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Master Gichin Funakoshi

Gichin FUNAKOSHI(1868-1957): Founder of Shotokan Karate

Gichin Funakoshi is widely considered as the "father" of modern karate-do. He was born in Okinawa in 1868. He learnt "http://www.ashley.arachsys.com/pedia-karate.html" ("Hand of Tang" as the ideograms read at that point) from two old masters, "http://www.ashley.arachsys.com/pedia-itosu.html" and Yasutsune (Anko) Azato, training secretly at night , because martial arts were at that time banned in Okinawa. Eventually as attitudes changed, Funakoshi gave a demonstration of his art to high Okinaawan officials. Funakoshi modified the art, taking inspiration from traditional Japanese "http://www.ashley.arachsys.com/pedia-budo.html" (kendo, judo, etc) and emphasising the philosophical aspects. It was this new karate-do that he took to the Japanese mainland and was the first expert to introduce the art to mainland Japan. In 1916 he gave a demonstration to the Butokuden in Kyoto, Japan, which at that time was the official centre of all martial arts. On March 6, 1921, the Crown Prince, who was later to become the Emperor of Japan, visited Okinawa and Master Funakoshi was asked to demonstrate karate. In the early spring of 1922 Master Funakoshi travelled to Tokyo to present his art at the First National Athletic exhibition in Tokyo organized by the Ministry of Education. He was strongly urged by several eminent groups and individuals to remain in Japan, and indeed he never did return to Okinawa.

For Master Funakoshi, the word karate eventually took on a deeper and broader meaning through the synthesis of these many methods, becoming karate-do, literally the "way of karate," or of the empty hand. Training in karate-do became an education for life itself. Master Funakoshi taught only one method, a total discipline, which represented a synthesis of Okinawaan karate styles. This method became known as Shotokan, literally the clan or the house of Shoto, which was the Master's pen name for his poetry, denoting the sound of the wind blowing through pines. It was through Master Funakoshi’s hard work that in 1948, the Japan Karate Association ("http://www.ctr.usf.edu/shotokan/jka.html") was established. The establishment of the J.K.A lead the way to the spread of karate throughout the world. Masatoshi Nakayama, one of Funakoshi's greatest students, succeeded him as the head of the J.K.A.

Shihan Masatoshi NAKAYAMA 10th Dan (1913-1987): J.K.A Chief Instructor

Sensei Masatoshi Nakayama was born in 1913 and began training in Karate under the great master Funakoshi Gichin in 1931. After graduating from Takushoko University in 1937 he went to Peking to study Chinese, whilst there he also studied various styles of Chinese fighting. He became the 2nd Chief Instructor of the J.K.A after Sensei Funakoshi passed away in November 1957. He was responsible for the global dissemination of Karate in the 1960's and 1970's, and for placing it on a firm scientific foundation after performing an in-depth study of the principles of Kinesiology, Anatomy, Psychology & Physics involved in Karate training. He has published a number of books including "Dynamic Karate", an in depth study of Kihon (basics) and produced videos providing detailed technical and practical information on Kata, Kihon and Kumite. Sensei Masatoshi Nakayama passed away on April 15th, 1987 at the age of 74. He held the grade of 10thDan.

The "J.K.A Instructor Program" started by the late Master Masatoshi Nakayama is what makes the J.K.A unique from other karate organizations. The most promising students were selected and enrolled in this full time program for at least one year. Upon completion of the program, these graduates became ambassadors of J.K.A Shotokan Karate, introducing Shotokan Karate to Europe, North and South America, South East Asia and Africa. Some very well known graduates of the program include: Hiroyoshi Okazaki (USA),Keinosuke Enoeda (Great Britain),Hideo Ochi Germany) and Hiroshi Shirai (Italy).Because of this program, Shotokan Karate spread very quickly throughout the world and is the most widely practiced style of karate today.




Picture of Master Gichin Funakoshi
Gichin Funakoshi
Picture of Master Gichin Funakoshi's Tekki
public performance of karate
about in 1950
Picture of Master Gichin Funakoshi
Today, karate is a martial art practiced not only in Japan but all over the world. Before Gichin Funakoshi, karate was only a regional art of Okinawa (tei and later toudei) and was transmitted from masters to their followers personally.

Gichin learned karate under the direction of Masters Azato Anko and Itosu Anko over a long period of time. He also endeavored to spread karate, and became the Chairman of Okinawa Shobu-kai (Martial Art Association).

When the Yashiro Fleet visited Okinawa from the main islands of Japan, selected sailors practiced karate under the direction of Gichin. Since the art was so powerful, the Navy decided to not adopt the art.

In March 1921, when Emperor Hirohito was still the Crown Prince, he visited Okinawa en-route to a visit to Europe. Gichin Funakoshi led a public performance of karate, which was performed by selected students at the Grand Hall of Shuri Castle, in front of the Crown Prince.
The Crown Prince gave his impressions as "karate is so miraculous".

In May 1922, Gichin attended the First Budo and Physical Education Exhibition sponsored by the Ministry of Education at the request of School Section of Okinawa Prefectural government, and demonstrated Okinawa's art of self defense "karate". This was the first performance in the main islands of Japan.
Gichin demonstrated forms of karate, and explained the forms using three figures.

After the exhibition, he gave lectures and demonstrations of karate at various places to meet with the demands of Kodo-kan, legal circles, junior high schools, Pupura Club, etc.
He did not return to Okinawa but stayed in Tokyo to spread karate-do under the name of "Karate Kenkyukai", giving lessons in various universities and to the police.

In 1924, he changed the name "karate (Chinese hands)" to "karete (empty hands) and "karate-jutsu (karate techniques)" to "karate-do (karate way)" based on the advice of Superntendent Priest E kun of Kamakura Enkakuji Temple. "empty" represents the spirit of Budo, which is self defense using no arms, and the ideology of the Wisdom Sutras.
At this point, the Okinawan art of "karate-jutsu" was uplifted to encompass spiritual discipline.

Gichin wrote the twenty lessons of karate to show the attitudes that people must have to learn karate and the philosophy of life for karate trainees.

In 1936, Gichin changed the name "Dai-nihon Karate-do Kenkyukai", which was established to promote communication and information exchange among people who study karate-do, to "Dai-nihon Karate-do Shoto-kai".
"Shoto" was the pen name of Gichin.

In 1939, Gichin constructed a karate dojo "Dai-nihon Karate-do Shoto-kan" in Zoshigaya, Mejiro, with the co-operation of Gigo Funakoshi and other followers.
Shoto-kan played the central role in the technical aspects as the main dojo of Dai-nihon Karate-do Shoto-kai, and established the systematic daily exercises, which are generally practiced today.
Gichin invented Taikyoku no kata, kumite ten-no kata, and kon no kata "matsukaze".

Until he passed away in 1957, Gichin endeavored to spread knowledge of karate-do as the Chairman of Nihon Karate-do Shoto-kai.
Gichin Funakoshi is thus called the Father of modern karate-do.


Gigo Funakoshi (1906 - 1945)


Picture of Master Gigou Funakoshi Picture of Master Gigou Funakoshi
Gigo Funakoshi
Gigo is the third son of Gichin Funakoshi, and moved from Okinawa to Tokyo to live with his father when he was 17. Gigo became a radiographer of the Section of Physical and Medical Consultation of the Ministry of Education.

When Takeshi Shimoda, who was karate shihan-dai teaching in various universities, passed away, Gigo assumed his position and kept in touch with the universities.

Technically, Gigo was a faithful successor of Gichin and improved and developed moves.

Gigo played the central role in inventing Taikyoku no kata, kumite ten-no kata, and kon no kata "matsukaze", and in formualting and establishing technical systems of Shoto-kai karate-do.

Gigo led the construction of Dai-nihon Karte-do Shoto-kan dojo.

Picture of Master Gigou Funakoshi Picture of Master Gigou Funakoshi Picture of Master Gigou Funakoshi Picture of Master Gigou Funakoshi

Picture of Master Gigou Funakoshi

 



Giei Funakoshi (1900 - 1961)


Picture of Master Giei Funakoshi
Giei Funakoshi
Giei Funakoshi is the first son of Gichin Funakoshi. After Gigo died still young and Gichin passed away, karate became simply a fighting sport, ignoring the words of Gichin. Giei deplored the situation and succeeded in teaching the karate-do of Gichin after becoming the second chairman of Nihon Karate-do Shoto-kai.

Giei emphasized the importance of reconstructing Shoto-kan dojo as a technical center and as a place of training. Giei passed away before the new dojo was built, but laid the foundation for its construction.