Shotokan Tradition

Shotokan karate is one of the oldest and most popular styles of karate. It was developed at the beginning of the last century by Master Gichin Funakoshi (1868-1957) from the southern Japanese island of Okinawa.

Two relatively different styles - in spirit as well as mechanics - used to exist in Okinawa in the late nineteenth century: Shorei-ryu and Shorin-ryu. The former was designed for well built people, placed emphasis on developing physical strength and was impressive in its shear power. The latter was light and quick, with fast strikes and counterattacks, designed for people who were small in size and very agile.

After years of intense study in both styles, Master Funakoshi arrived at a new understanding of martial arts, and a novel style was created that combined the ideals of Shorei and Shorin - Shotokan.

As in all karate styles, it is katas - formal sequences of basic techniques - which form the backbone of the tradition. The traditional Japanese martial arts - judo and kendo - were heavily centered around combat (kumite). Master Funakoshi instead, in the centuries old Okinawa tradition, sought a path to spiritual depth through individual technique. Thus, Shotokan initially developed as a formal style with little kumite application, focusing on breathing and releasing energy while controlling mind and body.