Shotokan Karate is a style of martial art that originated from Okinawa, Japan. It was developed by Gichin Funakoshi and his son Yoshitaka Funakoshi in the early 20th century. Shotokan Karate is known for its deep and long stances, powerful techniques, and emphasis on kihon (basics), kata (forms), and kumite (sparring). Shotokan Karate is one of the most popular and influential styles of karate in the world.
The name Shotokan comes from Funakoshi’s pen name, Shoto, which means “pine waves”. He used this name to sign his poems and writings. Kan means “house” or “hall”. His students created a sign with the name Shotokan and placed it above the entrance of the dojo where he taught.
Funakoshi is widely credited with popularizing karate in Japan and beyond. He gave public demonstrations, wrote books, and established university karate clubs. He also modified some of the Okinawan karate techniques to make them more suitable for Japanese culture and society. He advocated karate as a way of self-defense, physical fitness, and character development. He also emphasized the philosophical and ethical aspects of karate, such as the dojo kun (training hall rules) and the niju kun (twenty principles).
Funakoshi died in 1957, but his legacy lives on through his students and followers. However, there were also disagreements and divisions among his students, leading to the formation of different organizations and schools of Shotokan Karate. Some of the major ones are the Japan Karate Association (JKA), the Shotokai, the International Shotokan Karate Federation (ISKF), and the World Karate Federation (WKF).
Shotokan Karate is still evolving and adapting to the changing times and needs of its practitioners. It is also spreading to different countries and cultures, creating a diverse and global community of Shotokan Karate enthusiasts.