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Shotokan KarateShotokan Karate and the JKA
Gichin Funakoshi and The History of Shotokan Karate
Gichin Funakoshi
Karate-do roughly translates as "the way of the empty hand," accurately describing a martial art that uses no weapons other than the body. Shotokan is a type of karate created by Gichin Funakoshi. Funakoshi was born of samurai lineage in the Okinawa Prefecture on November 10th, 1868. During his youth he experienced many health problems and was a rather frail child, which encouraged him to begin his study of martial arts under Master Azato. After realizing the ways in which karate training improved his health and life, he continued his training, despite the fact that karate was illegal at the time. The majority of Funakoshi's training was under Masters Azato and Itosu, who practiced two different types of karate.
Later in life, Funakoshi organized the theory and techniques he had been practicing into a complete system, a combination of the strengths of the styles he had trained in. In 1922, he introduced Okinawan karate to Japan in the first public display of such an art. Due to the overwhelming success of his demonstration, Funakoshi stayed in Tokyo, and 2 years later he introduced the first dan ranking certification. The name Shotokan came about when Funakoshi personally funded a dojo to be built for the practice of karate. While he was reluctant to accept the name, his students called the dojo "Shotokan" which means "the hall of Shoto." Shoto was a penname Funakoshi used to write calligraphy, and literally means "pine waves" which refers to the sound of wind rushing through pine trees, a sound similar to ocean waves.
During World War II, the original Shotokan dojo was destroyed, causing karate's growth to halt. After the war, followers of Funakoshi regrouped and created the Japan Karate Association, with Funakoshi holding the title of "Supreme Master." The JKA was recognized as a legal entity on April 10th, 1957. A mere 16 days later, Gichin Funakoshi passed away at the age of 89.
Karate-do as a Way of Life The art of practicing karate is much more than a simple exercise, and is nearly insulted by calling it a sport. Karate-do, the way of karate, is a lifelong endeavor to better oneself, physically, mentally, and emotionally. A true karate-ka is one who seeks to learn karate as an art. Shotokan is a system of extremely strong, potentially devastating techniques. However, the way of Shotokan is one that seeks to avoid physical confrontation. The dojo-kun and the niju-kun are two sets of guidelines for the karate-ka, both of which deal not only with karate as a physical discipline, but a mental one as well. In Gichin Funakoshi's book, "Karate-Do Kyohan," he advises that when attacked, especially when there are multiple opponents, that it is safest and smartest to run away. Karate is very rarely anything like what popular media or movies portray. Karate-do is not a way of arrogance, ego, or physical superiority, it is a way of humbleness and humility.
The Dojo-kun The Dojo-kun are five precepts which are repeated at the end of each training session. Every karate-ka memorizes the dojo-kun. The purpose is to remind each student of the right mindset and attitude to keep in both karate and in life. Translations vary slightly, the version appearing below is from the Japan Karate Association.
The Niju-kun - The Twenty Guiding Principles of Karate Below are the Niju-kun as presented in Gichin Funakoshi's book, "The Twenty Guiding Principles of Karate" It is interesting to note how philosophy for life and instruction for karate are intermixed; karate becomes one's way of life. These principles apply equally to both life and training, when understood and applied correctly.
1 - Do not forget that karate-do begins and ends with rei 2 - There is no first strike in karate 3 - Karate stands on the side of justice 4 - First know yourself, then know others 5 - Mentality over technique 6 - The mind must be set free 7 - Calamity springs from carelessness 8 - Karate goes beyond the dojo 9 - Karate is a lifelong pursuit 10 - Apply the way of karate to all things. Therein lies its beauty 11 - Karate is like boiling water: without heat, it returns to its tepid state 12 - Do not think of winning. Think, rather, of not losing 13 - Make adjustments according to your opponent 14 - The outcome of a battle depends on how one handles emptiness and fullness (weakness and strength) 15 - The of the opponent's hands and feet as swords 16 - When you step beyond your own gate, you face a million enemies 17 - Kamae (ready stance) is for beginners; later, one stands in shizentai (natural stance) 18 - Perform kata exactly; actual combat is another matter 19 - Do not forget the employment or withdrawal of power, the extension or contraction of the body, the swift or leisurely application of technique 20 - Be constantly mindful, diligent, and resourceful in your pursuit of the Way
Kihon - Basics In Shotokan, there are three primary foundations, often referred to as the three pillars of karate. These three are kihon (basic techniques), kata (forms), and kumite (sparring). Each of these is essential to a well-rounded understanding and ability in the art of karate. Kihon is one of the primary training techniques, since building sequences of kihon can create drills for both kata and kumite. A vast portion of training time is spent on the mastery of these basic techniques, because without a proper understanding and application of movement, power and relaxation, contraction and expansion, the technique in question is literally useless. Kihon incorporates both stances and either attacks or blocks, depending on the use. Proper arm movement for a punch is literally useless without a properly rooted stance to draw energy and power from. Conversely, a fantastic stance is not much help if one does not properly block an attack.
A portion of the class from the 2008 JKA National Training Camp in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Kata - Forms During the time of Funakoshi's training, kata was the primary form of teaching karate. In a setting of master and student, the student is shown a sequence of moves, and through repetition learns the basic stances, blocks, and attacks that are taught independently today as kihon. In the older, master/student setting, the student repeats one kata until the master is satisfied that he has not only mastered the basic movements and directions, but the subtle lessons of each kata, such as proper hip movement, consistency of stances and body height, relaxation, distance, timing and breathing. This process is likely to take over a year per kata.
Of the 26 kata in the Shotokan system, many were creations of Funakoshi, and their interconnected nature is clear. Certain katas, even sets of katas, are preparing the student for the more advanced katas to come later. Other katas are based on katas previously in existence, such as older Chinese kata. Kata is a very stable entity. Katas are not changed or modified, although small particular corrections or clarifications are common. Consistency among practitioners is aided by the publication of books which describe each move and provide a series of photographs to aid in understanding.
Below is Sensei Takashina, 8th dan, head instructor of the South Atlantic Karate Association (SAKA), instructor in the Japan Karate Association (JKA), performing the kata Kanku Dai. The particular kata is one that Gichin Funakoshi felt best captured the essence of Shotokan movement and technique. This video is approximately 10 years old.
Kumite - Sparring Kumite, or sparring, is the more application oriented aspect of martial arts training. Unlike many current fads, sparring is not fighting. Kumite is a controlled environment where two karate-ka practice their techniques against each other. During training, practice for kumite often begins with a series of kihon, with everyone working individually to first understand the principle behind the drill, the footwork, and the proper block and counter attack. Then, pairs are formed and partners alternate the attacking and defending roles. Often, the pairs work the same drill or basic idea over and over, until it becomes an automatic reaction instead of something that must be thought about. Kumite can accurately be called applied kata, since the sequences of moves that make up kata are defenses and counters against particular attacks and situations. Thus, all three of the pillars of karate are strongly related. Kihon are the basic movements that make up kata and kumite. Kata is like a battle against an imaginary opponent and to train combinations, and kumite is the practical application of both kihon and kata.
A match in the women's kumite finals from the 2007 JKA National Tournament in Phoenix, Arizona.
Competition While the way of karate is not a sport, there is certainly a valid demand for testing one's skills against another's. While in class kata is trained as a group and kumite is an exercise to improve both partners, there are competitions held within the JKA. The international competition, the Funakoshi Gichin Cup World Karate Championship is held every 3 years, however there are yearly national and regional tournaments within the JKA as well. While there is always the immediate thought of wanting to win a competition or a particular match, the long-term goal of competition is to continue improving one's technique and spirit.
Below is a video of the women's individual kata finals and the SAKA women's kata team from the 2008 JKA National Tournament in Tampa, Florida.
Below are two particularly exciting pictures of the men's individual kumite from the 2007 JKA National Tournament in Phoenix, Arizona.
Structure and Principles of the Japan Karate Association The Japan Karate Association is a network of organizations and affiliations that spread across the world, and keep all branches of JKA Shotokan under a central rule. The JKA has enacted rules that restrict the actions of it's members, thus allowing the JKA to make sure that proper protocol is followed, particularly involving promotion through the dan ranks. While some of the rules may seem particularly strict, it is very important that, as the ranks go up, the individuals holding those ranks are capable and loyal to the JKA.
There are many affiliations associated with the JKA, including the JKA World Federation American (JKA WFA), the North American branch of the JKA, and South Atlantic Karate Association (SAKA), which is the region of the JKA WFA that Sensei Takashina is the head of.
The Rank System Once a karate-ka has reached first black belt (shodan), the wait periods become longer between each test, and the restrictions for testing eligibility and locations become more stringent. As each rank increases, the minimum wait period between ranks increases; the general rule is that whatever degree of black belt one is testing for, there need to be a minimum of that many years spent preparing for it. However, it is very likely that testing right at the minimum wait time will result in failing, since it usually takes more time and effort. Testing for first, second, and third dan can be done at any of the regional camps held each year. SAKA, a region spanning from North Carolina to Florida has four such camps a year. Fourth and fifth degree back belt can only be achieved by testing in front of a committee of regional instructors at a National training camp, which occurs once a year. After that, 6th and 7th degree require that the karate-ka test at the JKA headquarters in Toyko, Japan. To achieve 8th degree or above requires a special vote from the most senior black belts. The regional instructors in the United States are all currently 8th dan.
Below are the regional instructors within the JKA WF, as of the 2007 National Tournament. Left to right: Sensei Takashina, Sensei Mikami, Sensei Koyama, Sensei Ueki
Frequently Used Japanese Terms: *Note: Some of these terms are left in Japanese for convience's sake, however, some are terms that lack a simple, straightforward translation.
dan - "degree" or "rank" indicating a black belt dojo - The place of training karate-ka - Student or practitioner of karate rei - "respect" or "courtesy" Also, literally the command to bow.
References "Karate-do My Way of Life" - Gichin Funakoshi "The Twenty Guiding Principles of Karate" - Gichin Funakoshi South Atlantic Karate Association
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