Shotokan Karate Demystified

What is shotokan karate demystified? If you have researched martial arts or karate, then you would have come across this style. Shotokan karate is one of the most ancient and influential styles of karate around the world. This style places a strong emphasis on kihon (basics), which concentrates on strong stances, punches, kicks, and blocks. Kumite (sparring) and kata (forms). Therefore , let’s take a closer look into its history and why Shotokan has been empowering karate practitioners around the world for generations.

THE MEANING BEHIND SHOTOKAN KARATE?

Karate was developed in Okinawa in the 17th century.  Japan occupied the island of Okinawa in 1609 and confiscated all weapons.  Kara means empty and te means hand, and Do means the way of. So when you piece them together you have Karate-Do which means the way of the empty hand. Empty hand refers to the fact that early martial artists were not able to not carry or use weapons because they were confiscated. Which meant that their training was designed to teach their bodies to became weapons.

The name Shotokan is actually made up of two words “Shoto” and “Kan”. “Shoto” means pine waves or waving pines and it is referred to as Gichin Funakoshi’s house name as he would use these names when writing. Also the word “Kan” means house or hall. The name for the style of martial arts came from his students as a way of honouring their sensei. They created a sign reading shōtō-kan, which they placed above the entrance of the hall where Funakoshi taught.

WHY IS IT SO POPULAR?

Shotokan Karate focuses on wide stances and linear techniques using your hands, elbows, knees and feet. In order to deliver strikes fast and with precision. The Shotokan philosophy focuses not only on the physically aspects, but also mentally and spiritually. Practicing Shotokan can give you many benefits like, 

1. Improving your stamina and endurance
2. Improving muscle strength and power  
3. Better body alignment (giving you better balance )
4. Increased focus  
5. Speed and agility in your movements
6. Helps building confidence and self discipline

HISTORY OF SHOTOKAN (Shotokan Karate Demystified)

Gichin Funakoshi was born in Okinawa in 1868, is classified as the founder of modern karate. He began his training at the age of eleven, was instructed by Anko Itosu and Yasutsune Azato. It has been well documented that at this time it was illegal to learn Okinawan martial arts, though that did not stop people including himself from practicing in secret.

In 1936, he founded his karate style called Shotokan which was further developed by Funakoshi’s son Yoshitaka and the first master of the Japan Karate Association, Masatoshi Nakayama. In honour of Funakoshi, his students created a signboard reading ‘Shotokan’ which was placed above the entrance hall where he taught at Mejiro. According to research the dojo was damaged in 1945 due to allied bombing. The word ‘shoto’ means pine-waves’ and the way they moved when the winds blew through them. This is shown in the movements of the body and deep, long stances that you practice in Shotokan Karate. 

THE SYMBOL OF SHOTOKAN KARATE (TIGER)

Gichin Funakoshi  published his first book called “Ryukyu Karate Kenpo” in 1922. It was also the first karate book ever published worldwide. The pictures in the book were drawn by Yamashiro Masatsuna.  While the front cover was designed and drawn by Kosugi Hoan showing the famous Shotokan Tiger.

It was written that the inspiration for the tiger came from the words “Tora no maki” . It symbolised an era when gichin funakoshi was a young boy and would spend times at Okinawa’s Mount Tarao and Tiger Tail mountain.  Where he would listen to the wind blowing through the pine trees, and stated in his book that it sounded like waves breaking on a shore.

A tiger symbol is meant to show strength, power and tenacity developed by training within this karate style. There is a chinese proverb that says “the tiger never sleeps but maintains a constantly keen alertness”.  While never proven it has been suggested that the tiger inside the circle shows that the tigers power, just like the power of shotokan. Karate should be never be used to create violence and only should be applied when absolutely necessary in self defence.

SHOTOKAN BELT COLOURS AND THEIR MEANINGS (Shotokan Karate Demystified)

Shotokan Karate follows a dedicated belt system to rank a student. Using a variety of colored belts to determine an individual’s skill level. With each grading, the colour of the belt becomes darker. Multiple generations believe in the theory of the white belt becoming dirty over time and turning black, representing a black belt.

Mentioned below is the belt ranking system in Shotokan

• WHITE BELT (9th Kyu)

  represents the beginning. When the seedling sprouts through the soil and into the sunlight.

• YELLOW BELT (8th Kyu)

  As the plant adjusts to the light, it deepens into the golden hue of sunlight.

• ORANGE BELT (7th Kyu)

  symbolises the growing strength of the sun. As the sun grows hot, life becomes more difficult for the little plant

• GREEN BELT (6th Kyu)

  representation of growth. The little plant has survived the hot sun and is now sending forth new growth. Green leaves and shoots are spreading out from the plant.

• PURPLE BELT (5th Kyu)

  The day is drawing to an end, the blue sky darkens to purple.

• PURPLE AND WHITE (4th Kyu)

• BROWN BELT (3rd Kyu)

  Means the ripening of a seed during the maturing and harvesting process. The seed is maturing and ripening as the harvest nears.

• BROWN BELT/1 STRIPE (2nd Kyu)
• BROWN BELT/ 2 STRIPES (1st Kyu)
• BLACK BELT (SHODAN 1st DAN)

STANCES OF SHOTOKAN (Shotokan Karate Demystified)

Shotokan karate like all martial arts follows very specific stance and movement when it comes to fighting techniques. There are 16 Shotokan Karate stances. I have listed all the stances below, with a brief description of each stance. 

1. Heisoku-dachi – This stance incorporates the feet. Both feet must be together and it is used when bowing.
2. Musubi-dachi – In this stance, the heels of the practitioner need be together but the feet should be turned out at 45 degrees. This stance is also used when bowing 
3. Heiko dachi – In the Heiko dachi stance, both feet are kept parallelly and it is used after bowing. 
4. Zenkutsu dachi –front stance with one foot forward with 70% weight on the front leg and 30% on the back leg, used in almost all Shotokan Karate katas. 
5. Kiba dachi – This stance mimics someone’s horse-riding and it is used while performing the various kata.
6. Kokustu dachi –back stance with 70% weight on the back leg and 30% on the front leg, used while performing katas.
7. Hangetsu dachi –half-moon stance which follows central weight distribution, 50% on the front leg and 50% on the back leg. 
8. Fudo dachi – an immovable stance that includes zenkutsu dachi, with the right leg in front.
9. Sanchin dachi – hourglass stance used in two Shotokan Karate kata, Nijushiho and Unsu.
10. Neko ashi dachi –cat stance is used in many kata’s, especially in Hangetsu.
11. Tsuru ashi dachi –crane foot stance used in kata, Jitte.
12. Sagi-ashi-dachi – heron leg stance used in kata Gankaku and Chinte. 
13. Kosa dachi – crossed legs stance used in kata Heian Yondan.
14. Migi ashi orishiku – right leg kneeling stance used in kata Enpi.
15. Renoji dachi – L shape stance with front and back foot making the letter L.
16. Teiji dachi – T shape stance with front and back foot making the letter T.

KICKS OF SHOTOKAN (Shotokan Karate Demystified)

Shotokan karate incorporates full body training methods. So by using a variety of kicks gives you more leverage not only keeping a would be attacker at a distance. But also allows you to apply some painful kicks in a self defence scenario. Some of the well known kicks in Shotokan Karate are:

1. Ashi Barai – Foot Sweep takes an opponent off guard by knocking them to the ground.
2. Fumikomi –Stomping Kick is used to targeting an opponent’s knee, thigh, or foot.
3. Gedan Mawashi Geri – Low Roundhouse Kick is useful in kicking an opponent off balance. 
4. Hiza Geri – Knee Strike targets the opponent’s knee.
5. Kakato Otoshi Geri – Axe Kick targets the shoulder bone of the opponent. 
6. Kansetsu Geri – Joint Kick is aimed at the side or back of the opponent’s knee. 
7. Kin Geri – Groin Kick is a standard self-defense kick in the groin area of the opponent. 
8. Mae Geri – Front Kick is also a self-defense kick aimed in the groin area.
9. Mikazuki Geri – Crescent Kick aims at the opponent’s head or collar bone. 
10. Uchi Mikazuki Geri – Inside Crescent Kick travels in a circular motion from the inside to the outside.
11. Otoshi Mawashi Geri – Downward Roundhouse Kick is angled downwards towards the target. 
12. Tatsumaki Senpuu Kyaku – Tornado Kick is a spinning roundhouse kick and is very powerful.

STRIKES OF SHOTOKAN

Some well known punches and hand strikes you will come across in Shotokan Karate are:

1. Age Zuki – Uppercut punch is a powerful technique used to strike against an opponent’s jaw.
2. Enpi – Elbow strike looks similar to an ape beating down its target.
3. Haishu Uchi – The backhand strike is a reverse slap.
4. Haito Uchi – Ridge hand strike is an open hand method in which the artist hits the opponent with the thumb side of their open hand.
5. Nihon Ken – Two-finger strike is a self-defense technique in which the artist uses two fingers to poke the opponent.
6. Kage Zuki – Hook punch is a controlled punch to block the opponent.
7. Nukite – Spear hand strike uses all the fingers except the thumb to target the soft spots of the opponent.
8. Tate Zuki – Vertical Punch positions the fist vertically while targeting the opponent.

KATAS (Shotokan Karate Demystified)

‘Kata’ is a Japanese word meaning ‘form’. Kata is a series of your techniques which are followed in all forms of karate to practice offensive and defensive techniques. When students go for their next belt exam, they are required to perform the kata with strong stances, confidence and powerful strikes. All while showing the warrior spirit. 

Shotokan Karate has 26 different katas, which I have been listed below. 

 

1. Heian Shodan (Meaning Peaceful Mind One) and has 21 moves

2. Heian Nidan (Meaning Peaceful Mind Two) and has 26 moves

3. Heian Sandan ( Meaning Peaceful Mind Three) and has 20 moves

4. Heian Yondan (Meaning Peaceful Mind Four) and had 27 moves

5. Heian Godan (Meaning Peaceful Mind Five Universe and has 23 moves

6. Tekki Shodan (Meaning Iron Horse One) and has 23 moves

7. Tekki Nidan (Meaning Iron Horse Two) and has 24 moves

8. Tekki Sandan (Meaning Iron Horse Three) and has 26 moves

9. Bassai Dai (Meaning Penetrating the Fortress-Big) and had 42 moves

10. Bassai Sho (Meaning Penetrating the Fortress-Small) and has 27 moves

11. Kanku Dai ( Meaning To Look At The Sky-Big) and has 65 moves

12. Kanku Sho (Meaning To Look At The Sky-Small) and has 48 moves

13. Enpi (Meaning Flying Swallow) and has 37 moves

14. Jion (Meaning Love And Goodness) and has 47 moves

15. Gankaku (Meaning Crane The Rock) and has 42 moves

16. Hangetsu (Meaning Half Moon) and has 41 moves

17. Jitte (Meaning Ten Hands) and has 24 moves

18. Chinte (Meaning Incredible Hands) and has 32 moves
19. Sochin (Meaning Preserve Peace) and has 41 moves
20. Meikyo (Meaning Mirror Of The Soul) and has 33 moves
21. Jiin (Meaning Named After The Saint) and has 38 moves

22. Gojushiho Dai ( Meaning 54 Steps-Big) and has 67 moves

23. Gojushiho Sho ( Meaning 54 Steps- Small) and has 65 moves

24. Nijushiho (Meaning 24 Steps) and has 24

25. Wankan ( Meaning Crown Of A King) and has 24 moves
26. Unsun (Meaning Cloud Hands) and has 48 moves

BUNKAI

Bunkai can be described as a disassembly of each elements of each kata. Let’s say an instructor begins to teach a new kata to his students, he will probably break down the kata into smaller portions making it easy to understand both the offensive and defensive elements. This is an improvement skill for practitioners to learn as they can start to use their own interpretation and application of kata.

CAN SHOTOKAN KARATE BE EFFECTIVE FOR SELF DEFENCE?

Absolutely, like any martial art if you are serious about your training and you practice consistently. Shotokan Karate starts to becoming like a natural instinct to the practitioner a form of a muscle memory. You learn to how to achieve individual endurance. Building full body muscle in your arms, legs, shoulders, and core strength. You learn how to enhance, your mental strength it inculcates allows the artist to take opponents of different sizes and weights without being scared and creating a mental block. It is a good physical activity to indulge in if individuals want to understand their own body closely, learn self-control, and that achieve mind-body harmony.

FINAL THOUGHTS ON SHOTOKAN KARATE DEMYSTIFIED)

The Shotokan form of Karate requires complete dedication, determination, and inner-will as it not only focuses on physical strength but mental well-being as well. Karate can be practiced either as a discipline for personal development, a sport for fitness, or a skill for self-defence. Karate is a progressive form of physical training and functional movement, helping you reach an optimum level of physical fitness at any age.  Start your Shotokan Karate training today.

 

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