Shotokai
Encyclopedia
is the organisation formed originally in 1930 by Gichin Funakoshi
to teach and spread the art of karate
. The organization still exists and promotes a style of karate that adheres to Funakoshi's teachings, in particular the notion that competition is contrary to the essence of karate. Nowadays, the name also designates a formal practice method.
. Shotokai is the name of the association launched by Gichin Funakoshi originally in 1930. The original name was Dai Nihon Karate-do Kenkyukai. The association is known in Japan as Dai Nihon Karate-do Shotokai since 1936 . Shotokan is the name of its Honbu Dojo (main practicing hall). Gichin Funakoshi's karate style is also known as Shotokan ryu.
The name derives from Shoto, the pen name which Funakoshi used to sign his poems, literally translated as "pine leaves". Kai means "group" or 'method' therefore Shotokai is translated as "Shoto's group" or "Shoto's method." Shotokai's most prominent masters are Gichin Funakoshi with his top students Giko (Yoshitaka) Funakoshi, Genshin (Motonobu) Hironishi, Tadao Okuyama and Shigeru Egami.
At Funakoshi's death in 1957, his students split into several factions: on one side there was a group known Nihon Karate Kyokai (Japan Karate Association, JKA) and on another side the Shotokai Association. One of the largest issues between them was the Funakoshi's funeral arrangement's and also one of the stumbling blocks between the two groups was the question of whether competitions were to be introduced or not.
Although Shotokai is the name of Shotokan Karate association, it has defined practice method widely known as Shotokai Karate. Shigeru Egami
defined the broad outlines of the new way of practising that he developed after having, in a number of tests, discovered the inefficiency of the karate method at that time.
After years of research, Egami found an efficient way of striking by executing the movement in a relaxed state of mind and body. This is the basis of Shotokai. It focuses on suppleness and relaxation, as opposed to tenseness that generates force. Elaborating this basic idea, he suggested new forms of techniques and a new way of practising.
Shotokai refrains from the competition Karate because Gichin Funakoshi used to say that there are no contests in Karate. Master Egami wrote: "First of all, we must practise Karate like a combat technique and then, with time and experience, we will be able to understand a certain state of soul and will be able to open ourselves to the horizons of 'jita-ittai' (the union of one with the other) which lay beyond fighting. This is the principle of coexistence which enables us to live together in prosperity."
Shotokai is the keeper of Gichin Funakoshi's Karate heritage and has for example republished his books during the years. It has also kept the art of Shotokan Karate weaponry (primarily bo/kon in Japanese) in practice schedule .
Shigeru Egami
(1912–1981), one of Gichin's most talented students, took over Nihon Karate-do Shoto-kai together with Motonobu Hironishi and developed the art even further, making it what it is today. Shigeru Egami was the chief instructor of the Shotokan Dojo 1976-1981 .
Motonobu Hironishi (1913–1999) studied under Gichin and Yoshitaka, together with his close friend Shigeru Egami. He was the president of the Shotokai 1962-1995 .
Jotaro Takagi (1927–) has been the chairman of the Shotokai in Tokyo since 1995.
Mitsusuke Harada
(1928–) studied under Gichin and Yoshitaka Funakoshi, and most importantly under Egami in the early 1950s, with whom he practiced seven days a week for 18 months. He received his fifth dan from Gichin Funakoshi in 1956, the only surviving instructor with that honour. Harass also received professor certificate from Master Shigeru Egami and as well a document written by Master Shigeru Egami declaring that Master Mitsusuke Harada is a top representative and technical adviser for Europe for the Karate-do Shotokai group. Harada is principal Instructor of the KDS™ Organization. The KDS™ was established in the U.K. in 1965 by Master Mitsusuke Harada.
Tetsuji Murakami
(1927–1987). Tetsuji Murakami was born in the Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, in 1927. At the age of nineteen he started training Karate-do under Master Masaji Yamagushi (a student of O-sensei), he did so for ten years at the same time he studied Kendo, and Aikido. In 1957, he was invited to France by Henri Plée of the French Martial Arts Academy. In 1959, he is invited to Italy by sensei Vladimiro Malatesti. His skills and charisma begin to draw a following of the top students in Europe. His influence progressively expands to Germany, England, Yugoslavia, Algeria, Portugal, and Switzerland. In 1968, he travels back to Japan where he trains with Master Shigeru Egami. Very impressed by Master Egami and the improved techniques, including a technique called, 'irimi' he observes, he decides to make a profound and very difficult transformation in his technique and his practice. He returns to Europe as the representative of the Nihon Karate-do Shotokai. In the following years the expansion of Murakami's Shotokai continues. His students include Luis de Carvalho, Patrick Herbert,Yves Ayache, Borko Jovanovic, Pierre-John Boyer, and others. Master Tetsuji Murakami dies in Paris in the year 1987.
are practiced same as other forms of karate, although Shotokai often emphasizes smooth flowing movements rather than the sharp snappy movements of other styles. Kumite
(sparring) in some Shotokai schools is practiced with full strength attacks, and is tightly controlled in terms of who is attacking and defending and the attacks that can be performed in order to reduce the chance of injury. The essence of Shoto-Kai is found in the technique called 'irimi'. Irimi is predicting an opponent's intent and attack catching the opponent very early. A seasoned practioner can sense the opponent often before there is any visible movement which is the ultimate fulfillment of Funakoshi's statement that, 'there is no first attack' in karate. Irimi is profound and distinguishing element of Shoto Kai practice.
Gichin Funakoshi
was the creator of Shotokan karate, perhaps the most widely known style of karate, and is attributed as being the 'father of modern karate.' Following the teachings of Anko Itosu, he was one of the Okinawan karate masters who introduced karate to the Japanese mainland in 1921...
to teach and spread the art of karate
Karate
is a martial art developed in the Ryukyu Islands in what is now Okinawa, Japan. It was developed from indigenous fighting methods called and Chinese kenpō. Karate is a striking art using punching, kicking, knee and elbow strikes, and open-handed techniques such as knife-hands. Grappling, locks,...
. The organization still exists and promotes a style of karate that adheres to Funakoshi's teachings, in particular the notion that competition is contrary to the essence of karate. Nowadays, the name also designates a formal practice method.
Origins
Shotokai is not an official style of karateKarate
is a martial art developed in the Ryukyu Islands in what is now Okinawa, Japan. It was developed from indigenous fighting methods called and Chinese kenpō. Karate is a striking art using punching, kicking, knee and elbow strikes, and open-handed techniques such as knife-hands. Grappling, locks,...
. Shotokai is the name of the association launched by Gichin Funakoshi originally in 1930. The original name was Dai Nihon Karate-do Kenkyukai. The association is known in Japan as Dai Nihon Karate-do Shotokai since 1936 . Shotokan is the name of its Honbu Dojo (main practicing hall). Gichin Funakoshi's karate style is also known as Shotokan ryu.
The name derives from Shoto, the pen name which Funakoshi used to sign his poems, literally translated as "pine leaves". Kai means "group" or 'method' therefore Shotokai is translated as "Shoto's group" or "Shoto's method." Shotokai's most prominent masters are Gichin Funakoshi with his top students Giko (Yoshitaka) Funakoshi, Genshin (Motonobu) Hironishi, Tadao Okuyama and Shigeru Egami.
At Funakoshi's death in 1957, his students split into several factions: on one side there was a group known Nihon Karate Kyokai (Japan Karate Association, JKA) and on another side the Shotokai Association. One of the largest issues between them was the Funakoshi's funeral arrangement's and also one of the stumbling blocks between the two groups was the question of whether competitions were to be introduced or not.
Although Shotokai is the name of Shotokan Karate association, it has defined practice method widely known as Shotokai Karate. Shigeru Egami
Shigeru Egami
was a pioneering Japanese master of Shotokan karate who founded the Shōtōkai style. He was a student of Gichin Funakoshi, who is widely recognized as the founder of modern karate.-Early life:...
defined the broad outlines of the new way of practising that he developed after having, in a number of tests, discovered the inefficiency of the karate method at that time.
After years of research, Egami found an efficient way of striking by executing the movement in a relaxed state of mind and body. This is the basis of Shotokai. It focuses on suppleness and relaxation, as opposed to tenseness that generates force. Elaborating this basic idea, he suggested new forms of techniques and a new way of practising.
Shotokai refrains from the competition Karate because Gichin Funakoshi used to say that there are no contests in Karate. Master Egami wrote: "First of all, we must practise Karate like a combat technique and then, with time and experience, we will be able to understand a certain state of soul and will be able to open ourselves to the horizons of 'jita-ittai' (the union of one with the other) which lay beyond fighting. This is the principle of coexistence which enables us to live together in prosperity."
Shotokai is the keeper of Gichin Funakoshi's Karate heritage and has for example republished his books during the years. It has also kept the art of Shotokan Karate weaponry (primarily bo/kon in Japanese) in practice schedule .
Master instructors
Gigō Funakoshi (1906–1945), Gichin's third son, also known as Yoshitaka Funakoshi or Waka Sensei (the young master). He developed and introduced many new techniques into Karate, for example a rooted/immovable stance fudo-dachi and a roundhouse kick mawashi-geri. Giko is considered to be one of the most talented practitioners of the modern Karate. He died of tuberculosis.Shigeru Egami
Shigeru Egami
was a pioneering Japanese master of Shotokan karate who founded the Shōtōkai style. He was a student of Gichin Funakoshi, who is widely recognized as the founder of modern karate.-Early life:...
(1912–1981), one of Gichin's most talented students, took over Nihon Karate-do Shoto-kai together with Motonobu Hironishi and developed the art even further, making it what it is today. Shigeru Egami was the chief instructor of the Shotokan Dojo 1976-1981 .
Motonobu Hironishi (1913–1999) studied under Gichin and Yoshitaka, together with his close friend Shigeru Egami. He was the president of the Shotokai 1962-1995 .
Jotaro Takagi (1927–) has been the chairman of the Shotokai in Tokyo since 1995.
Mitsusuke Harada
Mitsusuke Harada
is a prominent Japanese master of Shotokan karate who introduced this martial art to Brazil and is now based in the United Kingdom. He founded the Karate-do Shotokai organisation in 1965 and is its President...
(1928–) studied under Gichin and Yoshitaka Funakoshi, and most importantly under Egami in the early 1950s, with whom he practiced seven days a week for 18 months. He received his fifth dan from Gichin Funakoshi in 1956, the only surviving instructor with that honour. Harass also received professor certificate from Master Shigeru Egami and as well a document written by Master Shigeru Egami declaring that Master Mitsusuke Harada is a top representative and technical adviser for Europe for the Karate-do Shotokai group. Harada is principal Instructor of the KDS™ Organization. The KDS™ was established in the U.K. in 1965 by Master Mitsusuke Harada.
Tetsuji Murakami
Tetsuji Murakami
Tetsuji Murakami was a karate master and teacher. He was born in the Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, in 1927. When he turned nineteen, he started learning Karate-do under Master Masaji Yamagushi, a student of O-sensei. He trained for ten years, also learning the styles of kendo and aikido. In 1957, he...
(1927–1987). Tetsuji Murakami was born in the Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, in 1927. At the age of nineteen he started training Karate-do under Master Masaji Yamagushi (a student of O-sensei), he did so for ten years at the same time he studied Kendo, and Aikido. In 1957, he was invited to France by Henri Plée of the French Martial Arts Academy. In 1959, he is invited to Italy by sensei Vladimiro Malatesti. His skills and charisma begin to draw a following of the top students in Europe. His influence progressively expands to Germany, England, Yugoslavia, Algeria, Portugal, and Switzerland. In 1968, he travels back to Japan where he trains with Master Shigeru Egami. Very impressed by Master Egami and the improved techniques, including a technique called, 'irimi' he observes, he decides to make a profound and very difficult transformation in his technique and his practice. He returns to Europe as the representative of the Nihon Karate-do Shotokai. In the following years the expansion of Murakami's Shotokai continues. His students include Luis de Carvalho, Patrick Herbert,Yves Ayache, Borko Jovanovic, Pierre-John Boyer, and others. Master Tetsuji Murakami dies in Paris in the year 1987.
The style
Shotokai Karate differs much from Shotokan in that it emphasizes spiritual practice over competitive tournaments. The traditional KataKata
is a Japanese word describing detailed choreographed patterns of movements practised either solo or in pairs. The term form is used for the corresponding concept in non-Japanese martial arts in general....
are practiced same as other forms of karate, although Shotokai often emphasizes smooth flowing movements rather than the sharp snappy movements of other styles. Kumite
Kumite
Kumite means sparring, and is one of the three main sections of karate training, along with kata and kihon. Kumite is the part of karate in which you train against an adversary, using the techniques learned from the kihon and kata....
(sparring) in some Shotokai schools is practiced with full strength attacks, and is tightly controlled in terms of who is attacking and defending and the attacks that can be performed in order to reduce the chance of injury. The essence of Shoto-Kai is found in the technique called 'irimi'. Irimi is predicting an opponent's intent and attack catching the opponent very early. A seasoned practioner can sense the opponent often before there is any visible movement which is the ultimate fulfillment of Funakoshi's statement that, 'there is no first attack' in karate. Irimi is profound and distinguishing element of Shoto Kai practice.
Organizations
- Karate Do Shotokai USA
- London Karate-do Shoto Association (LKDSA) England
- Glasgow Karate-do Shoto Association Scotland
- AKSER (Association Karate-Do Shotokai Egamiryu)
- Israel Shotokai Karate-Do Association
- Karate Do Italia Kenkyukai
- Karate Do Shotokai
- Kiseikai (France)
- Karate Do Shotokai Denmark Association
- Karate Do Shotokai Europe (KDSE)
- Murakami-Kai
- Nihon Karate-do Shotokai
- Shin-do Shotokai
- Shotokai Karate Budo (SKB)
- Scuola Shotokai Italia (S.S.I.)
- American Karate Do Shotokai (AKDS)
- Finland Karate Do Shotokai (FKDS)
- Estonian Karate Do Shotokai (EKDS)
- KDS - Karate Do Shotokai (in U.K)
External links
- Karate Do Shotokai USA
- Karate Do Shotokai Europe (KDSE)
- Karate Do Shotokai Denmark Association - (Denmark)
- Kiseikai (France)
- London Karate-do Shoto Association - LKDSA - (England)
- Nihon-Karate Do Shoto-kai - NKS - (Japan)
- Egami Karate Do Yutenkai - (Japan)
- Scuola Shotokai Italia - SSI - (Italy)
- ISKA-Israel Shotokai Karate Do Association -(Israel)
- Karate Do Shotokai Encyclopedia
- Shotokai Karate Budo - (Chile)