SHOTOKAN

GICHIN FUNAKOSHI

KWF

MIKIO YAHARA

KATA

DOJOKUN

NIJUKUN

MASTERS

Shotokan (松濤館流, Shōtōkan-ryū) is a school of karate, developed from various older okinawan martial arts forms 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.

Shotokan is one of the five traditional Japanese karate styles, 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.

Shoto (松濤, Shōtō), meaning “pine waves”, was Funakoshi’s, and accomplised poet, pen-name, 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. Gichin Funakoshi never gave his style a name, just calling it “karate”.

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. Shotokan is often regarded as a ‘hard’ and ‘external’ martial art because it is taught that way to beginners and coloured belts to develop strong basic techniques and stances. Initially strength and power are demonstrated instead of slower, more flowing motions. Those who progress to brown and black belt level develop a much more fluid style which incorporates grappling and some aichido-like techniques, which can be found in the black belt katas. Kumite techniques mirror these stances and movements at a basic level, but progress to being more flexible with greater experience.