Shotokan (松濤館, Shōtōkan)

 

History & Principles of Shotokan Karate

A Short History of Shotokan Karate

Gichin Funakoshi is widely considered as the “father” of modern day karate. He was born in the Shuri prefecture in Okinawa in 1868 and at the age of 11 began to study Karate under two of Okinawa’s top masters. In time, he became a master in his own right and in 1922 he was invited to demonstrate karate to the Japanese public for the very first time. The demonstration was such a success he was invited to stay in Japan and teach, which he did with great success.

For Sensei Funakoshi, the word ‘karate’ eventually took on a deeper meaning than just martial arts training, transforming into what is has become known as karate-do, the ‘way of the empty hand.’ He was to modify the Okinawan art by taking inspiration from traditional Japanese budo (kendo, judo, etc) and integrated their philosophical aspects into his and his student’s training. This became a total discipline, which represented a synthesis of Okinawaan and Japanese schools and in 1936 he established the ‘SHOTOKAN’ style of Japanese karate which was to be greatly influenced by his son Yoshitaka (Giko) and Masatoshi Nakayama, first headmaster of the Japan Karate Association.

Whereas his father was responsible for transforming karate from a mere fighting technique into a philosophical martial ‘do’ (way of life), Yoshitaka was put in charge of developing, helped by other important martial artists, a karate technique that definitively separated Japanese karate-do from the local Okinawaan art, thus giving it a completely different and at the same time notoriously Japanese flavour.

It is upon these concepts that in 1948, the Japan Karate Association (JKA) was founded. The establishment of the JKA lead the way to the spread of Shotokan karate throughout the world. Master Masatoshi Nakayama, one of Funakoshi’s greatest students, succeeded him as the headmaster of the JKA and during his time there he further developed Shotokan, based on his own research, into the style we know today.

It was through master Nakayama’s vision, that Shotokan has spread throughout the world by enriching many people’s lives in many countries, while other senior instructors stayed in Japan at the Sohonbu to teach the next generation of Shotokan masters.

Funakoshi’s (Shotokan) Principals

• Never forget: Karate begins and ends with rei. Rei has the meaning of respect.
• There is no “first hand” in Karate. (Meaning there is no first attack, karate is about self-defense)
• Karate supports righteousness.
• First understand yourself, then understand others.
• The art of mind is more important than the art of technique.
• The mind needs to be freed.
• Trouble is born of negligence.
• Do not think that Karate is only in the dojo.
• The training of Karate requires a lifetime.
• Transform everything into Karate; therein lies the exquisiteness.
• Genuine Karate is like hot water; it cools down if you do not keep heating it.
• Do not have an idea of winning, while the idea of losing is not necessary.
• Transform yourself according to the opponent.
• The outcome of the fight all depends on the maneuver.
• Imagine one’s arms and legs as swords.
• Once you leave the shelter of home there are a million enemies.
• Postures are for the beginner, later they are natural positions.
• Do the kata correctly, the real fight is a different matter.
• Do not forget the dynamics of power, the elasticity of the body, and the speed of technique.
• Always be good at the application of everything you have learned.

List of Katas

A student demonstrates one of the katas required in the kobudo (weapons) classes

Taikyoku

This is the most elementary kata practiced at SFKO. Developed by Master Funakoshi’s son, Gigo, Taikyoku helps new students learn basic kata principles.

• 太極初段 Taikyoku Shodan – (first cause)

Heian

Created relatively recently, the Heians were originally called Pinan from the Okinawan pronunciation of the Chinese word for safety. When introduced to Japan, Master Funakoshi opted to use the Japanese pronunciation Heian. Considered basic kata for beginning students.

• 平安初段 Heian Shodan – (peaceful mind, first level)
• 平安二段 Heian Nidan – (peaceful mind, second level)
• 平安三段 Heian Sandan – (peaceful mind, third level)
• 平安四段 Heian Yondan – (peaceful mind, fourth level)
• 平安五段 Heian Godan – (peaceful mind, fifth level)

Tekki

Originally known in Okinawa as Naihanchi, the katas were renamed by Master Funakoshi upon its introduction to Japan to reflect the strength exhibited with kiba-dachi. Rich in fighting techniques, the Tekki family offers a plethora of close combat techniques.

• 鉄騎初段 Tekki Shodan – (iron horse riding, first level)
• 鉄騎弐段 Tekki Nidan – (iron horse riding, second level)
• 鉄騎参段 Tekki Sandan – (iron horse riding, third level)

Advanced Katas

• Bassai Dai (to penetrate a fortress – big)
  The strong techniques of this kata emphasize hip movement. Some resemble a battering ram being used against fortress walls.
• Bassai Sho (to penetrate a fortress – small)
  This kata was derived from Bassai-Dai. It has a similar performance line.
• Kanku Dai (to view the sky – big)
  Most of the elements of the Heian Kata were derived from this kata. The first movement in this kata views the sky, which symbolizes the universe and shows your opponent that you are unarmed. It was Master Funakoshi’s preferred kata.
• Kanku Sho (to view the sky – small)
  Kanku Sho was created from Kanku Dai. The movements and performance line are similar.
• Hangetsu (half moon)
  This kata received its name from its principal stance, hangetsu dachi (half moon stance).
• Goju Shi Ho Dai (fifty four steps – big)
  This kata is one of the most advance kata of Shotokan. Master Funakoshi called it hotaku (knocking of a woodpecker) because some of the techniques resemble a woodpecker tapping its beak against a tree.
• Goju Shi Ho Sho (fifty four steps – small)
  This is a smaller version of Goju Shi Ho Dai. It is also one of the most advanced kata of Shotokan.
• Enpi (flying swallow)
  The quick up and down movements of this kata are reminiscent of a fling swallow. Enpi is one of the oldest kata in Shotokan. Its former name was Wanshu.
• Jion (love and goodness)
  Jion is a term in Buddhism. It is also the name of a temple in China. It uses basic stances and techniques. It is one of the most traditional kata in Shotokan.
• Jiin (love and shadow)
  Jiin is another term in Buddhism. It has similar techniques and performance line as Jion.
• Jitte (ten hands)
  The goal of this kata is to teach a student to fight against ten opponents. This is a strong kata, similar to jion and Jiin.
• Meikyo (bright mirror)
  The first movements of this kata suggest the smoothing of water to make it as calm and even as a mirror. The triangle jump at the end of this kata is said to have a secret meaning portending to a miracle.
• Niju Shi Ho (twenty-four steps)
  The movements in this kata resemble waves breaking on a cliff. The former name of this kata was ni sei shi.
• Wankan (king and crown)
  Wankan is the shortest kata in Shotokan.
• Gankaku (crane on a rock)
  The main stance in this kata (tsuruashi dachi) resembles a crane ready to strike at its prey. The movements are supposed to simulate a fight in the narrow alleyways of Okinawa. The former name of this kata was Chinto.
• Sochin (strength and calm)
  The name of this kata comes from its stance (sochin dachi), a strong, rooted stance. The purpose of this kata is to teach defense against a stick. Its former name was Hakko.
• Chinte (rare hand)
  Chinte has a lot of circular and roundhouse techniques. These are rare and are not typical of the shortest distance between two points concept of Shotokan.
• Unsu (cloud hands)
  Unsu has several techniques that symbolize parting the clouds with open hands. It is also one of the most advanced kata of Shotokan.

Karate Dictionary

Block (Uke – pronounced “oo-kay”)

• Age-uke (ah-geh-oo-kay): Upper block (Raising)
• Shuto-uke (shoe-toe oo-kay): Knife-hand block
• Uchi-uke (oo-chee oo-kay): Inside center block
• Gedan-barai (Geh-dahn bah-rye): Down block
• Soto-uke (so-toh oo-kay): Outside center block
• Chudan-uke (Chew-dahn oo-kay): Middle level block
• Jodan-uke (joe-dahn oo-kay): Upper level block
• Gedan-uke (geh-dahn oo-kay): Lower level block
• Hiza-uke (he-zah oo-kay): Knee block
• Juji-uke (jew-gee oo-kay): X-block
• Morote-uke (moe-row-the oo-kay): Augmented block
• Nagashi-uke (nah-gah-she oo-kay) Sweeping block
• Sashite-uke (sah-she-tay oo-kay): Rising hand block
• Teishi-uke (tay-sho oo-kay): Palm-heel block

Punch (Zuki – pronounced “zoo-key”)

• Age-zuki (ah-geh zoo-key): Rising punch
• Awase-zuki (ah-wah-say zoo-key): U-punch
• Choku-zuki (cho-koo zoo-key): Straight punch
• Chudan-zuki (chew-dahn zoo-key): Middle area punch
• Gyaku-zuki (gya-koo zoo-key): Reverse punch
• Jodan-zuki (joe-dahn zoo-key): face level punch
• Morote-zuki (moe-row-the- zoo-key): Double “U” punch
• Oi-zuki (oh-ee zoo-key): Lunge punch
• Tate-zuki (tah-the zoo-key): Vertical punch
• Teisho-zuki (tay-show zoo-key): Palm-heel punch
• Ura-zuki (oo-rah zoo-key): Close punch

Kick (Geri – pronounced “geh-rhee”)

• Ashi-Barai (ah-she bah-rye): Foot sweep
• Fumikomi (foo-me-koh-me): Stamping kick
• Keage (key-ah-geh): Snap kick
• Kekomi (kay-koh-me): Thrust kick
• Mae-geri (mah-eh geh-rhee): Front kick
• Mae-geri-kaege (mah-eh geh-rhee kay-ah-geh): Front snap kick
• Mae-geri-kakomi (mah-eh geh-rhee kay-koh-me): Front thrust kick
• Mae-tobi-geri (mah-eh toe-be geh-rhee): Jumping front kick
• Mawashi-geri (mah-wha-she geh-rhee): Round kick
• Ushiro-geri (oo-she row geh-rhee): Back kick
• Yoko-geri-kaegi (yoh-koh geh-rhee key-ah-geh): Side snap kick
• Yoko-geri-kekomi (yoh-koh geh-rhee key-ah-geh): Side thrust kick

Strike (Uchi – pronounced “oo-chee”)

• Empi-uchi (en-pee oo-chee): Elbow strike
• Haishu-uchi (hi-shoo oo-chee): Back hand strike
• Haito-uchi (hi-toe oo-chee): Ridge-hand strike
• Ippon-ken (eep-pone ken): One-knuckle fist
• Nukite (noo-key-teh): Spear hand
• Kentsui-uchi (ken-tsue-ee oo-chee): Hammer fist strike
• Shuto-uchi (shoe-toe oo-chee): Knife hand strike
• Teisho-uchi (tay-sho oo-chee): Palm hand strike
• Uraken-uchi (oo-rah-ken oo-chee): Back fist strike

Stance (Dachi – pronounced “dah-chee”)

• Fudo-dachi (foo-dough dah-chee) Rooted stance
• Hachiji-dachi (hah-chee-gee dah-chee): Open leg stance
• Hangetsu-dachi (hahn-geh-tsue dah-chee): Half-moon stance
• Heiko-dachi (hay-koh dah-chee): Parallel stance
• Kamae (kah-may): Sparring posture
• Kiba-dachi (key-bah dah-chee): Side stance (horse stance)
• Kokutsu-dachi (koe-koo-tsu dah-chee): Back stance
• Kosa-dachi (koe-sah dah-chee): Crossed legged stance
• Neko-ashi-dachi (neh-koh ah-she-dah-chee): Cat stance
• Sanchin-dachi (san-chin dah-chee): Hour-glass stance
• Shizentai (she-zen dah-chee): Natural position
• Sochin-dachi (so-chin dah-chee): Diagonal straddle-leg stance
• Teiji-dachi (the-gee dah-chee): T stance
• Zenkutsu-dachi (zen-koo-tsue dah-chee): Front stance

Numbers

• Ichi (ih-chee): One
• Ni (nee): Two
• San (sahn): Three
• Shi (she): Four
• Go (go): Five
• Roku (roo-koo): Six
• Shichi (Shih-chee): Seven
• Hachi (Hah-chee): Eight
• Ku (koo): Nine
• Ju (joo): Ten

General Terms

• Budo (boo-doh): Martial way
• Bunkai (bun-kye): Applications
• Chudan (chew-dahn): Chest area
• Dan (dahn): Black belt rank
• Do (doh): Way/path
• Dojo (doh-joh): Training area
• Domo Arigato Gozai-mashita (doh-moh ah-ree-gah-toe go-zye-mah-she-tah) Thank you very much (past)
• Gasshuku (gas-shoe-koo) Summer camp
• Gedan (geh-dahn): Lower body area
• Gi (ghee): Uniform
• Gohan-kumite (goh-hon koo-mih-tay): Five step sparring
• Hai (hi): Yes
• Hajime (hah-zhim-ay): Begin
• Hidari (he-dah-rhee): Left
• Hombu-Dojo (hohm-boo doh-joh): Dojo headquarter
• Ippon kumite (eep-pohn koo-me-teh): One step sparring
• Jiyu ippon (jye-oo ih-pon): Free one step sparring
• Jiyu-kumite (gee-you koo-me-teh): Free sparring
• Jodan (joh-dahn): Face area
• Kamae (kah-mah-eh): Sparring posture
• Karate (kah-rah-teh): Empty hand
• KarateKa (kah-rah-teh-kah): Karate student
• Kata (kah-tah): Form
• Ki (key): Mind, Spirit, Energy
• Kiai (key-aye): Focusing shout
• Kihon (key-hohn): Basic technique
• Kihon kumite (key-hohn koo-me-teh): Basic sparring
• Kime (key-may): Focus of power
• Kumite (koo-me-teh): Sparring
• Kyu (kyoo): White/Brown belt Rank
• Mae (mah-eh): Front
• Makiwara (mah-key-wha-rha): Punching board
• Mawate-te (mah-wha-tay): Turn around
• Migi (me-ghee): Right
• Ohayo Gozaimasu (oh-ha-yoh go-zye-mah-soo): Good morning
• Onegai-shimasu (oh-nih-guy-she-mah-soo): Please teach me
• Osu (oh-soo): Greeting
• Oyasumi nasai (oh-yah-soo-me nah-sigh): Good night
• Rei (rey): Bow
• Sanbon kumite (san-bohn koo-me-teh): Three step sparring
• Seiza (say-zah): Sitting position
• Sempai (sehm-pye): Senior student
• Sensei (sehn-seh-ee): Instructor
• Shizen-tai (she-zen tah-ee): Natural position
• Tai sabaki (tye sah-bah-key): Body movement
• Waza (wah-zah): Technique
• Yame (yah-may): Stop
• Yoi (yoy): Ready
• Zanshin (zahn-shin): Following through technique

Benefits of SFK Organization

For Instructors and Coaches

The SFKO organization offers numerous seminars and training sessions to assist Karate Senseis (Instructors) and Coaches develop top level athletes and to prepare those athletes for competition at regional, national, and international levels. Seminar topics include:

• The differences between traditional and sport karate, and the advantages of each
• How to generate inner power and strength in karate techniques
• Developing speed and agility in kata & kumite at any age
• The development of appropriate training programs for competitors all ages and abilities
• Becoming a successful coach for youth and adult students
• Ring management and refereeing techniques for competitions

For Organizational Leaders/Owners/Operators of Karate Organizations

In addition to the support you’ll receive for teaching, training, and helping your students successfully compete, the SFKO organization offers several seminars on the successful management of karate dojos, karate clubs and larger karate organizations. These seminars include:

• New and updated methods for teaching students of all belt levels
• The development of successful manuals to be used for both Kyu (color belts) and Dan exams (black belts)
• How to train your instructors and staff to be more effective in helping to operate your business
• Training yourself physically and spiritually to be an effective instructor and role model for your students
• How to develop new, successful karate programs in your community
• Managing multiple karate facilities
• Teaching your students remotely
• Managing a successful karate dojo/s club/s or organization
• The basics of owning your own dojo
• Instructor certification
• Official Dan grades, registered in SFKO’s headquarters

Interested in learning more about the benefits of joining the SFKO Organization? Contact our office at +91.9073633554 to speak with Hanshi SANJIT KUMAR SAHA to receive the SHOTOKAN FITNESS KARATE ORGANISATION. SFKO. Informations...more

Become an S.F.K.O. Affilitated Dojo

Contact our office at +91.9073633554 E_MAIL: shotokanfitnesskarate@gmail.com to speak with our SFKO staff to receive the SFKO Organization Membership Package. This package will include a Club Membership Application, Individual Membership Applications for your students as well as some additional information about the history of our organization and the benefits of becoming an SFKO-affiliated Dojo, including:

• • Technical seminars for all levels and all ages
  • Dojo management training and assistance
  • Access to annual International Championships as part of the SFKO Organization
  • Access to special SFKO training courses and videos
  • Dan promotion with testing curriculum for all grades
  • Invitations to our annual summer and winter karate camps
  • Ongoing referee and instructor courses
• SFK