given moment is free to avoid, block, counter, or attack with any karate technique. Training partners are encouraged to make controlled and focused contact with their opponent, but to withdraw their attack as soon as surface contact has been made.^[10] This allows a full range of target areas to be attacked (including punches and kicks to the face, head, throat, and body) with no padding or protective gloves, but maintains a degree of safety for the participants. Throwing one's partner and performing takedowns are permitted in free sparring, however it is unusual for competition matches to involve extended grappling or ground-wrestling, as Shotokan karateka are encouraged to end an encounter with a single attack, avoiding extended periods of conflict or unnecessary contact.

Kaishu ippon kumite is an additional sparring exercise that is usually introduced for higher grades. This starts in a similar manner to freestyle one-step sparring; the attacker names the attack he/she will execute, attacks with that technique, and the defender blocks and counters the attack. Unlike freestyle one-step sparring, however, the attacker must then block the defender's counter-attack and strike back. This exercise is often considered more difficult than either freestyle one-step sparring or free sparring, as the defender typically cannot escape to a safe distance in time to avoid the counter to the counter-attack.^[8]

[edit] History

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding reliable references. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (June 2007)

[edit] Origins

Gichin Funakoshi had trained in both of the popular styles of Okinawan karate of the time: Shorei-ryu and Shorin-ryu. After years of study in both styles, Funakoshi created a simpler style that combined the ideals of the two.^[1] He never named his style, however, always referring to it simply as "karate." Funakoshi's karate reflects the changes made in the art by Ankō Itosu, including the Heian/Pinan kata series. Funakoshi changed the names of the kata in an effort to make the "foreign" Okinawan names more palatable to the then-nationalistic Japanese mainland.

In the 1920s, Funakoshi adopted the Kyū/Dan rank system and the uniform (keikogi) developed by Kano Jigoro, the founder of judo.^{[citation needed]} This system uses colored belts (obi) to indicate rank. Originally, karate had only three belt colors: white, brown, and black (with ranks within each). The original belt system, still used by Shotokan Karate of America,^[13] is:

• Ungraded: White
• 8th kyū–4th kyū: white
• 3rd kyū–1st kyū: brown
• Dan grades: black

Funakoshi awarded the first 1st dan (初段; shodan) Shotokan karate ranks to Tokuda, Otsuka, Akiba, Shimizu, Hirose, Gima, and Kasuya on 10 April 1924.^{[citation needed]} Hong Hi Choi, a key figure in the development of taekwondo, studied Shotokan karate during the Japanese occupation of Korea during the first half of the 20th century.

[edit] Major Shotokan Organizations

[edit] Japan Karate Association

The Japan Karate Association (JKA; "Nihon Karate Kyokai" in Japan) was the first formal Shotokan organization, formed by the Shotokan karate clubs of Japanese universities. Takushoku University provided the most members initially, but Hosei, Waseda, Gakushuin, and Keio Universities also contributed members. Masatoshi Nakayama (1913–1987) led the JKA, with Gichin Funakoshi holding a position equivalent to Professor Emeritus. The JKA grew to be one of the biggest karate organizations in the world. Differences between senior instructors and administrators gave rise to several breakaway groups, with the JKA itself eventually dividing into two factions. Nobuyuki Nakahara, Ueki Masaaki, Tanaka Masahiko, Yoshiharu Osaka and others led one faction, while Asai Tetsuhiko led the other. Following legal battles, the Nakahara group retained control of the JKA. The following sections describe some of the Shotokan organizations that descended from the JKA. The founders of these organizations are some of the most senior Shotokan instructors in the world.

[edit] Shotokai

Shigeru Egami (1912–1981), founded the Shōtōkai, or association/group of Shoto (Funakoshi). The Shotokai claims that Egami, the most senior of the Shotokai, was named successor by Gichin Funakoshi after the death of his son Yoshitaka.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] International Traditional Karate Federation

Hidetaka Nishiyama (1928–), 10th dan, is Chairman of the International Traditional Karate Federation (ITKF) and President of the American Amateur Karate Federation (AAKF). Nishiyama began his karate training in 1943 under Gichin Funakoshi at the Shotokan. Two years later, while enrolled at Takushoku University, he became a member of the university's karate team, for which in 1949 he was named captain. He was a co-founder of the All Japan Collegiate Karate Federation and was elected as its first chairman. In 1951, Nishiyama became a founding member of the JKA, and was elected to the JKA Board of Directors. In 1952, he was selected as a member of the martial arts combat instruction staff for the US Strategic Air Command (SAC) Combat Training Program. The other karate instructors for this program included Funakoshi, Nakayama, and Isao Obata. Nishiyama is one of the most senior Shotokan karateka in the world. His former students include Hiroshi Shirai and Takeshi Oishi. Nishiyama continues to instruct at the Central Dojo in Los Angeles.

[edit] Shotokan Karate of America

Tsutomu Ohshima (1930–present), 5th dan (the rank Funakoshi awarded him, and the rank he has retained by choice), is head of Shotokan Karate of America (SKA), a non-profit organization that has been teaching traditional karate-do in the United States since 1955. Ohshima was believed to have been given permission by Gichin Funakoshi to bring Shotokan karate to the USA. Ohshima is also recognized as the chief instructor of many other SKA-affiliated Shotokan organizations worldwide. SKA maintains its national headquarters in Los Angeles and is not affiliated with the JKA.

[edit] Shotokan Karate-do International Federation

Hirokazu Kanazawa (1931–), 10th dan, was the first to break away from the JKA, and called his organization "Shotokan Karate-do International Federation" (SKIF). Kanazawa had studied under Masatoshi Nakayama and Hidetaka Nishiyama (1928–), both students of Gichin Funakoshi. SKIF introduced elements of Tai Chi Chuan, particularly in the matter of flow and balance, and actively promoted the evolution of Shotokan while maintaining the traditional core of the art. Kanazawa is considered one of the most technically brilliant Shotokan exponents, and was a top contender in competition. Most notably, he won the kumite championship at the first JKA Open Tournament (1957) with a broken hand. Kanazawa was awarded 10th dan in 2000.

[edit] International Shotokan Karate Federation

Teruyuki Okazaki (1931–), 10th dan, leads the International Shotokan Karate Federation (ISKF), which is the largest Shotokan karate organization in North America and South America. Okazaki studied under Gichin Funakoshi and Masatoshi Nakayama, and was integral in the founding of the JKA Instructor Trainee program. As part of an effort by Nakayama to spread Shotokan karate internationally, Okazaki came to the USA in 1961. Okazaki founded the ISKF in 1977 and it was part of the JKA until June 2007.

[edit] Japan Karate Shotorenmei

Tetsuhiko Asai (1935–2006), 10th dan, often practiced Sumo, Judo, Kendo, and the Spear in his youth. Asai studied at the Takushoku University in Tokyo, where he also studied Shotokan karate. He joined the instructors' program and became a JKA instructor. In later years, Asai instructed in China, Hong Kong, America, Europe, and Hawaii (where he led the Hawaiian Karate Association). Asai was made Chief Instructor of the JKA after Masatoshi Nakayama's death in 1987; however, he—along with a number of other senior JKA instructors—opposed the appointment of Nakahara as Chairman, and so formed a separate JKA (Matsuno Section). Following a lengthy legal battle, the Nakahara group won the rights to the JKA title and Asai's group adopted the name of the Japan Karate Shotorenmei (JKS).

[edit] Japan Shotokan Karate Association

Keigo Abe (1938–present), 8th dan, as a student at the JKA Honbu, learned directly from Nakayama, which is reflected in his deference to Nakayama as being his only headmaster. Abe was a former senior instructor at the JKA Honbu, having graduated from the instructors' program. He held the office of Director of Qualifications in the original, pre-split JKA. However after the split in 1990, he became the Technical Director of the JKA (Matsuno Section), during some of the association's most turbulent years. In his youth, Abe 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 (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, he retired from the JKA in 1999 to form his own international organisation—the Japan Shotokan Karate Association (JSKA). Abe was also responsible for formulating the Shobu Ippon tournament rules, which are used by most Shotokan stylists today.

[edit] Karatenomichi World Federation

Mikio Yahara (1947–), 8th dan, is Chief Instructor of the Karatenomichi World Federation (KWF). Yahara graduated from Kokushikan University and became a JKA instructor during that organization's 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 and international championships. As a Kata World Cup Champion, he is probably most famous for his performance of the Unsu and Empi kata. He is known for single-handly defeating 34 local gangsters (yakuza), facing down a gangster with a gun, and turning up for a competition with a knife wound.^[14] 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 with Isaka and which is represented in over 40 countries. Yahara fractured three of his opponent's ribs during his 8th dan promotion kumite in July 2006. The KWF claims that no other senior karate instructor has ever submitted himself to real kumite, in front of juniors and in front of the camera, for his 8th dan. In April 2007, Yahara and Japanese industrial loan magnate Kenshin Oshima, who is also a personal pupil of Yahara officially opened the ShotoKan, ￥1 billion private members' dojo donated to the KWF by Oshima.

[edit] See also

• List of shotokan techniques
• International Shotokan Karate Federation

• Japan Karate Association
• Karatenomichi World Federation
• Karate Union of Great Britain

[edit] Footnotes

[edit] Sources

• Sugiyama, Shojiro. (2005). 11 Innovations in Karate. Chicago, IL.

[edit] Further reading

• Harry Cook. Shotokan Karate: A Precise History.
• Gichin Funakoshi. Karate-do Nyumon: The Master Introductory Text.
• Masatoshi Nakayama. Dynamic Karate.
• Bruce Clayton. Shotokan's Secret: The Hidden Truth Behind Karate's Fighting Origins.
• Randall G. Hassell. Shotokan Karate: Its History and Evolution (Damashi, 1984). ISBN 0-911921-05-2.
• Teruyuki Okazaki. Perfection of Character: Guiding Principles for the Martial arts & Everyday Life.
• Rob Redmond. Kata: The Folk Dances of Shotokan.
• Gichin Funakoshi. Karate-do Kyohan: The Master Text.
• John Sells. Unante: The Secrets of Karate (Panchita S. Hawley, 2nd ed. 2000) ISBN 0-910704-96-1 .

[edit] External links

• American Shotokan Karate Federation

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