Shotokan Practitioners

is a style of karate, developed from various martial arts by Gichin Funakoshi (1868–1957) and his son Gigo (Yoshitaka) Funakoshi (1906–1945). Gichin Funakoshi was born in Okinawa and is widely credited with popularizing "karate do" through a series of public demonstrations, and by promoting the development of university karate clubs, including those at Keio, Waseda, Hitotsubashi (Shodai), Takushoku, Chuo, Gakushuin, and Hosei.

Funakoshi had many students at the university clubs and outside dojos, who continued to teach karate after his death in 1957. However, internal disagreements (in particular the notion that competition is contrary to the essence of karate) led to the creation of different organisations—including an initial split between the Japan Karate Association (headed by Masatoshi Nakayama) and the Shotokai (headed by Motonobu Hironishi and Shigeru Egami), followed by many others—so that today there is no single "Shotokan school", although they all bear Funakoshi's influence.

As the most widely practiced style, Shotokan is considered a traditional and influential form of karate do.

Etymology

''Shotokan'' was the name of the first official dojo built by Gichin Funakoshi, in 1936 at Mejiro, and destroyed in 1945 as a result of an allied bombing. , meaning "pine-waves" (the movement of pine needles when the wind blows through them), was Funakoshi's pen-name, Funakoshi, Gichin (1981). "Karate-do: My Way of Life". Kodansha International Ltd, Tokyo. . pg. 85 which he used in his poetic and philosophical writings and messages to his students. The Japanese means "house" or "hall". In honour of their sensei, Funakoshi's students created a sign reading ''shōtō-kan'', which they placed above the entrance of the hall where Funakoshi taught. Gichin Funakoshi never gave his system a name, just calling it ''karate''.

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 characterised by deep, long stances that provide stability, enable powerful movements, and strengthen the legs. Shotokan is regarded as a dynamic martial art as it develops anaerobic, powerful techniques as well as developing speed. 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 that incorporates grappling, throwing and some standing joint locking techniques, which can be found even in basic kata. ''Kumite'' (fighting) techniques are practiced in the kihon and kata and developed from basic to advanced levels with an opponent.

Philosophy

Gichin Funakoshi laid out the Twenty Precepts of Karate (or Niju kun), which form the foundations of the art, before some of his students established the Japan Karate Association (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 inward and outward calmness. It was Funakoshi's belief that through karate practice and observation of these 20 principles, the karateka would improve their person.

The ''dōjō kun'' lists five philosophical rules for training in the dojo: seek perfection of character, be faithful, endeavor to excel, respect others, and refrain from violent behaviour. These rules are called the Five Maxims of Karate. The dōjō kun is usually posted on a wall in the dojo, and some shotokan clubs recite the dōjō kun at the beginning and/or end of each class to provide motivation and a context for further training.

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

Common terms

Many terms used in karate stem from Japanese culture. While many are names (e.g. Heian, Gankaku), others are exclusive to martial arts (e.g. kata, kumite). Many terms are seldom used in daily life, such as zenkutsu dachi, while others appear routinely, such as rei. The Japanese form is often retained in schools outside Japan to preserve the Okinawan culture and Funakoshi's philosophies.

However, many schools of JKA (Japan Karate Association) affiliated Shotokan Karate used the full terminology on a daily basis, providing translations also. For example, the KUI (Karate Union of Ireland), utilises the full and proper Japanese name for each move and kata in training, grading and competition.

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 colours. The order of colours varies widely from school to school, but kyu belts are denoted with colours that in some schools become darker as a student approaches shodan. Dan level belts are invariably black, with some schools using stripes to denote various ranks of black belt. Gichin Funakoshi himself never awarded a rank higher than Godan (5th dan black belt).

Kihon

Kihon basics is the practice of basic techniques in Shotokan Karate. It includes stances, blocks, punches, kicks, various displacements and their combinations, as well as the practice of Kihon Kata like: Taikyoku Shodan, which was developed by Yoshitaka Funakoshi, the son of Gichin Funakoshi, as a basic introduction to karate kata. (Yoshitaka also developed Taikyoku Nidan and Sandan.) This first kata consists of successive restatements following the theme of gedan barai—oi tsuki, and performing three oi tsuki by following the known "H" pattern or Embusen.

Kata

''Kata'' is often described as a set sequence of karate moves organised into a pre-arranged fight against imaginary opponents. The kata consists of kicks, punches, sweeps, strikes and blocks. Body movement in various ''kata'' includes stepping, twisting, turning, dropping to the ground, and jumping. In Shotokan, ''kata'' is a performance or a demonstration, 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" (form) from other styles into their training. The original Shotokan kata syllabus is introduced in Funakoshi's book ''Karate-do Kyohan'', which is the master text of Shotokan karate. Japan Shotokai's kata syllabus is the same as established in "Karate-do Kyohan" with the addition of Gigo Funakoshi's staff kata Matsukaze No Kon. When the Japan Karate Association, JKA was formed, Nakayama laid down 27 ''kata'' (26 mainly practised throughout most organisations) as the ''kata'' syllabus for this organisation. The standard JKA kata are: '' Taikyoku shodan'' (sometimes termed Kata Kihon or Kihon Kata, the name has been discontinued in some Shotokan dojos) (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), '' Enpi'' (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), '' Nijūshiho'' (二十四步), '' Chinte'' (珍手), ''Sōchin'' (壯鎭), '' Meikyō/Rōhai'' (明鏡), '' Unsu'' (雲手), '' Bassai shō'' (披塞小), '' Kankū shō'' (観空小), ''Wankan'' (王冠), '' Gojūshiho shō'' (五十四歩小), '' Gojūshiho dai'' (五十四歩大), and '' Ji'in'' (慈陰). Funakoshi, Gichin (1973). "Karate-do Kyohan", Kodansha International Ltd, Tokyo. .Sugiyama, Shojiro (1984). "25 Shoto-Kan Kata". Shojiro Sugiyama, Chicago. .

Kumite

''Kumite'', or sparring (lit. Meeting of hands), is the practical application of kihon and kata to real opponents. The formalities of kumite in Shotokan karate were first instituted by Masatoshi Nakayama wherein basic, intermediate, and advanced sparring techniques and rules were formalised.Masatoshi Nakayama (1978). ''Best Karate, Vol. 3: Kumite 1'', Kodansha International. .

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''.Masahiko Tanaka, (2001). ''Karate-dō: Perfecting Kumite'', Sake Publishers. ASIN B000Q81406.

''Kumite'' is the third part of the Shotokan triumvirate of ''kihon, kata and kumite''. ''Kumite'' is taught in ever increasing complexity from beginner through low grade blackbelt (1st – 2nd) to intermediate (3rd – 4th) and advanced (5th onwards) level practitioners.

Beginners first learn ''kumite'' through basic drills, of one, three or five attacks to the head (''jodan'') or body (''chudan'') with the defender stepping backwards whilst blocking and only countering on the last defence. These drills use basic (''kihon'') techniques and develop a sense of timing and distance in defence against a known attack.

At around purple belt level ''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 usually the defenders own choice. 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 manoeuvres.

Some schools prescribe the defences, most notably the Kase-ha Shotokan-ryū, which uses an eight step, three directional blocking and attacking pattern, which develops from yellow belt level through to advanced level.

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 NakayamaMasatoshi Nakayama (1978). ''Best Karate, Vol 4: Kumite 2'', Kodansha International. .Masatoshi Nakayama. (1966). ''Dynamic Karate'', Kodansha International. ASIN B000TBPU3C. 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). Tsutomu Ohshima

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