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Shotokan
(松濤館流,
Shōtōkan-ryū?)
is a style of
karate, developed from various
martial arts by
Gichin Funakoshi (1868–1957) and his son
Gigo (Yoshitaka) Funakoshi (1906–1945). Gichin was
one of several
Okinawan masters (including
Kenwa Mabuni and
Chōki Motobu) who brought karate to mainland
Japan during the 1910s and 1920s,[1]
but Funakoshi is widely credited with having popularized
karate through a series of public demonstrations, and by
promoting the development of university karate clubs,
including those at
Keio,
Waseda,
Hitotsubashi (Shodai),
Takushoku,
Chuo,
Gakushuin, and
Hosei.[2]
Funakoshi had many students at the university clubs and
outside dojos, who continued to teach karate after his
death in 1957. However, internal disagreements led to
the creation of different organizations—including an
initial split between the
Japan Karate Association (headed by
Masatoshi Nakayama) and the
Shotokai (headed by
Shigeru Egami), followed by many others—so that
today there is no single "Shotokan school", although
they all bear Funakoshi's influence.
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Etymology
Shotokan was the name of the first official dojo built
by Funakoshi, in 1936 at
Mejiro, and destroyed in 1945 as a result of
allied bombing.[3]
Shoto (松濤,
Shōtō?),
meaning "pine-waves" (the movement of pine needles when the wind
blows through them), was Funakoshi's pen-name,[4]
which he used in his poetic and philosophical writings and
messages to his students. The Japanese kan
(館,
kan?)
means "house" or "hall". In honour of their sensei, Funakoshi's
students created a sign reading shōtō-kan which was
placed above the entrance of the hall where Funakoshi taught.[4]
Gichin Funakoshi never gave his style a name, just calling it
"karate".
Characteristics
Shotokan training is usually divided into three parts:
kihon
(basics),
kata (forms or patterns of moves), and
kumite (sparring). Techniques in kihon and
kata are characterized by deep, long stances that provide
stability, enable powerful movements, and strengthen the legs.
Shotokan is often regarded as a 'hard'
and 'external' martial art because it is taught that way to
beginners and coloured belts to develop strong basic techniques
and stances. Initially strength and power are demonstrated
instead of slower, more flowing motions. Those who progress to
brown and black belt level develop a much more fluid style which
incorporates grappling and some aikido-like techniques, which
can be found in the black belt katas. Kumite techniques
mirror these stances and movements at a basic level, but
progress to being more flexible with greater experience. .[citation
needed]
Philosophy
Gichin Funakoshi laid out the Twenty Precepts of Karate,[5]
(or
Niju kun[6])
which form the foundations of the art, before his students
established the
JKA. Within these twenty principles, based heavily on
Bushido and
Zen,
lies the philosophy of Shotokan. The principles allude to
notions of humility, respect, compassion, patience, and both an
inward and outward calmness. It was Funakoshi's belief that
through karate practice and observation of these 20 principles,
the karateka would improve their person.[4]
The
Dojo kun lists 5 philosphical rules for training in the
dojo, such as "seek perfection of character" and "respect
others". The Dojo kun is usually posted on a wall in the dojo,
and some shotokan clubs recite the Dojo kun at the end of each
class to provide motivation and a context for further training.
Funakoshi also wrote: "The ultimate aim of Karate lies not in
victory or defeat, but in the perfection of the character of the
participant."[4]
Common Terms
-
Many terms used in karate stem from Japanese culture. While
many are names (e.g.
Yame,
Gankaku), others are exclusive to martial arts (e.g.
kata,
kumite). Many terms are seldom used in daily life, such as
zenkutsu dachi, while others appear routinely, such as
rei.
The Japanese form is often retained in schools outside of Japan
to preserve the Okinawan culture and Funakoshi's philosophies.
However, many schools of JKA (Japan Karate Association)
affiliated Shotokan Karate used the full terminology on a daily
basis, providing translations also. For example the KUI (Karate
Union of Ireland), utilises the full and proper japanese name
for each move and kata in training, grading and competition.
Ranks
Rank is used in karate to indicate experience, expertise, and
to a lesser degree, seniority. As with many martial arts,
Shotokan uses a system of coloured belts to indicate rank. Most
Shotokan schools use the
kyū/dan
system but have added other belt colors. The order of colors
varies widely from school to school, but kyu belts are denoted
with colours that become darker as a student approaches
shodan. Dan level belts are invariably black, with some
schools using strips to denote various ranks of black belt.
Kata
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Gichin Funakoshi executing Kanku dai kata
(観空)
Kata is often described as a set sequence of karate
moves organized into a pre-arranged fight against imaginary
opponents. The kata consists of kicks, punches, sweeps, strikes,
blocks, and throws. Body movement in various kata
includes stepping, twisting, turning, dropping to the ground,
and jumping. In Shotokan, kata is not a performance or a
demonstration, but is for individual karateka to practice
full techniques—with every technique potentially a killing blow
(ikken hisatsu)—while paying particular attention to form
and timing (rhythm). As the karateka grows older, more
emphasis is placed on the health benefits of practicing kata,
promoting fitness while keeping the body soft, supple, and
agile.
Several Shotokan groups have introduced kata from
other styles into their training, but when the
JKA was formed,
Nakayama laid down 27 kata as the kata
syllabus for this organization. Even today, thousands of
Shotokan dojo only practice these 27 kata. The standard
kata are:
Taikyoku shodan (sometimes termed Kata Kihon or Kihon
Kata) (太極初段),
Heian shodan (平安初段),
Heian nidan (平安二段),
Heian sandan (平安三段),
Heian yondan (平安四段),
Heian godan (平安五段),
Bassai dai (披塞大),
Jion (慈恩),
Empi (燕飛),
Kanku dai (観空大),
Hangetsu (半月),
Jitte (十手),
Gankaku (岩鶴),
Tekki shodan (鉄騎初段),
Tekki nidan (鉄騎二段),
Tekki sandan (鉄騎三段),
Nijushiho (二十四步),
Chinte (珍手),
Sochin (壯鎭),
Meikyo (明鏡),
Unsu (雲手),
Bassai sho (披塞小),
Kanku sho (観空小),
Wankan (王冠),
Gojushiho sho (五十四歩小),
Gojushiho dai (五十四歩大), and
Ji'in (慈陰).[7][2][8]
Kumite
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Kumite, or sparring, is the practical application of
kata to real opponents. While the techniques used in sparring
are only slightly different than kihon, the formalities of
kumite in Shotokan karate were first instituted by
Masatoshi Nakayama wherein basic, intermediate, and advanced
sparring techniques and rules were formalized.[9]
Shotokan practitioners first learn how to apply the
techniques taught in kata to "hypothetical" opponents by way of
kata
bunkai. Kata bunkai then matures into controlled kumite.[10]
Kumite is the third part of the Shotokan triumvirate of
Kihon-Kata-Kumite. Kumite is taught in ever increasing
complexity from beginner through low grade blackbelt (1st - 2nd)
to intermediate (3rd - 4th) and advanced (5th onwards) level
practitioners.
Beginners first learn kumite through basic drills, of 1, 3 or
5 attacks to the head (jodan) or body (chudan) with the defender
stepping backwards whilst blocking and only countering on the
last defence. These drills use basic (kihon) techniques and
develop a sense of timing and distance in defence against a
known attack.
At around purple belt level karateka learn one-step
sparring (ippon kumite). Though there is only one
step involved, rather than three or five, this exercise is more
advanced because it involves a greater variety of attacks and
blocks usually the defenders own choice.[11]
It also requires the defender to execute a counter-attack faster
than in the earlier types of sparring. Counter-attacks may be
almost anything, including strikes, grapples, and take-down
manoeuvres.
Some schools prescribe the defences, most notable the Kase-ha
Shotokan Ryu which uses an 8 step, three directional blocking
and attacking pattern which develops from yellow belt level
right through to advanced level.
The next level of kumite is freestyle one-step
sparring (jiyu ippon kumite). This type of kumite,
and its successor—free sparring, have been documented
extensively by Nakayama[9][12][13]
and are expanded upon by the JKA instructor trainee program, for
those clubs under the JKA. Freestyle one-step sparring is
similar to one-step sparring but requires the karateka to
be in motion. Practicing one-step sparring improves free
sparring (jiyu kumite) skills, and also provides
an opportunity for practicing major counter-attacks (as opposed
to minor counter-attacks).[10]
Tsutomu Ohshima states that freestyle one-step sparring is
the most realistic practice in Shotokan karate, and that it is
more realistic than free sparring.[14]
Free sparring (jiyu kumite) is the last element
of sparring to be learned. In this exercise, two training
partners are free to use any karate technique or combination of
attacks, and the defender at any given moment is free to avoid,
block, counter, or attack with any karate technique. Training
partners are encouraged to make controlled and focused contact
with their opponent, but to withdraw their attack as soon as
surface contact has been made.[12]
This allows a full range of target areas to be attacked
(including punches and kicks to the face, head, throat, and
body) with no padding or protective gloves, but maintains a
degree of safety for the participants. Throwing one's partner
and performing
takedowns are permitted in free sparring, however it is
unusual for competition matches to involve extended grappling or
ground-wrestling, as Shotokan karateka are encouraged to
end an encounter with a single attack, avoiding extended periods
of conflict or unnecessary contact.
Kaishu ippon kumite is an additional sparring
exercise that is usually introduced for higher grades. This
starts in a similar manner to freestyle one-step sparring; the
attacker names the attack he/she will execute, attacks with that
technique, and the defender blocks and counters the attack.
Unlike freestyle one-step sparring, however, the attacker must
then block the defender's counter-attack and strike back. This
exercise is often considered more difficult than either
freestyle one-step sparring or free sparring, as the defender
typically cannot escape to a safe distance in time to avoid the
counter to the counter-attack.[10]
A point of note, training Kumite within the dojo is not
identical to sport Kumite. In Kumite any and all techniques are
valid; punches, knife hand strikes, headbutt, locks, takedowns,
kickes, etc. In competition; certain regulations apply, certain
techniques are valid, and certain target areas are restricted
(such as the joints or throat). The purpose of competition is to
score points through the application of Kumite principles while
creating an exciting and competitive atmosphere, whereas the
purpose of training Kumite in the dojo is to kill or cripple an
opponent in a realistic situation.
History
Origins
Gichin Funakoshi had trained in both of the popular styles
of Okinawan karate of the time:
Shorei-ryu and
Shorin-ryu. After years of study in both styles, Funakoshi
created a simpler style that combined the ideals of the two.[4]
He never named his style, however, always referring to it simply
as "karate." Funakoshi's karate reflects the changes made in the
art by
Ankō Itosu, including the
Heian/Pinan
kata series. Funakoshi changed the names of the kata
in an effort to make the "foreign" Okinawan names more palatable
to the then-nationalistic Japanese mainland.
In the 1920s, Funakoshi adopted the
Kyū/Dan
rank system and the uniform (keikogi)
developed by
Kano Jigoro, the founder of
judo.[citation
needed] This system uses colored belts (obi)
to indicate rank. Originally, karate had only three belt colors:
white, brown, and black (with ranks within each). The original
belt system, still used by
Shotokan Karate of America is:
- 8th–4th kyū: white
- 3rd–1st kyū: brown
- 1st-5th dan: black
Funakoshi awarded the first 1st dan (初段;
shodan) Shotokan karate ranks to Tokuda, Otsuka, Akiba,
Shimizu, Hirose, Gima, and Kasuya on 10 April 1924.[citation
needed]
Hong Hi Choi, a key figure in the development of
taekwondo, studied Shotokan karate during the Japanese
occupation of
Korea
during the first half of the 20th century.
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