Shotokan karate is both a new and an ancient martial art. It is ancient because its roots are deeply entrenched in the past and new because, as it is expressed now, it is an art that is less than one hundred years old. Shotokan is characterized by its long, low stances, its strong techniques and its dynamic forms.
The “founding father” of shotokan, Gichin Funakoshi, was from Okinawa. He examined the oldest of the Okinawan te (”hand”) systems as a young man and in the early twentieth century brought what he had discovered on the island of Okinawa to mainland Japan, where he demonstrated his art before the Emperor. He intended to return to Okinawa but was convinced to stay and continue instructing in Japan. Funakoshi’s nom de plume was Shoto (which means “waving pines”), and kan means “hall”, so shotokan karate can be translated as, “Shoto’s hall of the way of the empty hand”.
While Funakoshi was the conceiver of shotokan, it was really his son, Yoshitaka Funakoshi who evolved it into the form we know today. It rapidly grew in popularity, backed, encouraged and regulated by the powerful Japan Karate Association, and before long circulated all over the world.
Shotokan has, produced some of the worlds greatest karate advocates, including Hirokazu Kanazawa. It is believed by many karateka (karate practitioners) that Hirokazu has come closest to having, the closest to perfect technique. He studied karate at Takushokyu University and won the Japan Championships in 1962, even with a broken hand. Shotokan Carries on and is practiced by thousands of adults and children, throughout the world.
Triads
Shotokan karate is built on the Triads which represent something deep in the human psyche. There exists the Physical Triad - Kihon (basics), Kumite (sparring) and Kata (forms), which require dedicated training and the constant perfecting of technique. This is followed by the Moral triad of justice, mercy and compassion and finally the Ethical Triad of duty, honor and loyalty. If you put all of the nine triad principles together (nine symbolizes perfection) you achieve the whole, rounded person. When these principles are practiced in a martial art they exemplify one of the fundamental concepts of Shotokan karate- focusing on the development of the human character as a whole being, instead of concentrating on only one aspect of development.
Clothing and Equipment
Shotokan karatekas wear a white cotton top and drawstring trousers, and due to Karate by its very nature being “open handed” a wide variety of martial arts supplies is not necessary for karatekas.
Rank
At 3rd-dan a karateka may be called “sensei”. At 4th-dan it is understood that the karateka is well familiar with the style and has a deep understanding of the technical requisites. A 5th-dan is awarded after the writing of a technical thesis on karate. All dan grade awards after this are for advancement within shotokan, with emphasis on style, devotion, loyalty and commitment to the art.
With the award of 6th-dan comes the title “shihan’ which freely translated means “master” or literally “a teacher of teachers”. At this stage the karateka is considered a master of his/her style and is given the right to wear the red and white belt or may continue to wear the black belt. Although it may take 30 years of hard, disciplined training and study to achieve 6th-dan, this is reputed to be only the starting point to the pursuit of excellence and true knowledge.