Is a style of karate developed from a number of martial arts by Gichin Funakoshi and his son Yoshitaka Funakoshi. The Shotokan style began as a unified art form, which began in Japan from 1921 and is considered to be one of the first styles of karate to be taught outside of Okinawa.
One of the five traditional karate styles, the others being Goju-ryu, Shito-ryu, Shorin-ryu and Wado-ryu, Shotokan is now taught throughout the world under the licence of a number of governing bodies.
There are three core elements to the style, kihon (basics), kata (simulated multiple attack) and kumite (sparing). There is strong emphasis on the basic stance (stand position) which gives the student a powerful posture to use attacking and defending techniques.
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Students learn a series of movements designed to defend and attack, which
are then combined to form a structured sequence of movements (blocks, kicks
and strikes) as a kata. The kata is a simulated attack and defence from multiple
opponents. Each level of training has a different associated kata which become
more complex.
Progression is through grading, in which a senior (usually black belt with additional training) instructor evaluates the students ability based on the display of taught moves and the kata. Shotokan is extremely accommodating for those with differing abilities, and it is the show of determination and fighting spirit that is equally important as technical ability.
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Gichin Funakoshi (1868-1957)
Often called the founder of modern karate, Gichin Funakoshi founded the style of shotokan and was one of the first karate masters to teach in Japan.
He had planned to attend medical school, but his families political views on the 'topknot' (a traditional hair style) made him ineligible. He then became an assistant teacher in Okinawa. From his school days, he was close friends with the son of a noted katate and kendo master, Anko Asato, who would be his fiist karate teacher.
Having been influenced by the distancing used in Kendo, he based Shotokan on the styles of Shorei-ryu and Shorin-ryu, the two styles of the time. The name 'Shotokan' is in reference to his pen name, Shoto, meaning pine waves, and 'Kan' meaning house, or training hall, thus Shotokan can be taken as the house of Shoto.
Following successful teaching in Okinawan, Funakoshi moved to Tokyo where he opened his first school or dojo. The literal meaning of Karate is 'China Hand', which Funakoshi changed to mean “empty hand' in reference to combat without weapons. The change was also to stop any confusion with Chinese boxing, upon which some techniques of karate were derived. His teaching created controversy in Okinawa which forced him to stay in Japan, and in doing so he created the Japan Karate Association.
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Yoshitaka Funakoshi (1906-1945)
Credited with developing the modern karate style, the third son of Gichin Funakoshi, Yoshitaka developed leg techniques including low stances, long leg attacks, and the more powerful hip movements.
His teaching resulted in the Shotokan karate taught by this school, any in many others around the world.
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Taiji Kase (1929-2004)
Considered by many to be a karate master, Kase was still in active
training until his death at the age of 75. Kase began his martial arts
career at 6, when he began to train in Judo, and reached 2nd dan at 15.
He then began karate-do, after seeing a book written by the karate master
Gichin Funakoshi, who he met and became a pupil.
He continued to practice karate as well as other art forms including Aikido.
At 16 he enlisted in the Japanese Navy, the Kamikaze special forces.
The war ended shortly after and he later said he had no reason to ever
be sad as he could have been killed in combat.
After the war he attended the University of Senshu and joined the karate
team. Many of the karate masters had been scattered across Japan and
Kase returned to Judo as there were no karate schools remaining. When
Gichin Funakoshi established the Shotokan schools, Kase again trained
in karate. He then began to teach around the world, importantly beating
French karate champions and thus proving his impressive karate style
and ability.
His contributions to karate have been to facilitate the progression
of black belt grades and to promote Shotokan. Many pupils and masters
consider him to be the last of the founding members of current Shotokan.
Thoes who have met him hold him in high regard, noting his affectionate
manner, modesty and great sense of humour.
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