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Shotokan (松涛館) is a school of karate, reflecting the style of master Gichin Funakoshi (1868-1957), who first brought karate from Okinawa to mainland Japan. Shoto was Funakoshi's pen name for his poetry, while Shotokan was the name of the hall where "Shoto" trained his students. Funakoshi had trained in both of the popular styles of Okinawan Karate of the time: Shorei-ryu and Shorin-ryu. He combined and modified the styles, and made his own, though he never named it, always referring to it simply as "karate".Training is usually divided into three sections: kihon or "basics", kumite or "sparring", and kata. Shotokan techniques in kihon and kata are characterised by deep, long stances which provide stability and powerful movements. Strength and power are often demonstrated instead of slower, more flowing motions. The kumite techniques mirror these stances and movements at a basic level, but progress to be being more "free" and flexible at a higher level. Funakoshi is said to have found the traditional martial arts (such as sumo, jujutsu and kenjutsu) to be too focused on combat, and he put more emphasis on health, breathing, releasing energy and outstanding mind and body control.
Shotokan karate is today the most popular style of karate, and is practiced in hundreds of dojos around the world.
1 Shotokan kata
1.1 Elementary
- Heian: shodan, nidan, sandanShotokan Kata: Heian Sandan (Long Peace) Heian Sandan is the third in the series of five Heian katas. The origin of these ancient Heian katas is unknown, as they were taught secretly and never recorded. They are not fighting kata, but training kata. The n, yondanShotokan Kata: Heian Yondan (Long Peace) Heian Yondan is the fourth in the series of five Heian katas. The origin of these ancient Heian katas is unknown, as they were taught secretly and never recorded. They are not fighting kata, but training kata., godanShotokan Kata: Heian Godan (Long Peace) Heian Godan is the fifth in the series of five Heian katas. The origin of these ancient Heian katas is unknown, as they were taught secretly and never recorded. They are not fighting kata, but training kata. The nam
1.2 Intermediate
- Bassai: daiShotokan Kata: Bassai Dai (Penetrate the Fortress) The originator of this kata is unknown, but likely was of the Tomari-te school of Okinawa. It exhibits characteristics of the Tiger style. Bassai Dai is the major form of the kata. Power and dynamic count, shoShotokan Kata: Bassai Sho (Penetrate the Fortress) The originator of this dynamic and powerful kata is unknown, but likely was of the Tomari-te school of Okinawa. It exhibits characteristics of the Tiger style. Bassai Sho is considered to be the minor for
- Kanku: daiShotokan Kata: Kanku Dai (Gazing Heavenward) Kanku Dai is the major form of this kata and derives its name from the opening movement of gazing toward the sky. It consists of 65 movements executed in about 90 seconds, thus is the longest Shotokan kata., shoShotokan Kata: Kanku Sho (Gazing Heavenward) Kanku Sho is the minor form of this kata and derives its name from the opening movement of gazing toward the sky. The embusen of the kata is similar to that of Kanku Dai, but it begins differently. It is a comp
- Tekki: shodanShotokan Kata: Tekki Shodan (Iron Horseman) The three Tekki katas are much older than the Heian katas and have their roots in the Tiger style. They were Sensei Funakoshi's favourites. They are representative of old Karate, based entirely on lateral moveme, nidan, sandan
1.3 Advanced
