Shotokan
Overview
Shotokan (松涛館 Shōtōkan), literally, the house of pine waves, is a school
of karate, reflecting the style of the initial students (including his son,
Yoshitaka) of master Gichin Funakoshi (1868-1957). Gichin 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. "Shoto" was the pen name Gichin Funakoshi used
in his poetry, which means "pine waves", while "kan" means house. Hence "shotokan"
was the name of the hall where he trained his students.
Origin:
 Japan
Origins
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. In several cases, Shotokan kata
have been modified, in some places favoring athleticism over practicality. An
example of a modified kata is found in nijushiho where side thrust kicks were
added.
Common Terms
| Term |
Kanji |
Meaning |
| Karate |
空手 |
Japanese Martial Arts(lit. Empty hand) |
| Dojo |
道場 |
Training hall (lit. Place of the way) |
| Shihan |
師範 |
Senior instructor |
| Sensei |
先生 |
Teacher |
| Sempai |
先輩 |
Senior student |
| Gi |
衣 or 着 |
Uniform |
| Kyu |
級 |
Levels below Black belt, counting down to 1st-kyu usually from 10th-kyu
|
| Dan |
段 |
Steps showing mastery of the art, starting from 1-dan |
| Rei |
礼 |
Courtesy/Bow |
| Osu |
押忍 |
Acknowledgement |
| Yoi |
用意 |
Ready |
| Hajime |
始め |
Begin |
| Yame |
止め |
Stop |
| Mawatte |
回って |
Turn |
| Narande |
並んで |
Line up |
| Kihon |
基本 |
Basic |
| Kata |
型or形 |
Form |
| Kumite |
組手 |
Sparring |
| zanshin |
残心 |
Remaining mind |
Characteristics
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.
Shotokan Today
Today, Shotokan remains a very popular style worldwide:
Master Funakoshi gave direct permission to Mr. Tsutomu Ohshima, to start
a Shotokan 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. Mr. 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 found his own school, called
Shotokan Karate International. He studied under Masatoshi Nakayama (1913-1987)
and Hidetaka Nishiyama (1928-present), both disciples of Gichin Funakoshi. His
group introduced elements of Tai Chi Chuan, particularly in the matter of flow
and balance, and more traditional karate.
Taiji Kase (1929-2004) also founded his own group, called the World Shotokan
Karate Academy[1], since re-born as the Shotokan-Ryu-Kase-Ha Instructor Academy.
He studied martial arts under his father (a Judo instructor), as well as both
Gichin Funakoshi and his son Yoshitaka Funakoshi. He left Japan in 1964 to teach
karate internationally, but started teaching his own style of Shotokan to avoid
the power struggles in the art. The SRKHIA, is an organisation for 3rd Dans
and above as individual members, it does not register national associations
and as such its mission is for the technical development of its members to continue.
Keigo Abe (1938-present) born in the town of Iyoshi in Ehime prefecture on
the island of Shikoken, Japan, he is one of the most senior Shotokan instructors
in the world today. As a student directly under Masatoshi Nakayama (1913-1987)
he was a former instructor at the JKA Honbu having graduated from the JKA instructors
class and as a senior member, held the office of JKA Director of Quaifications.
In 1990 he became the Technical Director of the JKA (Matsuno Section)during
some of the JKA's most turbulent years. However, in his youth with the JKA he
was deemed a very competent tournament fighter and took 3rd place in the 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. He retired from the JKA
in 1999 to form his own international organisation, the Japan Shotokan Karate
Association (JSKA) which has a large following worldwide. It has regional groups
in each country an example would be the JSKA-Great Britain]
Tetsuhiko Asai (1935-present) 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 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.
Hidetaka Nishiyama still practices and teaches in Los Angeles, California,
as part of the JKI, (Japan Karate Institute).
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, which is part of the JKA. He studied under both Master Funakoshi,
and Master Nakayama.
Note. Although this is a list of some of the most senior shotokan instructors,
it is not complete.
Partially due to the great politicalization of karate, many organizations
exist, many with excellent senseis, and some with senseis who claim to be excellent.
Shotokan Kata
| Name |
Kanji |
Meaning |
| Taikyoku shodan (aka Kihon) |
太極初段 |
Great Ultimate beginning step (basic) |
| Heian shodan |
平安初段 |
Peaceful Mind beginning step |
| Heian nidan |
平安二段 |
Peaceful Mind 2nd step |
| Heian sandan |
平安三段 |
Peaceful Mind 3rd step |
| Heian yondan |
平安四段 |
Peaceful Mind 4th step |
| Heian godan |
平安五段 |
Peaceful Mind 5th step |
| Tekki shodan |
鉄騎初段 |
Horse riding beginning step |
| Bassai dai |
披塞大 |
To Penetrate a Fortress (Major) |
| Jion |
慈恩 |
Kind and Graciousness |
| Enpi/Empei |
燕飛 |
Flight of the swallow |
| Kanku dai |
観空大 |
To Look At the Sky (Major) |
| Hangetsu |
半月 |
Half-moon |
| Jitte |
十手 |
Ten hands |
| Gankaku |
岩鶴 |
Crane on a rock |
| Tekki nidan |
鉄騎二段 |
Horse Riding 2nd step |
| Tekki sandan |
鉄騎三段 |
Horse Riding 3rd step |
| Nijushiho |
二十四步 |
Twenty-four Steps |
| Chinte |
珍手 |
Rare Hand |
| Sochin |
壯鎭 |
Tranquil Force |
| Meikyo |
明鏡 |
Bright Mirror |
| Unsu |
雲手 |
Hands in a Cloud |
| Bassai sho |
披塞小 |
To Penetrate a Fortress (Minor) |
| Kanku sho |
観空小 |
To Look at the Sky (Minor) |
| Wankan |
王冠 |
King's crown |
| Gojushiho sho |
五十四歩小 |
Fifty-four Steps (Minor) |
| Gojushiho dai |
五十四歩大 |
Fifty-four Steps (Major) |
| Ji'in |
慈陰 |
Kind Shade |
Kumite
Beginners 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) 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 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.
Dojo
The 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:
- Exert oneself in the perfection of character
- Be faithful and sincere
- Cultivate the spirit of perseverance
- Respect propriety
- Refrain from impetuous and violent behavior
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 System
Around the 1920's, Funakoshi adopted the Kyu/Dan system, along with the Judoka's
uniform, the Gi that had been developed by Kano Jigoro. This system used colored
belts as an indication of rank. Originally, Karate had only 3 obi (belt) colors.
White, Brown and Black, with several ranks of each. Here is the original belt system,
still used by Shotokan Karate of America:
- Ungraded - white
- 8th kyu - 4th kyu - white
- 3rd kyu - 1st kyu - brown
- 1st dan - black
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 colors, a common system
is listed below.
- 10th kyu - White
- 9th kyu - Orange
- 8th kyu - Red
- 7th kyu - Yellow
- 6th kyu - Green
- 5th kyu - Purple
- 4th kyu - Purple & White (centre stripe)
- 3rd kyu - Brown
- 2nd kyu - 2nd Brown (no new belt or centre white stripe)
- 1st kyu - Brown & White (centre stripe or 2 white stripes)
- 1st dan and above - Black
This color system is the most common and is used by the JKA and most large Shotokan
associations in the UK and Europe such as: JSKA (Abe), JKS (Asai), KWF (Yahara),
WSKF (Kasuya), SKIF (Kanazawa), IJKA (Asai/Kato), ISKDA (Sumi), WKA (Kase), KUGB
(Sherry), WTKO(Mullin/Amos), WJKA (Knobel), ISKF(Okazaki) to name but a few.
(This article is licensed under the
GNU Free Documentation License.
It uses material from the
Wikipedia article "Shotokan".)
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