The History

The History Shotokan Karatedo

Shotokan began under the patronage of an Okinawan master named Master Gichin Funakoshi on 18 September 1922. He started the style off by teaching it to students who paid for his lessons out of their pocket. Over time it became popular and sought after as a fighting style. In 1925, Master Funakoshi made his trip to teach the technique to a group of Americans who formed the ‘Negatoro-Shorin Ryu organization in 1926. This new school of Karate was later renamed Shotokan Karatedo at the end of that year in Osaka. Under Funakoshi’s guidance, one disciple named George Ohta began teaching parts of the style in America in 1932. In 1935 Ohta created the first American Shitoryu Karatedo group.

"The restoration of balance and harmony"

Shotokan Karate is an excellent, time-proven method of personal development

The Influence

Over the years, Funakoshi’s style of Shotokan became popular amongst many martial artists. Masters like Rashid Ahmad, a student of Funakoshi, taught the technique in India, another to his students named Noritaka Kinas, who taught in Malaysia, and to one of his other students named Gaku Homma, who taught in China. Then there was Yoshiji Soeno, who became an instructor for Japan’s Self-Defense Forces. In the 1950s, the next generation of Shotokan Kaoshu masters emerged, taking their cue from Funakoshi’s original teachings. One of these was Master Gichiro Ogasawara, also known as Master K. Kato, who published his books on Shotokan at the end of the 1960s. His student Masatoshi Nakayama came to be known as Master Tatsuo Suzuki, is also known for introducing techniques such as ‘Shuto’ and ‘Jodan Uke.’ Another student of Funakoshi was named Yoshiji Soeno, who began teaching for Japan’s Self-Defense Forces.

 

In the 1950s, the next generation of Shotokan Karatedo masters emerged, taking their cue from Funakoshi’s original teachings. One of these was Master Gichiro Ogasawara, also known as Master K. Kato, and for introducing techniques such as ‘Shuto’ and ‘Jodan Uke.’ Another student of Funakoshi was named Yoshiji Soeno, who began teaching for Japan’s Self-Defense Forces. This technique came to be known as ‘Tanto,’ or the finger flick. Master Soeno also introduced ‘Tekken’ (block and punch), which was to become a trademark of the style. Another student of Funakoshi was named Yoshiji Soeno, who began teaching for Japan’s Self-Defense Forces. This technique came to be known as ‘Tanto,’ or the finger flick. Master Soeno also introduced ‘Tekken’ (block and punch), which was to become a trademark of the style.

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The Future of Shotokan Karatedo

Karate is one of the most popular recreational and competitive activities in the United States. In 2004, more than three million people were practicing it. Over the past few years, Shotokan Karatedo has gained popularity since it is one of the most popular martial arts out there, along with Judo and Taekwondo. Nowadays, a lot of people want to learn it for recreational purposes as well as for self-defense. The fact that it is more accessible in terms of time and place compared to other martial arts makes it an excellent option for those who work regularly. Shotokan Karatedo is considered the best martial art in the past decades and the priority of current instructors. It usually focuses on achieving balance in all aspects of life, including health and personal development. In Shotokan, the objective is to develop the person’s mental and physical strength, not only relying on fighting skills.

"The restoration of balance and harmony"

The Goal

The main goal of Shotokan is to help people achieve self-realization in their own lives while simultaneously helping them achieve harmony and balance in their physical and mental health. Many clubs, associations, and international organizations of Karate in the United States offer instruction in Shotokan. The future of Shotokan will be promising if more people practice it and will continuously work on the objectives of this style. Shotokan Practitioners will develop their physical and mental strength to become great fighters.

In the long run, it will help them achieve their goal of becoming the best martial artists. Practitioners will be able to defend and protect themselves from other people. They can fight and defeat their opponents using all their strength, technique, and mental and spiritual power. In the future, Shotokan Karatedo will become an international sport. It will gain much popularity worldwide, especially in the United States. More participants and practitioners of this style will be in international tournaments and competitions. Also, the future of Shotokan karate will be determined by the number of people who practice it.


Shotokan Karatedo is a martial art that aims at helping practitioners achieve a balance in their lives and help them protect themselves from different attacks. The future of Shotokan will be promising if it receives more people and there will be lots of tournaments and competitions held worldwide. Practicing this martial art gives practitioners a chance to achieve many things in their lives and even the power to defend themselves.

What People Say

This is a great school! Not only do they teach how to use combat and self-defense skills, but they also teach what situation they should be used in. I’ve done a group class with some other moms and we all loved it. My son goes to the kid’s class every Thursday and he’s learning so much.

Saundra Simms