Program
Shotokan and its History
In its most basic form, karate is an art or systemized method of physical
and mental activity which developed over several thousand years. As a way
of enhancingmediation techniques, monks at Shaolin monasteries in
China were taught vajramuchti, a martial art originating in India. These
teaching became the basis for the Chinese form, ch’uan-fa or kenpo.
Through trade, and conquests, the varied styles of Chinese martial found
their way to the Ryukyu Islands, the largest of which is Okinawa. The
original Okinawan fighting system, te (hand), developed mostly from a ban
of all weapons when Okinawa was occupied by the Shimazu in 1609. In
this way the two ancestors of modern karate-do,Okinawa-te” and “To te”
(Chinese hand) were formed.
Ginchin Funakoshi, generally considered, “the father of modern karate,”
introduced karate to Japan by way of exhibitions in 1917 in Kyoto and again
in 1922 at theMinistry of Education in Tokyo. Funakoshi changed the Kanji
character of his fighting style to read kara instead of to, changing the name
of this martial art form from, to te (Chinese hand) to kara te (“empty hand”).
Gichin Funakoshi, a noted calligrapher, signed his work with his pan
same, Shoto. As such his school, and later his style, became known as
Shotokan of Shoto’s School. Mr. Funakoshi organized the Japan Karate
Association in 1948 and served as its head master until his passing in
1957.
In its most basic form, karate is an art or systemized method of physical
and mental activity which developed over several thousand years. As a way
of enhancingmediation techniques, monks at Shaolin monasteries in
China were taught vajramuchti, a martial art originating in India. These
teaching became the basis for the Chinese form, ch’uan-fa or kenpo.
Through trade, and conquests, the varied styles of Chinese martial found
their way to the Ryukyu Islands, the largest of which is Okinawa. The
original Okinawan fighting system, te (hand), developed mostly from a ban
of all weapons when Okinawa was occupied by the Shimazu in 1609. In
this way the two ancestors of modern karate-do,Okinawa-te” and “To te”
(Chinese hand) were formed.
Ginchin Funakoshi, generally considered, “the father of modern karate,”
introduced karate to Japan by way of exhibitions in 1917 in Kyoto and again
in 1922 at theMinistry of Education in Tokyo. Funakoshi changed the Kanji
character of his fighting style to read kara instead of to, changing the name
of this martial art form from, to te (Chinese hand) to kara te (“empty hand”).
Gichin Funakoshi, a noted calligrapher, signed his work with his pan
same, Shoto. As such his school, and later his style, became known as
Shotokan of Shoto’s School. Mr. Funakoshi organized the Japan Karate
Association in 1948 and served as its head master until his passing in
1957.
Instruction
Karate is a highly dynamic physical art that balances the use of all
major muscle groups with he control provided through mental
discipline. It provided excellent exercise while developing
coordination, agility and self confidence. The club, or dojo,
adheres strictly to the principles of self-improvement through
diligent training formulated by the founder of modern karate,
Gichin Funakoshi.
Classes are designed for students at all levels. Special training
is available for beginners and children, with an emphasis on
fundamentals. All students practice the
basic techniques of blocking, punching, kicking and striking, with
careful attention of technical details. For students who are
interested in attaining rank, examinations are conducted quarterly
by qualified instructors.
Karate is a highly dynamic physical art that balances the use of all
major muscle groups with he control provided through mental
discipline. It provided excellent exercise while developing
coordination, agility and self confidence. The club, or dojo,
adheres strictly to the principles of self-improvement through
diligent training formulated by the founder of modern karate,
Gichin Funakoshi.
Classes are designed for students at all levels. Special training
is available for beginners and children, with an emphasis on
fundamentals. All students practice the
basic techniques of blocking, punching, kicking and striking, with
careful attention of technical details. For students who are
interested in attaining rank, examinations are conducted quarterly
by qualified instructors.
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
