What Shotokan is
Shotokan Karate is a Japanese karate style associated with Gichin Funakoshi,
often described as the father of modern karate.
Funakoshi was born in 1868 in Shuri, Okinawa, and dedicated his life to
promoting karate’s values in Japan.
Meaning of Shotokan
The name Shotokan comes from Funakoshi’s pen name, Shoto, often translated as
“waving pines”, plus kan, meaning hall or house.
Origins
Use this section to track:
- Okinawan roots
- Chinese influence
- Ryukyu Kingdom context
- Funakoshi’s role in bringing karate to mainland Japan
- emergence of Shotokan alongside Goju-ryu, Shito-ryu, and Wado-ryu
- JKA, SKIF, and ISKF background
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