Gichin Funakoshi
From Karate, Kungfu, Wrestling, Mixed Fighting Information Source
Gichin Funakoshi was an Okinawan karate master who formally introduced karate to the Japanese mainland in 1921.
His son, Funakoshi Yoshitaka modernized the system of karate that he originally developed. This was accomplished predominately by lowering the height of some techniques such as tsuki (punches), shoto uke (knife hand strike) and adding kicking techniques above the waist. Shotokan, as it came to be called, was influenced by kendo distancing and timings. Funakoshi had trained in both of the popular styles of Okinawan karate of the time: Shorei-ryu and Shorin-ryu.
In 1936 Funakoshi built the Shotokan dojo in Tokyo that eventually led to the creation of the Japan Karate Association (JKA) in 1955 with Funakoshi named as the chief instructor, however, Funakoshi was not supportive of all of the changes that the organization made to his karate. He remained in Tokyo until his death in April 1957, aged 88. After World War 2, Funakoshi's surviving students (largely consisting of university students) formalized his teachings into a style that grew to be called Shotokan (松涛館 Shōtōkan), literally, the house of pine waves. Shoto refers to the pen name that Funakoshi used when writing poetry, and Kan refers to the hall or building where the students of Shoto practiced.
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Childhood
Sensei Funakoshi (sa what his tudents called him), was born in Shuri, Okinawa in Yamakawa-cho district on November 10, 1868. The official district records, however, show that his birth took place in 1870, but he in fact he falsified his own records in order to be able to take the Tokyo Medical School entrance examination. In spite of passing the exam Funakoshi sensei never did become a member of the medical profession. Born a frail child many members of his family felt that he was destined for a short and uneventful life. Little did his family know just how long, and how important his life would really be.
It was during his early primary school years that he was first inntroduced to the study "To-de" or "Chinese Hand" under Master Anko Asato, as his family felt that by studying the art of karate it might help to strengthen him physically and thus improve the quality of his life. A good student Gichin Funakoshi flourished under the tutelage of Master Asato to whose home he travelled each evening to practice karate. Later Master Asato would introduce him to another important teacher under whom he would also study, Master Anko Itosu. It was these two men more than any others, who would have the greatest impact on his life. No longer interested in entering the medical school it was while studying karate that Gichin Funakoshi decided to become a school teacher, and so after passing the qualifying examination, he took charge of his first primary school class in 1888. It was a profession he was to follow for more than thirty years.
Late Years
A high point in Gichin Funakoshi's karate took place on March 6, 1921 when he had the honour of demonstrating the art of "Okinawan te" to then Crown Prince Hirohito during a visit he made to Okinawa. Then, in the Spring of 1922, Gichin Funakoshi traveled to Tokyo where he had been invited to present his art of To-de at the First National Athletic Exhibition in Tokyo, which had been organized by the Ministry of Education. After the demonstration he was strongly urged by several eminent groups and individuals to remain in Japan, and indeed he never did return to live in Okinawa. He lived in a small room beside the entrance and would clean the dormitory during the day when the students were in their classes and work erands as a gardener too. At night, he would teach them karate.
The Founding of Shotokan Dojo
As it had in Okinawa, the educational system of Japan was to become a major factor in the spread of karate. By 1924 Gichin Funakoshi had started to introduce karate to several of the local universities, first at Keio, followed by Chuo, Tokyo, and Waseda to name but a few. It was through these universities that he was able to reach a much larger audience and this contributed greatly to the growing popularity of karate.Master Funakoshi was finally able to establish the Shoto-kan dojo in 1936, a great landmark in the history of karate. Funakoshi sensei was not only a genius in martial arts, but he was also a literary talent, and he signed all of his works "Shoto" which was his pen name. Hence, the dojo where he taught came to be known as "Shoto's school" or "Shoto's kan" which was ultimately adopted as the official name for his style of karate.
Funakoshi sensei had combined the techniques and katas of the two major Okinawan styles to form his own style of karate, as a result, today Shotokan karate-do includes the powerful techniques of the Shorei style of karate, as well as the lighter more flexible movements of the Shorin style of karate. The martial arts world in Japan, especially from the early Twenties and up to the early Forties, was an ultra-nationalist moment in history, and they looked down their noses at any art that was not pure, calling it a pagan and savage art. Funakoshi overcame this prejudice and finally gained formal recognition of Karate as one of the Japanese martial arts by 1941. Needless to say, many karate clubs flourished on mainland Japan.
Gichin Funakoshi was a humble man. He preached and practiced an essential humility. He did not preach the humility of virtue, but a basic humility of a man who is rooted in the true perspective of things, full of life and awareness. He lived at peace with himself and with his fellow men. Whenever the name of Gichin Funakoshi is mentioned, it brings to mind the parable of "A Man of Tao (Do) and a Little Man". As it is told, a student once asked, "What is the difference between a man of Tao and a little man?" The sensei replies, "It is simple. When the little man receives his first dan (degree or rank), he can hardly wait to run home and shout at the top of his voice to tell everyone that he has obtained his first dan. Upon receiving his second dan, he will climb to the rooftops and shout to the people. Upon receiving his third dan, he will jump in his automobile and parade through town blowing the horn, telling one and all about his third dan". The sensei continues, "When the man of Tao receives his first dan, he will bow his head in gratitude. Upon receiving his second dan, he will bow his head and his shoulders. Upon receiving his third dan, he will bow at the waist and quietly walk alongside the wall so that people will not see him or notice him". Funakoshi was a man of Tao. He placed no emphasis whatsoever on competitions, record breaking or championships. He placed emphasis on individual self-perfection. He believed in the common decency and respect that one human being owes another. He was the master of masters.He died in 1957 at age 89, after humbly making the largest contribution to the art of 'Karate-Do.
Shoto Dojo Kun (Gichin Funakoshi's Training Precepts)
- Hitotsu, jinkaku kansei ni tsutomuro koto.
First, seek perfection of character. - Hitotsu, makoto no michi wo mamoru koto.
First, defend the path of truth and sincerity. - Hitotsu, doryoku no seishin o yashinau koto.
First, foster the spirit of effort. - Hitotsu, reigi o omonzuru koto.
First, respect the principles of etiquette. - Hitotsu, kekki no yu o imashimuru koto.
First, have self control to refrain from impetuous and violent behavior.
Shoto Niju Kun (Gichin Funakoshi's Twenty Precepts)
- Karate-do wa rei ni hajimari, rei ni owaru koto wo wasuruna.
Karate begins and ends with courtesy - Karate ni sente nashi.
There is no first attack in karate. - Karate wa gi no tasuke.
Karate is an assistance to justice. - Mazu jiko wo shire, shikoshite tao wo shire.
Know yourself before you know others. - Gijutsu yori shinjutsu.
Spirit before technique. - Kokoro wa hanatan koto wo yosu.
Be ready to free your mind. - Wazawai wa getai ni shozu.
Accidents come from inattention. - Dojo nomino karate to omou na.
Karate training is not only in the dojo. - Karate no shugyo wa issho de aru.
You will never stop learning karate. - Arai-yuru mono wo karate-ka seyo, soko ni myo-mi ari.
Make karate part of your life and you will find myo. - Karate wa yu no goto shi taezu natsudo wo ataezareba moto no mizu ni kaeru.
Karate is like hot water. If not given continual heat, it will go cold. - Katsu kangae wa motsu na makenu kangae wa hitsuyo.
Do not think you must win. Instead, think that you do not have to lose. - Tekki ni yotte tenka seyo.
Adapt yourself subject to your opponent - Tattakai wa kyo-jitsu no soju ikan ni ari.
The fight depends on your handling of your marksmanship - Hito no te ashi wo ken to omoe.
Think that your hands and feet are swords. - Danshi mon wo izureba hyakuman no tekki ari.
Be aware of your actions so as not to invite trouble. - Kamae wa shoshinsha ni ato wa shizentai.
First master low stances, then natural posture. - Kata wa tadashiku jissen wa betsu mono.
Practicing kata is no substitute for the real thing. - Chikara no kyojaku, karada no shinshuku, waza no kankyu wo wasaruna.
Hard and soft, tension and relaxation, quick and slow, all connected with correct breathing. - Tsune ni shinen kufu seyo.
Think of ways to apply these precepts every day.
