Soshiki Karate 組織空手 (松濤館) ကရာေတး: Famous masters of Karate

Famous masters of Karate

Karate Myint Kywe

(Myoma Myint Kywe)

Chief Instructor of Soshiki Karate since 1978

MEANING OF “KARA”

The first connotation of kara indicates that karate is a technique that permits one to defend himself with his bare hands and fists without weapons.

Second, just as it is the clear mirror that reflects without distortion, or the quiet valley that echoes a sound, so must one who would study Karate-do purge himself of selfish and evil thoughts, for only with a clear mind and conscience can he understand that which he receives. This is another meaning of the element kara in Karate-do.

Next, he who would study Karate-do must always strive to be inwardly humble and outwardly gentle. However, once he has decided to stand up for the cause of justice, then he must have the courage expressed in the saying, "Even if it must be ten million foes, I go!" Thus, he is like the green bamboo stalk: hollow (kara) inside, straight, and with knots, that is, unselfish, gentle, and moderate. This meaning is also contained in the element kara of Karate-do.

Finally, in a fundamental way, the form of the universe is emptiness (kara), and, thus, emptiness is form itself. There are many kinds of martial arts, judo, kendo, sojitsu ("spear techniques"), bojitsu ("stick techniques"), and others, but at a fundamental level all these arts rest on the same basis as Karate-do. It is no exaggeration to say that the original sense of Karate-do is at one with the basis of all martial arts. Form is emptiness, emptiness is form itself. The kara of Karate-do has this meaning.

What is KARA along with Sunyata of Zen!

The influence of those various doctrinal and textual backgrounds is still discernable in Zen. Zen teachers still mention the Buddha-nature, but the Zen tradition also emphasizes that Buddha-nature is Sunyata, the absence of an independent and substantial "self".

Sunyata 空 (仏教) in Buddhism, translated into English as emptiness, openness, spaciousness, vacuity, is a Buddhist concept which has multiple meanings depending on its doctrinal context. In Theravada Buddhism, sunnata often refers to the not-self (Pali: anatta) nature of the five aggregates of experience and the six sense spheres. Sunnata is also often used to refer to a meditative state or experience.

Without Zen, the practice of Karate martial arts is a meaningless practice, and it becomes simply a sport like hockey or baseball.

An analysis of the ancient Chinese ideographic character Kara will show its Buddhist connotative meaning which goes beyond "weaponless hand." Kara, also read as Ku, originates from Sunya, the small ellipsoid known as zero in mathematics. Sunya or Sunyata is the Sanskrit term for void, emptiness, or the absence of duality and conceptualization. Chinese Zen masters transcribed Sunyata in their scriptures as Kara or Ku, which is also the first character of Karate.

Gichin Funakoshi, the founder of Shotokan karate, also studied Zen and integrated it into his teachings of karate. A perfect example of Zen's influence in karate can be seen when performing mokuso (meditation) at the beginning and end of every class. This idea of meditation stems directly from Zen. The Dojo Kun recited at the end of every class is derived from Buddhist teachings. The following is a summary of the most basic principles of Buddhism.

The concept of morality requires the karate practitioners to live an ethical life. This involves proper behaviour in all aspects of life. The Buddhist code forbids killing, stealing, lying, etc. Instead, it preaches love for fellow man. Herein lies the code of all martial artists: one's skill to harm others should only be used for self-defense or for the preservation of justice.

Mental discipline, another core idea of Buddhism, is one of the most highly sought after rewards of all martial arts training. The Zen Buddhist school is known for its emphasis on meditation, called zazen, to strengthen and discipline the mind. By controlling the mind, one can suppress desire and control emotions. In Zen Buddhism, zazen (literally "seated meditation"; Japanese: 坐禅; simplified Chinese: 坐禅; traditional Chinese: 坐禪; is a meditative discipline that is typically the primary religious practice. Zazen is considered the heart of Japanese Soto Zen Buddhist practice.

The martial arts practitioner should feel no anger, no pride, no pain, no suffering of any kind. These are the major causes of violence, unhappiness, and defeat, and they must be avoided. Budo training was and is often very harsh in order to bring the individual to the boundaries of their physical limitations, and then to surpass them.

Budo and Zen Buddhism have been intertwined since the days of Bodhidharma. Budo (武道) is a Japanese term describing modern Japanese martial arts. One without the other could lead to physically weak priests or spiritually weak martial artists. Sadly, one does not have to look very far to find examples of "spiritually weak" martial artists today.

In Karate-Do My Way of Life, master Gichin Funakoshi wrote about his use of the Japanese character for "empty" in the term Karate. Confusion had arisen because the word kara- could either mean "Chinese" or "empty" depending upon the ideographic character which was used. Since so much of Okinawan Karate or Te was traceable to China, the term "Chinese hand" was a reasonable interpretation. Wrote Funakoshi:

The kara that means "empty" is definitely the more appropriate. This defense makes use of no weapons, only bare feet and empty hands. Further, students of Karate-do aim not only toward perfecting their chosen art but also toward emptying heart and mind of all earthly desire and vanity.

The modern history of karate begins in Okinawa. Okinawa-Te (Okinawan hand), or simply Te was a simple but highly effective method evolving through centuries of use in real combat. The banning of weapons on the island for two long periods in its history contributed to the high degree of development of this method.

But Okinawa-Te was also influenced by the much more elaborate techniques and philosophical teachings of Shaolin Kung fu. These origins explain the dual nature of karate: extremely violent and efficient but at the same time a strictly disciplined philosophy with a nonviolent emphasis.

The great benefactors of Karate

Master Kusanku (クーサンクー、公相君) or Kushanku (クーシャンクー), also known as Kwang Shang Fu, was a Chinese martial artist who lived during the 18th century. He is credited as having an influence on virtually all karate-derived martial arts.

Kusanku learned the Chinese martial arts from a Shaolin Buddhist monk. The Shaolin temples were like martial arts universities. The Shaolin Temples (monasteries) are possibly the most revered and famous structures in the history of all martial arts.

The genesis of Chinese martial arts has been attributed to the need for self-defense, hunting techniques and military training in ancient China. Hand-to-hand combat and weapons practice were important in training ancient Chinese soldiers. He was thought to have resided (and possibly studied martial arts) in the Fujian/Fukien province 福建 for much of his life. Around 1756, Kusanku was sent to Okinawa as an ambassador of the Qing Dynasty. He resided in the village of Kanemura, near Naha City. During his stay in Okinawa, Kusanku instructed and taught Kanga Sakukawa. Sakugawa trained under Kūsankū for six years. After Kusanku's death (around 1762), Sakugawa developed and named the Kusanku kata in honor of his teacher.

Master Peichin Takahara (1683-1760) was an early karate practitioner. He was known as a great warrior and is attributed to have been the first to explain the aspects or principles of the do ("way") was a social class of the Ryukyu Kingdom. These principles are:

(1) ijo, the way-compassion, humility, and love.

(2) katsu, the laws-complete understanding of all techniques and forms of karate.

(3) fo dedication-the seriousness of karate that must be understood not only in practice, but in actual combat.

The collective translation is: "One’s duty to himself and his fellow man." He was the first teacher of Sakukawa "Tode" Kanga who was to become known as the "father of Okinawan karate."

Master Kanga Sakugawa (1733 - 1815), also Sakugawa Satunushi and Tode Sakugawa, was a Ryukyuan martial arts master and major contributor to the development of Te, the precursor to modern karate.

Master Matsumura Sokon was born in Yamagawa Village, Shuri, Okinawa. Matsumura began the study of karate under the guidance of Sakukawa Kanga. Matsumura Sokon was one of the original karate masters of Okinawa. The years of his lifespan are reported variously as c.1809-1901 or 1798–1890 or 1809–1896 or 1800–1892. Master Matsumura Sokon is the master of Anko Asato and Anko Itosu.

Master Anko Asato (安里安恒 1827 – 1906) was a Ryukyuan master of karate. He and Anko Itosu were the two main karate masters who taught Gichin Funakoshi, the founder of Shotokan karate. Funakoshi appears to be the source of most of the information available on Asato. Many articles contain information about Asato, but the relevant parts are clearly based on Funakoshi's descriptions of him. Funakoshi noted that Asato and Itosu had studied karate together under Master Sokon Matsumura. Sokon Matsumura was a pupil of Master Sakugawa Kanga (1733 - 1815).

Master Anko Asato and Master Anko Itosu were the two main famous karate masters who taught master Gichin Funakoshi, the founder of Shotokan karate. Funakoshi appears to be the source of most of the information available on Asato. Many articles contain information about Asato, but the relevant parts are clearly based on Funakoshi's descriptions of him. It was only in 1915 that karate was introduced to mainland Japan after a demonstration was given for the Emperor by one of the top Okinawan karate Masters, master Gichin Funakoshi (father of modern karate).

It soon became popular with the Japanese people and other masters were encouraged to visit from Okinawa to teach the art, among them Master Kenwa Mabuni and Master Chojun Miyagi. This teaching mainly took place in the Japanese universities. It was then that the Japanese decided to give names to distinguish between the teaching methods of the Masters.

In 1916 Master Gichin Funakoshi became the first expert to introduce karate-do from Okinawa to mainland Japan. One of the few people to have been initiated into all the major Okinawan karate methods, Master Funakoshi taught a synthesis of the Okinawan styles as a total discipline. This method became known as Shotokan (literally “House of Shoto,” Funakoshi’s pen name as a poet). Because the style became very popular in Japan and proceeded to spread throughout the world, Funakoshi is widely considered to be the “father of modern karate-do.”

According to teaching of Gichin Funakoshi, one must expand upon this concept of emptying the mind as it also refers to the emptying of harmful intentions as well. This requires a spirit of humility. It is for these reasons that Gichin Funakoshi changed the character of kara in the word karate, from the meaning of "China" to the meaning of "empty." So the translation of karate to mean "empty hand" implies not only a lack of weapons but an emptying of the mind as well.

Famous Masters of Karate and styles

Shotokan was the name given to Master Gichin Funakoshi's method. Shotokan was the name of the first official dojo built by Gichin Funakoshi in 1936. Shotokan (松濤館 Shotokan) is a style of karate, developed from various martial arts by Gichin Funakoshi (1868–1957) and his son Gigo (Yoshitaka) Funakoshi (1906–1945). Descendant schools of Shotokan style are: Wado-ruy, Shotokai, Chito-ryu, Shindo jinen-ryu, Yoseikan Karate, Kyokushin, etc.

Gichin Funakoshi was the father of JKA and Shotokan style. Master Funakoshi passed away in 1957 and, his chosen successor, Master Masatoshi Nakayama became Chief Instructor of the 日本空手協会とは Japan Karate Association (JKA).

Shorei- ryu (昭霊流) is a term which refers to the Naha-Te style of Okinawan karate. Shorei Ryu means "the style of inspiration". It is believed that the term Shorei is derived from the Shoreiji Temple in southern China. The teachings of this temple provided the basis for the Naha-Te style. The Shorei Ryu system was influenced in its early development by Shuri-Te. Kanryo Higashionna originally studied Shuri-Te with Master Sokon Matsumura but he later traveled to China and studied kempo there. Shorei Ryu has two major styles today. One style is called Goju Ryu and was founded by Master Chojun Miyagi (1888–1953) and the other is called Uechi Ryu, founded by Master Kanbun Uechi (1877–1948).

Shorin-ryū (小林琉) is one of the major modern Okinawan martial arts and is one of the oldest styles of karate. It was named by Master Choshin Chibana (1885 –1969) in 1933, but the system itself is much older. "Shorin" means pine tree. "Ryu" means "school". Shorin-ryu combines elements of the traditional Okinawan fighting styles of Shuri-te. Master Chosin Chibana was a top student of the great master of shuri-te, Anko Itosu.

Goju ryu meaning 'hard-soft' style) was Master Chojun Miyagi's choice. Goju-ryu (剛柔流), (Japanese for "hard-soft style") is one of the main traditional Okinawan styles of karate, featuring a combination of hard and soft techniques. Chojun Miyagi (1888—1953) was an Okinawan martial artist who founded the Goju-ryu school of karate by blending Okinawan and Chinese influences. He introduced karate into Okinawa police work, high schools and other fields of society. Gogen Yamaguchi (1909 - 1989), was a Japanese martial artist and student of Goju-ryu Karate under Chojun Miyagi. He was one of the most well-known Karate-do masters from Japan and he founded the International Karate-do Goju Kai Association.

Wado-ryu, another well-known karate style was developed and later named by one of Gichin Funakoshi's students, Hironori Ohtsuka. Master Hironori Otsuka (1892 –1982) was a Japanese master of karate who created the Wado-ryu style of karate. He was the first Grand Master of Wado-ryu karate, and received high awards within Japan for his contributions to karate. In 1922, Otsuka began training in Shotokan karate under Gichin Funakoshi. Otsuka was an assistant instructor in Funakoshi's school.

Shito-ryu was the name chosen by Master Kenwa Mabuni (1889 – 1952). He had studied under both Ankoh Itosu and Kanryo Higaonna in Okinawa and the name "Shi-to" is made up from Japanese characters for their names.

Kyokushinkai was formally founded in 1957 by Master Masutatsu Oyama (1923-1994). Kyokushin is largely a synthesis of Shotokan 松濤館流 and Goju-ryu 剛柔流. It teaches a curriculum that emphasizes aliveness, physical toughness, and full contact sparring. Because of its emphasis on physical, full-force sparring, Kyokushin is now often called "full contact karate" or "Knockdown karate" (after the name for its competition rules). The current World Headquarters were officially opened in June 1964, where the name Kyokushin, meaning "Ultimate truth" was adopted. In the same year the International Karate Organization (IKO) was established.

Isshin-ryu is a style of Okinawan karate founded by Master Tatsuo Shimabuku (島袋龍夫1908 –1975) and named by him on 15 January 1956. Isshin-Ryu karate is largely a synthesis of Shorin-ryu karate, Goju-ryu karate, and kobudo. The name means, literally, "one heart way" (as in "wholehearted" or "complete"). In 1989 there were 336 branches of Isshin-ryu throughout the world (as recorded by the IWKA), most of which were concentrated in the United States.

Senior great Masters of Karate

Master Anko Itosu (糸洲安恒 Okinawan: 1831 –1915) is considered by many the father of modern karate, although this title is also often given to Gichin Funakoshi because the latter spread karate throughout Japan. He was pupil of Master Sokon Matsumura. His famous students are: Choyu Motobu, Choki Motobu, Kentsu Yabu, Chomo Hanashiro, Gichin Funakoshi, Moden Yabiku, Kanken Toyama, Shinpan Gusukuma (Shiroma), Anbun Tokuda, Kenwa Mabuni, Choshin Chibana, Chojun Miyagi,etc

Master Gichin Funakoshi, the founder of Shotokan karate. Funakoshi appears to be the source of most of the information available on Asato. Many articles contain information about Asato, but the relevant parts are clearly based on Funakoshi's descriptions of him. It was only in 1915 that karate was introduced to mainland Japan after a demonstration was given for the Emperor by one of the top Okinawan karate Masters, master Gichin Funakoshi (father of modern karate). He began as weak, sick, and in poor health, his parents brought him to Yasutsune Itosu (portrait) for his Karate training together with Yasutsune Azato (Azato is considered by many the reason Gichin Funakoshi developed such a disciplined mind and Karate Technique). Between his doctor, Tokashiki, who prescribed herbal remedies that would strengthen him, coupled with Azato's and Itosu's good instruction, Gichin Funakoshi soon blossomed. He became a good student with Arakaki and Sokon "Bushi" Matsumura (portrait) as his other teachers, he developed expertise and a highly disciplined mind. Master Gichin Funakoshi recounts this part in a different way, while living with his grandparents he started attending primary school where he was classmate of Azato's son and received his first Karate instruction from Yasutsune (Ankoh) Azato.

Master Motobu Choyu (1857-1928) was an Okinawan karate master and elder brother of karateka Motobu Choki. Motobu Choyu was born in Akahira village in Shuri, Okinawa. His father, Anji (Lord) Motobu Chōshin was a descendent of Prince Shō Kōshin (1655-1687), the sixth son of Okinawan King Sho Shitsu (1629-1668).

Master Motobu Choki (1870-1944) was a Okinawan karate master from Akahira Village in Shuri, Okinawa, capital of the Ryukyu Kingdom when he was born. His elder brother Motobu Choyū was also a noted karateka. His father, Lord Motobu Choshin (Motobu Aji Chosin) was a descendant of the sixth son of the Okinawan King, Sho Shitsu (1629–1668), namely Sho Koshin, also known as Prince Motobu Chohei (1655–1687). He began practicing karate under Matsumura Sokon and continued under Anko Itosu, Sakuma Pechin and Kosaku Matsumora. Motobu-ryu is a school of karate founded by Choki Motobu in 1922.

Master Higaonna Kanryo (1853 –1915), also known as Higashionna West, was a Ryukyuan martial artist who founded a fighting style known at the time as Naha-te.

Master Kentsu Yabu (1866 –1937) was a prominent teacher of Shorin-ryū karate in Okinawa from the 1910s until the 1930s, and was among the first people to demonstrate karate in Hawaii. As a former soldier, Yabu has been credited with helping make Okinawan karate training more militaristic.

Master Chomo Hanashiro (Okinawan: Hanagusuku Chomu) (1869–1945) was an Okinawan martial arts master who is notable for aiding in the evolution of Shorin-ryu karate.

Master Chotoku Kyan (1870–1945) was an Okinawan karate master who was famous for both his karate skills and his colorful personal life. He had a large influence on the styles of karate that would become Shorin-Ryu and its related styles.

Master Choshin Chibana (1885 –1969) was an Okinawan martial artist who developed Shorin-ryū karate based on what he had learned from Anko Itosu. Shorin-ryū (小林琉) as in the Shaolin Temple of China. "Ryu" means "style". Shorin-ryū, is one of the major modern Okinawan martial arts and is one of the oldest styles of karate. It was named by Choshin Chibana in 1933, but the system itself is much older. "Shorin" means pine tree. "Ryu" means "school". Shorin-ryū combines elements of the traditional Okinawan fighting styles of Shuri-te.

Master Chojun Miyagi (1888—1953) was an Okinawan martial artist who founded the Goju-ryu school of karate by blending Okinawan and Chinese influences. He introduced karate into Okinawa police work, high schools and other fields of society.

Master Kanken Toyama (1888 –1966) was a Japanese schoolteacher and karate master, who developed the foundation for the Shudokan karate style.

Master Shinpan Gusukuma (1890–1954), also known as Shinpan Shiroma by the Japanese, was an Okinawan martial artist who studied Shorin-ryu karate as a student of Anko Itosu.

Master Gigo Funakoshi or Funakoshi Yoshitaka (1906-1945) was the third son of Gichin Funakoshi (船越義珍) (the founder of Shotokan 松濤館流 karate) and is widely credited with developing the foundation of the modern karate Shotokan style.

Master Gogen Yamaguchi (1909 - 1989), was a Japanese martial artist and student of Goju-ryu Karate under Chojun Miyagi. He was one of the most well-known Karate-domasters from Japan and he founded the International Karate-do Goju Kai Association. Prior to his death, Yamaguchi was decorated by the Emperor of Japan in 1968 with the Ranju-Hosho, らんじゅほうしょう(藍綬褒章), the Blue Ribbon Medal of the fifth order of merit, for his enormous contribution to the spread world wide of the Japanese martial arts. For many years he was listed in the Guinness Book of Records regarding his rank and achievements. He was also famously known in the world of karate-dō as ‘the Cat’.

Master Masatoshi Nakayama 中山 正敏　初代首席師範 was the Chief Instructor of the JKA from 1955 until his death on April 15, 1987. He carries on the tradition of his teacher, Gichin Funakoshl, the Father of Modern Karate. Long professor and director of physical education at Takushoku University, his alma mater (1937), he was chief instructor of the Japan Karate Association from 1955 until his death in 1987. He was the most famous chief instructor of the Japan Karate Association. Master Masatoshi Nakayama is my (Karate Myint Kywe) teacher in 1980.

船越義珍　最高首席師範 Master Gichin Funakoshi

船越 義珍　最高首席師範 Master Gichin Funakoshi (1868 –1957), founder of

松濤館流空手 Shotokan karate, is generally credited with having introduced and popularized karate on the main islands of Japan. Shotokan Karate is one of the oldest and most popular styles of Karate. He was the creator of Shotokan karate, perhaps the most widely known style of karate, and is referred to as the ‘Father of modern karate.’ In addition many Okinawans were actively teaching, and are thus also responsible for the development of karate on the main islands. Funakoshi was a student of both Master Asato Anko and Master Itosu Anko.

House of Pine Waves

The word Shotokan is composed of three kanji characters in Japanese. Pine Waves is supposed to mean "the sound that pine trees make when the wind blows through their needles." Some people also translate this to mean the waves that pine trees seem to make visually when bending in the wind. Master Funakoshi signed his works of calligraphy with the pen name Shoto. That is where the first part of the name of this type of karate came from. The word kan means building. The name Shotokan comes from the world's first karate dojo, which was constructed in 1939 by Funakoshi's students. They placed a plaque over the door that said "Shotokan", or "The Hall of Pine Waves", in honor of Funakoshi. This first dojo was completely destroyed in an American bombing raid on Japan in 1945.

Funakoshi Gichin was born on Nov 10, 1868 in Yamakawa, Shuri, Okinawa Prefecture. He was of samurai lineage, from a family which in former times had been vassals of Ryukyu Dynasty nobles.

By age 11 he had already made a name for himself in Ryukyu-style martial arts. Beginning his training under Master Asato Anko, it wasn’t long before he equaled his master in ability, and shared with him the distinction of being the “most accomplished” martial artist in the field. He also learned karate-jutsu (written with characters that mean “Chinese-hand martial art”) from Master Itosu Anko. Both his teachers were impressed by his nobility of character.

As over the years he pursued his training and continuously developed his remarkable skills, Master Funakoshi became chairman of the Okinawa Martial Arts Society, as well as an instructor at the Okinawa Teacher’s School.

In 1922 he introduced Okinawan karate-jutsu at the first Ministry of Education (now Ministry of Education, Science, Sports, and Culture)-sponsored Physical Education Exhibition. This introduction, the first ever public display of karate-jutsu in Japan, was a stunning success. And the previously unknown martial artist Funakoshi Gichin rose to instant fame throughout the Japanese world of martial arts.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkZTzWIy7-Y

Around the same time, with the encouragement of his teacher of Buddhism, Abbot Furukawa Gyodo of Engakuji Temple in Kamakura, Master Funakoshi started practicing Zen Buddhism. Furukawa Gyodo (1872-1961) was born in Shimane Prefecture. He trained under a variety of Zen masters, including Shaku Soen and Nantembo. Gyodo became Soen's Dharma heir (successor / inheritor) and eventually succeeded his master as abbot of Engaku-ji in Kamakura.

Master Funakoshi contemplated the well-known Buddhist teaching that says “form is emptiness and emptiness is form.” He began to see the relevance of that teaching to his martial art, and ultimately changed the characters for karate from kara + te (“Chinese” + “hand”) to kara + te (“empty” + “hand”).

Then, in order to popularize the “local” Okinawan martial art in the rest of Japan, Master Funakoshi synthesized a complete system of techniques and theory, and changed the Chinese and Okinawan names of the kata into standard Japanese. In 1929, after much thought and reflection, he also changed the name of karate-jutsu (“Chinese-hand martial art”) to karate-do (“the way of karate,” or “the way of the empty hand”). He then defined the Twenty Precepts of Karate, and established a grand karate philosophy.

At last the way of karate had come into its own, and was gaining popularity all across Japan. The number of people wishing to begin training was growing daily—so much so that it became difficult to find a place for them to practice. So in 1939 Master Funakoshi established the “Shotokan” dojo, which he built at his own expense. (“Shoto” was the literary first name he used when doing calligraphy and writing poetry. “Shoto” means “Pine Waves,” and refers to the sound of wind blowing through the pines, which resembles the sound of ocean waves.)

By this time, Master Funakoshi had long been teaching karate to high-school and university students. As a result, karate clubs had sprung up at higher education institutions all over Japan—which is another reason why karate has become as respected as it is today. In the air raids (attack in which bombs are dropped from aircraft) of World War II, the Shotokan dojo was destroyed, and the growth of karate came to a halt. But after the war, followers of Funakoshi’s way re-grouped, and in 1949 they formed the (日本空手協会とは) Japan Karate Association, with Funakoshi Gichin as Supreme Master.

Memorial for Funakoshi at Engaku-ji temple in Kamakura, south of Tokyo

A memorial to Gichin Funakoshi was erected by the Shotokai at Engaku-ji, a temple in Kamakura, on December 1, 1968. Designed by Kenji Ogata the monument features calligraphy by Funakoshi and Sogen Asahina (朝比奈宗源) (1891–1979), chief priest of the temple which reads空手に先手なし Karate ni sente nashi (There is no first attack in karate), the second of Funakoshi’s Twenty Precepts. To the right of Funakoshi’s precept is a copy of the poem he wrote on his way to Japan in 1922. Sogen Asahina was an influential Japanese Rinzai zen Buddhist master. He was also a prolific writer (intellectual and creative writer) and a calligrapher.

A second stone features an inscription by Nobuhide Ohama and reads:

”Funakoshi Gichin Sensei, of karate-do, was born on November 10, 1868 in Shuri Okinawa. From about eleven years old he began to study to-te jutsu under Azato Anko and Itosu Anko. He practiced diligently and in 1912 became the president of the Okinawan Shobukai. In May 1922, he relocated to Tokyo and became a professional teacher of karate-do. He devoted his entire life to the development of karate-do. He lived out his eighty-eight years of life and left this world on April 26, 1957.

Re-interpreting to-te jutsu, the Sensei promulgated karate-do while not losing its original philosophy. Like bugei (classical martial arts), so too is the pinnacle of karate “mu” (enlightenment): to purify and make one empty through the transformation from “jutsu” to “do”. Through his famous words "空手に先手なし" (karate ni sente nashi) meaning There is no first attack in Karate and 空手は君子の武芸 (karate wa kunshi no bugei) meaning Karate is the martial art of intelligent people, Sensei helped us to better understand the term “jutsu.” In an effort to commemorate his virtue and great contributions to modern karate-do as a pioneer, we, his loyal students, organised the Shotokai and erected this monument at the Enkakuji. “Kenzen ichi” (“The fist and Zen are one”)”.

On April 10, 1957, the Ministry of Education gave official recognition to the JKA, and it became a legal entity. A mere sixteen days later, at the age of 89, Master Funakoshi passed away in 1957 and, his chosen successor, Masatoshi Nakayama became Chief Instructor of the Japan Karate Association (JKA) 日本空手協会とは.

Masters of karate in Tokyo (about 1930s)
Kanken Toyama, Hironori Ohtsuka, Takeshi Shimoda, Gichin Funakoshi, Motobu Chōki, Kenwa Mabuni, Genwa Nakasone, and Shinken Taira (from left to right)

The Twenty PRECEPTS of Funakoshi Gichin

Sensei Funakoshi wrote the Niju Kun (Twenty Precepts) to help karate students transform their art into a way of life. Each line contains superficial meaning as well as deeper truth that could take a lifetime to fully understand. The original Japanese text is terse and meant to be thought provoking. Accordingly, English translations vary with individual interpretation. Below is a synthesis of a number of these interpretations.

1. Karate-do begins with courtesy and ends with bow.

2. There is no first attack in karate.

3. Karate is an aid to justice.

4. First know (control) yourself before attempting to know (control) others.

5. Spirit is more important than technique.

6. Always be ready to release your mind.

7. Misfortunes arise out of negligence (laziness).

8. Do not think that karate training is only in the dojo.

9. It will take your entire life to learn karate, there is no limit.

10. Put your everyday living into karate and you will find "Myo" (subtle secrets).

11. Karate is like boiling water, if you do not heat it constantly, it will cool.

12. Do not think that you have to win, think rather that you do not have to lose.

13. Victory depends on your ability to distinguish vulnerable points from invulnerable ones.

14. The secret of combat resides in the art of directing it (clever fighting, trying every strategy).

15. Think of the hands and feet as swords.

16. When you leave home, think that you have numerous opponents waiting for you.

17. Beginners must master low stance and posture, natural body positions are for the advanced.

18. Practicing a kata exactly is one thing, engaging in a real fight is another.

19. Do not forget to correctly apply: strength and weakness of power, stretching and contraction of the body, and slowness and speed of techniques.

20. Always think and devise ways to live the precepts of karate-do every day.

Funakoshi had trained in two of the popular branches of Okinawan karate of the time, Shorin-ryu and Shorei-ryu. In Japan he was influenced by kendo, incorporating some ideas about distancing and timing into his style. He always referred to what he taught as simply karate, but in 1936 he built a dojo in Tokyo and the style he left behind is usually called Shotokan after this dojo.

The modernization and systemization of karate in Japan also included the adoption of the white uniform that consisted of the kimono and the dogi or keikogi—mostly called just karategi—and colored belt ranks. Both of these innovations were originated and popularized by Dr. Jigoro Kano, the founder of judo and one of the men Funakoshi consulted in his efforts to modernize karate.

Dr. Jigoro Kano was a famous educator and the father of JUDO modern sports in Japan. He was the founder of judo. He was born in Mikage (now part of Kobe City). His ancestors include many illustrious Shinto priests, Buddhist masters, and Confucian scholars. Dr. Jigoro Kano (1860 –1938) (founder of Judo), Gichin Funakoshi (1868 –1957), (founder of Karate), Morihei Ueshiba (1883 –1969) (founder of Aikido) are FAMOUS GREATEST MASTERS of martial arts in JAPAN.

Karate can be practiced as budo, as a sport or as a combat sport, or as self- defense training. Karate training is commonly divided into kihon (basics or fundamentals), kata (forms), and kumite (sparring).

Famous students of Master Gichin Funakoshi

Hironori Ōtsuka 先生

Gigō Funakoshi 先生

Isao Obata 先生

Shigeru Egami 先生

Masatoshi Nakayama 先生

Tetsuhiko Asai 先生

Yasuhiro Konishi 先生

Hidetaka Nishiyama 先生

Tsutomu Ohshima 先生

Taiji Kase 先生

Mitsusuke Harada 先生

Hirokazu Kanazawa 先生

Teruyuki Okazaki 先生

Won Kuk Lee 이원국 先生

Choi Hong Hi 최홍희 先生

Matsutasu Oyama 先生

http://www.masutatsuoyama.com/masoyama.htm

(Above list of students is maybe incomplete. Other famous students might be left in the list above. I apology if I can't mention all students of Japanese Karate completely.)

Master Masatoshi Nakayama

中山 正敏　初代首席師範 Master Masatoshi Nakayama was the Chief Instructor of the JKA from 1955 until his death on April 15, 1987. Nakayama was born on April 13, 1913, in the Yamaguchi prefecture of Japan. His pedigree came from samurai clans. Master Nakayama is known today as the most famous student to have trained directly under Master Gichin Funakoshi.

MASATOSHI NAKAYAMA carries on the tradition of his teacher, Gichin Funakoshl, the Father of Modern Karate. Long professor and director of physical education at Takushoku University, his alma mater (1937), he was chief instructor of the Japan Karate Association from 1955 until his death in 1987. A ninth degree black belt and a familiar face at tournaments, he was among the first to send instructors overseas and to encourage the development of karate along scientific lines. He was the first master in Shotokan history to attain the rank of 9th dan while alive, and was posthumously (after he died) awarded the rank of 10th dan. With his passing the world of Shotokan lost one of its few remaining direct links to the Founder, and Father of Shotokan Karate, Sensei Gichin Funakoshi.

Masatoshi Nakayama

Master Nakayama worked to spread Shotokan karate around the world. Nakayama Shihan was a pioneer introducing systematic and scientific training to Shotokan karate and, in 1966 his book "Dynamic Karate" was published. This book was followed in 1977 by "Best Karate", a series of eleven books, explaining karate-do in language made as simple as possible, revising his earlier writings.

These publications remain to this day, valuable training manuals for every Shotokan karateka wishing to understand the ‘mechanics' of karate. Nakayama has also been credited for the development of new techniques - the "Ushiro-geri" (back kick) and the circular kick "Gyaku-Mawashi-geri".

Master Masutatsu Oyama (1923–1994) surely studied not only 剛柔流 GOJURYU karate but also 松濤館流 SHOTOKAN karate. In 1938, at the age of fifteen years old, Mas Oyama became a student of 船越義珍 最高首席師範 Gichin Funakoshi, founder of Shotokan Karate and father of JKA, at the Takushoku University.

Sosai Masutatsu Oyama (大山倍達), was a very famous karate master who founded 極真 Kyokushin Karate, considered the first and most influential style of full contact karate. Oyama contacted the Shotokan dojo (Karate school) operated by Gigō Funakoshi, son of karate master and studied Shotokan karate from Gichin Funakoshi.

Funakoshi Gichin, a school teacher from Okinawa, was credited with introducing karate from Okinawa to Tokyo, Japan. It is this master that Mas Oyama later would refer to as his true karate teacher. Throughout the years Oyama always spoke highly of Funakoshi, remarking in later recollections of his gentle yet overwhelming presence. Mas Oyama went on to say that of the many things he learned from Funakoshi, kata (formal exercises) was the most important. Mas Oyama's training progressed so rapidly that by the age of 17, he was a Nidan 二段 (2nd Dan), and by the age of 20, he was a Yondan 四段 (4th Dan) in Shotokan 松濤館流.

Master Hirokazu Kanazawa 金澤弘和 (1931) is a world-renowned Japanese master of Shotokan karate. Shihan Hirokazu Kanazawa is one of the best known and most widely respected Shotokan karate Masters in the world today. He is the Chief instructor and President of the Shotokan Karate-Do International Federation, an organisation he founded after he left the Japan Karate Association (JKA). Kanazawa is ranked 10th dan in karate. He helped to establish the Japan Karate Association.

Master Hidetaka Nishiyama 西山英峻 (1928 –2008) was a prominent Japanese master of Shotokan karate. He was an internationally recognized instructor, author, and administrator, and helped to establish the Japan Karate Association.

(Above list of masters is maybe incomplete. Other famous pioneers and masters might be left in the list above. I apology if I can't mention all masters and pioneers of Japanese Karate completely.)

Master Tsutomu Ohshima (大島劼 born 1930) is a prominent Japanese master of Shotokan karate who founded the Shotokan Karate of America (SKA) organization. He is the Shihan (Chief Instructor) of the SKA, and to this day holds the rank of 5th dan in karate, which was awarded to him by Gichin Funakoshi.

Famous students of Master Masatoshi Nakayama

Teruyuki Okazaki 先生

Hirokazu Kanazawa 先生

Tetsuhiko Asai 先生

Takayuki Mikami 先生

Keinosuke Enoeda 先生

Keigo Abe 先生

Masaaki Ueki 先生

Yoshiharu Osaka 先生

Masahiko Tanaka 先生

Takenori Imura 先生

Toshihiro Mori 先生

(Above list of students is maybe incomplete. Other famous students might be left in the list above. I apology if I can't mention all students of Japanese Karate completely.)

What is Karate?

Basic ethical principles of Soshiki Karate

Karate is now mainly a martial art using punching, kicking, knee strikes, elbow strikes and open hand techniques such as knife-hands, spear-hands, and palm-heel strikes. Historically and in some modern styles grappling, throws, joint locks, restraints, and vital point strikes are also taught. Karate can be practiced by every age, everybody, boys and girls.

A karate practitioner is called a “karateka”.

Karate techniques also consist of entering and turning movements that redirect the momentum of an opponent's attack, and a throw or joint lock that terminates the technique. Real karate is not only just a study a sport and self-defence, but also humility, patience, mutual respect, mutual sympathy, forgiving one another, self- control, self- confidence, strength of character, kindness, compassion, courtesy, courage and self- discipline should always be before Karate self-defence.

Courtesy is as much the mark of a gentleman as truthfulness and courage, and every karate practitioner should be a gentleperson.

Forgiveness is the best part of human nature.

Patience is a virtue.

Humility is one of the most familiar and widely esteemed of human virtues.

Courage is the one of the most important virtue.

(He/she who would study Karate-do must always strive to be inwardly humble and outwardly gentle. However, once he/she has decided to stand up for the cause of justice, then he/she must have the courage expressed in the saying, "Even if it must be ten million foes, I go!" Thus, he/she is like the green bamboo stalk: hollow (kara) inside, straight, and with knots, that is, unselfish, gentle, and moderate. This meaning is also contained in the element 空 kara of 空手 Karate).

I believe that each of everyone has ups and downs, happy and sorry, wins and lost, love and hate in their lives. You practice how to be honest to yourself and to be honest to others. You study how to be humble to yourself and to be humble to others. How to reduce hatred and how to stop the hatred? How to reduce anger quickly? How to control your mind? How to stop arrogance? How to stop belligerence?

The essence of karate is to be humble and not to be arrogant….

The essence of karate is to be humble and not to be belligerent ….

Everyone must learn Karate righteously and honestly.

Love is better than fighting, tolerance is better than fighting, forgiveness is better than fighting, but fighting (counter attack) is better than surrender.

But Karate practitioners should be non-belligerent. If a belligerent person uses his Karate, his Karate is NOTHING. If someone uses his Karate for insulting, bullying, and arrogance, his Karate is NOTHING.

The right of self-defense (also called, when it applies to the defense of another, alter ego defense, defense of others, defense of a third person) is the right for persons to use reasonable force or defensive force, for the purpose of defending one's own life or the lives of others, including, in certain circumstances, the use of deadly force. You can hate (fight back) to your enemies if you cannot forgive them, BUT you don't use your counter attack deadly force on him/ them. You don't destroy their lives.

You want to protect yourself in cases like these. It's only natural. But you should know about the legal limits on self-defense.

The laws on self-defense vary from one event to another event, but in general you're allowed to use reasonable physical force to protect yourself from imminent or immediate physical injury. You can only use that amount of force that's necessary to stop the threat of harm. You do NOT use deadly force.

"I was born in 1960. Now I am 55 years old in 2015. I have been practicing Shotokan karate since 1970. I have been teaching karate since 1978. I am the chief instructor of Soshiki karate Club (松濤館流) since 1978. I have teaching experience 37 years in karate. I have had experience 45 years in karate.

All my pupils always call me "Master". However, I am always a senior student in karate.

Karate will always be an important part of my life. "

Good etiquette (polite behaviour) should make for good karate. It should do an important part in our everyday life.

Good courtesy (act of showing polite, respect and regard for others) should make for good karate. It should do an important part in our everyday life.

Good manners (polite social behavior) should make for good karate. It should do an important part in our everyday life.

By practicing only “Kata” in Karate is NOT complete.
Conversely, by practicing only “Kumite” in Karate is NOT also complete.

Kihon, Kumite and Kata are useless without use of Kime. Kime (focus) is defined as an explosive attack that focuses all of the body's energy at the moment of impact, creating the fastest and strongest technique possible.

We all karate practitioners should not be poisoned by the seven poisons such as: greed, anger, hatred, stupidity, conceit, jealousy and malice. We must do to cultivate the power of courage by strengthening our mind and body and overcoming any difficulties in our life.

True karate is this: that in daily life one's mind and body be trained and developed in a spirit of humility, and that in critical times, one be stand up in the truth to the cause of justice.

We should refrain from bullying to others.

We should refrain from boastfulness and arrogance.

We should refrain from cowardly action.

We should be courageous (be BRAVE).

We must stand for truth and righteousness.

We should be standing in the truth.

We should be humble.

We should be cool and calm.

We should be tolerant.

We should always look on the bright side based on optimistic outlook and sympathy.

We must always maintain respect to others.

References

Funakoshi, Gichin (1922). To-te Ryukyu Kenpō (唐手: 琉球拳法).

Funakoshi, Gichin (1925). Karate Jutsu (唐手術).

Funakoshi, Gichin (1935). Karate-Do Kyohan (空手道教範).

Funakoshi, Gichin (1973). Karate-Do Kyohan: The Master Text, translated by Tsutomu Ohshima. Tokyo: Kodansha International.

Funakoshi, Gichin (1975). The Twenty Guiding Principles of Karate: The Spiritual Legacy of the Master, translated by John Teramoto. Tokyo: Kodansha International.

http://jka.or.jp/en/about/funakoshi.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkZTzWIy7-Y

https://books.google.com.au/books?id=1Ze0-x2ROuQC&pg=PT50&lpg=PT50&dq=Re-interpreting+to-te+jutsu&source=bl&ots=7o_INqC-R5&sig=et4jzUjya4SBvaYPL_0860qVqUw&hl=en&sa=X&ei=IRoSVaGZEIT28QXy4oKIDg&ved=0CCMQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=Re-interpreting%20to-te%20jutsu&f=false

http://www.jka.or.jp/j-what/j_person/person02.html

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