Founder of the Shotokan Karate Gichin Funakoshi

    Gichin Funakoshi (1868–1957) was a Japanese martial artist and the founder of modern Karate-Do. He is widely credited with popularizing Karate in mainland Japan and laying the foundation for its global spread.

    Early Life and Training

    Funakoshi was born in 1868 in Shuri, Okinawa, into a family of scholars. His grandfather had served as a tutor to the daughters of the village governor, affording the family some social status. However, his father was a heavy drinker who squandered much of the family's wealth, leaving Funakoshi to grow up in modest circumstances.

    As a sickly and weak child, Funakoshi's health improved after he began practicing Karate in primary school. He tr
ained under Yasutsune Azato, a distinguished Karate master who had served as a military chief for the king of the Ryukyu Islands. Azato and his close friend Yasutsune Itosu became Funakoshi's primary instructors, teaching him the art of '''Shuri-te Karate'''. Funakoshi also briefly studied under Sokon Matsumura, the founder of Shuri-te.

    Teaching Career and Expansion of Karate

    In 1888, at the age of 21, Funakoshi began working as an assistant schoolteacher. Around this time, he also married a woman who was skilled in Karate and encouraged his training. In 1901, Karate was legalized in Okinawa and became a mandatory part of middle school education. With the approval of his teachers, Funakoshi formally began instructing students at the age of 33.

    In May 1922, Funakoshi was invited to demonstrate Karate at the first '''All Japan Athletic Exhibition''' in Tokyo, organized by the Ministry of Education. The demonstration was well received, and Japanese martial artists, including Judo founder Jigoro Kano, persuaded him to stay and teach Karate in Japan. Initially planning to return to Okinawa, Funakoshi remained in Tokyo and established himself as the foremost Karate instructor in Japan.

 

    Development of Shotokan Karate

    Funakoshi is credited with standardizing the term '''Karate''' ("empty hand") instead of the earlier notation meaning "Chinese hand." This change emphasized Karate's evolution into a unique Japanese martial art. His first book, ''Ryukyu Kempo: Karate'', published in 1922, exclusively used the "empty hand" characters, which later gained universal acceptance.

    In 1936, at the age of 68, Funakoshi established the first freestanding Karate dojo, which he named '''Shotokan''' (meaning "House of Shoto," after his pen name for poetry).

    Funakoshi's teaching focused primarily on kata (pre-arranged forms), emphasizing that mastering kata was essential before engaging in kumite (sparring). He introduced 15 kata drawn from various styles and developed additional ones himself. He also incorporated elements of traditional Japanese martial arts philosophy into Karate, promoting it as a means of self-discipline and character development rather than mere combat.

    Impact and Legacy

    During World War II, Funakoshi's dojo was destroyed by Allied bombings, and his third son, Gigo, who was meant to inherit his teachings, died of tuberculosis in 1945. After the war, despite the prohibition on martial arts training by occupying forces, Funakoshi resumed teaching Karate, which was classified as physical education rather than a martial art. His instruction soon attracted American servicemen, leading to Karate's international spread.

    In 1953, Funakoshi began sending students to the United States to promote Karate, including Masatoshi Nakayama, Hidetaka Nishiyama, and Tsutomu Ohshima. In 1955, he helped organize the '''Japan Karate Association''' (JKA), one of the first international martial arts organizations.

    Funakoshi passed away in 1957 at the age of 88. He left behind a legacy of Karate as a means of self-improvement and discipline, rather than mere combat. His teachings influenced not only Shotokan Karate but also numerous other styles worldwide. His philosophy emphasized etiquette, humility, and self-perfection over competition.

    Philosophy and Contributions

    Funakoshi believed in the spiritual and philosophical aspects of Karate, which he saw as a way of life ('''Karate-Do'''). He discouraged competitions and emphasized personal growth and ethical conduct. His most notable written works include ''Karate-Do Kyohan'' and ''Karate-Do: My Way of Life'', which continue to serve as foundational texts for Karate practitioners.

    He maintained that Karate should be open to everyone and not divided by styles. His students remembered him as a humble and kind teacher who, despite his deep knowledge and skill, never boasted of his abilities. His influence extended far beyond technique, shaping Karate into a discipline that cultivated both mind and body.

© The World Shotokan Karate-do Masters Union