Shotokan Karate

Principle

Shotokan karate relies on the use of ones arms and legs as weapons and shields. Shotokan Karate was developed as a deadly defensive system against any opponent.

History

Shotokan Karate was founded by Gichin Funakshi. He would write poetry, and would sign it "Shoto," meaning waving pines and it is from this that the word "Shotokan" arose. The word "Kan" means house or school. "Shotokan Karate" literally means waving pines school of the empty hand. In 1936 the first Shotokan Karate was practiced outside Okinawa in Tokyo. This eventually led to the development of the Japanese Karate Association in 1955 with Funakoshi as Chief Instructor. He remained there as chief instructor until April 1957 when he died at the age of 88.