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ORIGINS Funakoshi had trained in both of the popular styles of Okinawan karate of the time: Shorei-ryu and Shorin-ryu . After years of intense study of both styles, Master Funakoshi arrived at a new understanding of martial arts, and a simpler style was created, that combined the ideals of Shorei and Shorin. He combined and modified the styles, and made his own, though he never named it, always referring to it simply as "karate". The karate that he transmitted to his students reflects the changes made in the art by Anko Itosu , including the ''Heian/Pinan'' Kata series. Funakoshi himself changed the names of the kata included in his curriculum, in an effort to make the "foreign" Okinawan names more palatable to the then nationalistic Japanese mainland. In several cases, Shotokan kata have been modified, in some places favoring athleticism over practicality. A good example can be found in the side thrust kicks added to the ''nijushiho'' kata. As in all Karate styles it is kata (in this sense, 'kata' is pluralised; since it is Japanese, nothing needs to be done to pluralise the word), formal sequences of basic techniques, that form the backbone of the tradition. The traditional Japanese martial arts, Sumo, JuJutsu and KenJutsu were heavily centered around combat. Master Funakoshi instead, sought a path to physical health and stamina through individual technique. Thus, Modern Karate focused on breathing, releasing energy and outstanding mind and body control. COMMON TERMS CHARACTERISTICS Training is usually divided into three sections: Kihon or "basics", Kumite or "sparring", and Kata (forms or patterns of moves). Shotokan techniques in kihon and kata are characterised by deep, long stances which provide stability, powerful movements and also helps strengthen the legs. Strength and power are often demonstrated instead of slower, more flowing motions. The kumite techniques mirror these stances and movements at a basic level, but progress to being more "free" and flexible at a higher level. Funakoshi is said to have found the traditional martial arts (such as Sumo , Jujutsu and Kenjutsu ) to be too focused on combat, and he put more emphasis on health, breathing, releasing energy and outstanding mind and body control. Shotokan can be regarded as a 'hard' and 'external' martial art. SHOTOKAN TODAY Today, Shotokan remains a very popular style worldwide: Master Funakoshi gave direct permission to Mr. Tsutomu Ohshima , to start a Shotokan organization in the United States of America. Shotokan Karate of America is a nonprofit organization that has been teaching traditional karate-do in the United States since 1955. SKA is still led by Tsutomu Ohshima to this day. Mr. Ohshima is also recognized as the chief instructor of many other SKA-affiliated national Shotokan organizations worldwide. SKA maintains its national headquarters in Los Angeles. Hirokazu Kanazawa (1931-present) was the first to found his own school, called ''Shotokan Karate International''. He studied under , particularly in the matter of flow and balance, and more traditional karate. Taiji Kase (1929-2004) also founded his own group, called the ''World Shotokan Karate Academy''[http://www.kime.to/in_english/srkh_taijikase.en.php], since re-born as the Shotokan-Ryu-Kase-Ha Instructor Academy. He studied martial arts under his father (a Judo instructor), as well as both Gichin Funakoshi and his son Yoshitaka Funakoshi. He left Japan in 1964 to teach karate internationally, but started teaching his own style of Shotokan to avoid the power struggles in the art. The SRKHIA, is an organsiation for 3rd Dans and above as individual members, it does not register national associations and as such its mission is for the technical development of its members to continue. Hidetaka Nishiyama still practices and teaches in Los Angeles, California, as part of the JKI, (Japan Karate Institute). John Fonseca is the current most decorated Shotokan Karate kumite champion in the U.S.A. SHOTOKAN KATA see reference Sugiyama, Shojiro (1984). "25 Shoto-Kan Kata". Shojiro Sugiyama, Chicago. ISBN 0-9669048-0-X. , Funakoshi, Gichin (1973). "Karate-do Kyohan", Kodansha International Ltd, Tokyo. ISBN 0-87011-190-6. KUMITE Beginners are usually introduced to Kumite training with 'gohon kumite' (five-step sparring). Two karateka are required for the exercise. Once they pair up and bow, the attacking karateka steps back into a zenkutsu dachi and announces in a clear, audible fashion the attack. The first type is designated 'jodan' (high level), where they will subsequently execute a high oi-zuki. Their partner must then react by stepping back and executing an age-uke to block the attack. This is repeated until the fifth oi-zuki, when the defender executes a minor counter in the form of a gyaku zuki. The defender is expected to kiai with their counter attack. That completes one sequence. The next step is for the karateka to return to yoi position and the one that was defending takes a turn at attacking, repeating the sequence above. The other type of gohon kumite is designated 'chudan' (mid level). The differences are that chudan level oi-zuki are used by the attacker and soto-uke blocks are used by the defender. The next stage of kumite training is the 'sanbon kumite' (three-step sparring). As its name suggest it involves three steps. It is homologous to gohon kumite but instead of five steps, has three. At intermediate level (usually above 5th kyu), karateka are expected to learn 'ippon kumite' (one step sparring). Though it is only one step, it is more advanced because it involves a greater variety of attacks and blocks. It also requires the defender to execute a minor counter in a timely fashion. Minor counters can be almost anything, including strikes, grapples and take-downs. The next level of kumite is the 'jiyu ippon kumite' (freestyle one step sparring)(Tsutomu Ohshima actually says in his book "Notes on Training" that jiyu ippon kumite is the most realistic practice in Shotokan Karate, and that it is more realistic than jiyu kumite). This is almost the same as ippon kumite but requires the karateka to be in motion. Practice in this is beneficial in improving Jiyu Kumite (freestyle sparring) skills. DOJO The Dojo (道場) is a sacred space used in the practice of karate. Dojo is composed of two characters and means literally, place of the way. A proper Japanese-style martial arts dojo is considered special and is well cared for by its users. In many styles it is traditional to conduct a ritual cleaning of the dojo at the end of each training session (called Sojii ). Many traditional dojo follow a prescribed pattern with shomen and various entrances that are used based on student and instructor rank laid out precisely. It is not uncommon to find the name of the dojo and the Dojo Kun (dojo rules) displayed prominently at shomen as well. The dojo kun used by the International Shotokan Karate Federation is as follows:
At the end of a training session, Mokuso (meditation) may occur. It is a short, tranquil period where the karateka can reflect on the session just finished. RANK SYSTEM Around the 1920's, Funakoshi adopted the Kyu/Dan system, along with the Judoka's uniform, the Gi that had been developed by Kano Jigoro. This system used colored belts as an indication of rank. Originally, Karate had only 3 obi (belt) colours. White, Brown and Black, with several ranks of each. Here is the original belt system, still used by Shotokan Karate of America {Link without Title} : The first " Shodan " (初段) ranks given by Funakoshi in karate were to Tokuda, Otsuka, Akiba, Shimizu, Hirose, Gima, and Kasuya on April 10, 1924. Most schools use the kyu/dan system but have added other colors. TRIVIA
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