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Image:Funakoshi Gichin.jpg Gichin Funakoshi
OriginsFunakoshi 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. Common Terms
CharacteristicsTraining 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.[citation needed] Shotokan can be regarded as a hard and 'external' martial art.
Source:[2] Also, Dojo Kun is very important:
The prefix Hitotsu (variously tranlated as one or first) is used to indicate that all five principles are equally important. Another less literal translation of the Kun, though possibly a better contextual translation, used by many:
"The Ultimate aim of Karate lies not in victory or defeat, but in the perfection of the character of the participant." Shotokan TodayToday, Shotokan remains a very popular style worldwide: The earliest organisation propagating Shotokan was the Nihon Karate-do Kyokai, more widely known as the Japan Karate Association (JKA). This was the first formal Shotokan organisation, formed by the Shotokan karate clubs of Japanese universities of the time, members mainly coming from Takushoku university, but also from Hosei, Waseda, Gakushuin and Keio universities. The JKA was headed by Masatoshi Nakayama, with Gichin Funakoshi holding the position equivalent to Professor Emeritus. JKA grew to be one of the biggest karate organisations in the world. Differences between senior instructors and administrators gave rise to a number of breakaway groups, eventually resulting in the JKA itself splitting into two distinct factions. Aside from the JKA, Gichin Funakoshi is believed to have given direct permission to Tsutomu Ohshima, to start a karate 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. 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 break away from the JKA to found his own organisation, called Shotokan Karate International. He studied under Masatoshi Nakayama (1913-1987), late headmaster of the JKA and Hidetaka Nishiyama (1928-present), both disciples of Gichin Funakoshi. Kanazawa's group 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 practitioners of shotokan, and was a top contender in competition. Most notably, he won the Kumite championship at the first JKA open tournament in 1957 with a broken hand. He was awarded 10th Dan in April 2000, and is the only karate practitioner to have held this grade while still alive. 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 Shikoku, 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 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. A highly respected karate-ka both in Japan and internationally, Abe is one of a few senior Shotokan instructors alive today, who truly teaches the concepts and methodology of his former teacher, Masatoshi Nakayama. He was also responsible for formulating the Shobu Ippon tournament rules, used by most Shotokan stylists in the world today. Mikio Yahara, (1947- present) Chief Instructor of the Karatenomichi World Federation (KWF), 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 the Unsu and Empi Katas. 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. He is also notorious for exploits such as singlehandly beating off 34 local Yakuza in a parking lot, facing down a gangster with a gun, and turning up for a championship competition carrying a knife wound.[3] 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. At 59, Yahara is still a dangerous fighter, fracturing three of his opponent's ribs during 8th dan promotion kumite in July 2006. 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 (1935-2006) 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's 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. Keinosuke Enoeda 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. The KUS has splintered into many subgroups, with the JKA being represented in Scotland by two groups; the JKA (Scotland) and the JKA World Federation (Scotland). The JKA continues to be represented in England by JKA England headed by Yoshinobu Ohta. Hidetaka Nishiyama, Chairman of the International Traditional Karate Federation (ITKF) and President of the American Amateur Karate Federation (AAKF), was born in Tokyo in 1928 and 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 its first chairman. In 1951 he became a founding member of the Japan Karate Association (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 Strategic Air Command (SAC) Combat Training Program. The other karate instructors for this program included Gichin Funakoshi, Masatoshi Nakayama, and Isao Obata. He is one of the most senior Shotokan karateka in the world today and lists amongst his former students Hiroshi Shirai and Takeshi Oishi. Mr Nishiyama continues to instruct at the Central Dojo in Los Angeles and conducts a busy schedule conducting seminars and courses around the U.S. and abroad. He also is producing new texts and manuals as well as instructional video tapes concerning traditional karate. 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 (ISKF), which is part of the JKA. He studied under both Funakoshi and Nakayama. Note. Although this is a list of some of the most senior shotokan instructors and their organisations, it is not complete. Partially due to the great politicization of Shotokan karate, many organizations exist, many with excellent instructors. Some organizations however, are run by charlatans. An additional note: Another group of karate practitioners, also practice the karate taught by Gichin Funakoshi. They were called the Shotokai, or association/group of Shoto (Funakoshi), and comprised of extremely talented students of Funakoshi. The karate they practice is now officially referred to as Shotokai to differentiate from Shotokan, which was the karate propagated by the JKA. The Shotokai claim Shigeru Egami, the seniormost of the Shotokai, was named successor by Funakoshi after the death of this son Yoshitaka. Shotokan KataKata is often described as a set sequence of karate moves organised into a prearranged fight against imaginary opponents. The kata consists of kicks, punches, sweeps, strikes, blocks and throws. Body movement in the various kata includes, stepping, twisting, turning, dropping to the ground and jumping. Several Shotokan groups have introduced kata from other styles into their training but when the Japan Karate Association (JKA) was formed by Nakayama Sensei, he laid these 26 kata down as the training kata for the JKA karateka. Even today, many thousands of Shotokan Dojo only practice these 26 Kata. Kata should be executed with the correct attitude first and foremost, if the karate practitioner has an understanding of the kata, each fast move will be executed with speed, power and intent. The karateka will execute the technique as if their life depends on it! Kata is not a performance, or a demonstration, it is for the individual karateka to practice full techniques with 'Ikken Hisatsu' (finishing blow or to kill with one blow). There is most definitely a health aspect to kata, the practice of kata is great for fitness, keeping the body soft, supple and agile. As the karateka gets older, a lot more emphasise is put on health and for good reason. Image:Funakoshi Gichin2.jpg Funakoshi 観空(Kanku)
see references [4] [5][6] KumiteBeginners 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) while executing a gedan barai (low block) 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, and also provides an opportunity for practicing major counters (as opposed to minor counters). Usually the last element of sparring to be introduced is jiyu kumite (free sparring) where two participants are free to use any choice of karate technique or combination attacks and the opponent is free to avoid, block and attack at will. Tradition in shotokan karate is that jiyu kumite uses controlled contact to the opponent. Participants are encouraged to make contact with their opponent but to withdraw their attack after surface contact has been made. 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 healthy degree of safety for the participants. The use of throws and takedowns is permitted in free sparring, however it is very unusual for fights to involve extended grappling or ground-wrestling as shotokan practitioners are encouraged to finish a downed opponent with a punch or kick. An additional method of training which is usually introduced for higher grades is kaishu ippon kumite. This starts in a similar manner to jiyu ippon kumite; one karateka names the attack they intend to throw, attacks, and their partner blocks and counters their attack. Unlike jiyu ippon kumite, however, the original attacker must block their partner's counter-attack and strike back at them. This exercise is often considered more difficult than either jiyu ippon kumite or free sparring as participants cannot escape to a safe distance. DojoThe Dojo (道場) 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[7]:
At 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. Rank SystemAround the 1920's, Funakoshi adopted the Kyu/Dan system, along with the keikogi that had been developed by judo's founder 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 within each. Here is the original belt system, still used by Shotokan Karate of America.[8]
The 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 colours. The most common, used by the JKA and most other large mainstream, international Shotokan associations is given below but other variations exist.
Trivia
Example Techniques
References
See also
Further reading
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