Gichin Funakoshi
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Gichin Funakoshi (船越 義珍 Funakoshi Gichin, 1868–1957) was an Okinawan karate practicioner who 'formally' introduced karate to the Japanese mainland in 1921. The principal students that he taught formalized his teachings into a style called Shotokan. Shoto refers to the pen name that Funakoshi used when writing poetry, and Kan refers to the hall or building where the students of Shoto practiced.
Sensei Gichin Funakoshi, known world wide as the Founder of Shotokan Karate-Do, was born in Shuri, Okinawa in Yamakawa-cho district on November 10, 1868.
The official district records, however, show that his birth took place in 1870, but he in fact falsified his own records in order to be able to take the Tokyo medical school entrance exam. In spite of passing the exam Sensei Funakoshi never did become a member of the medical profession.
Born a frail child many members of his family felt he was destined for a short life and uneventful life. Little did his family know just how long, and how important his life would be.
It was during his early primary school years in his life he was introduced to the study "Tode" or "Chinese Hand" under Master Yasutsune Azato, as it was thought that the art of karate might strengthen him and improve the quality of his life.
A good student Funakoshi flourished under the tutelage of Master Azato to whose home he travelled each evening to practice karate. Later Master Azato would introduce him to another important teacher under whom he would also study, Master Yasutsune Itosu. It was these two men more than any others, who would have the greatest impact on his life.
No longer interested in entering the medical school it was while studying karate that Gichin Funakoshi decided to become a school teacher, and so after passing the qualifying examination he took charge of his first primary school class in 1888. It was a profession he was to follow for more than thirty years.
A high point in Gichin Funakoshi's karate took place on March 6, 1921 when he had the honour of demonstrating the art of "Okinawan te" to then Crown Prince Hirohito during a visit he made to Okinawa. Then, in the Spring of 1922, Gichin Funakoshi traveled to Tokyo where he had been invited to present his art of Tode at the First National Athletic Exhibition in Tokyo which had been organized by the Ministry of Education. After the demonstration he was strongly urged by several eminent groups and individuals to remain in Japan, and indeed he never did return to live in Okinawa.
As it had in Okinawa, the educational system of Japan was to become a major factor in the spread of karate. By 1924 Gichin Funakoshi had started to introduce karate to several of the local universities, first at Keio, followed by Chuo, Tokyo, and Waseda to name but a few. It was through these universities that he was able to reach a much larger audience and this contributed greatly to the growing popularity of karate.
Master Funakoshi was finally establish the Shotokan dojo in 1936, a great landmark in the history of karate. Sensei Funakoshi was not only a genius in martial arts, but he was also a literary talent, and he signed all of his works "Shoto" which was his pen name. Hence, the dojo or school where he taught came to be known as "Shoto's school" or "Shotokan" which ultimately was adopted as the official name for his style of karate. Sensei Funakoshi combined the techniques and katas of the two major Okinawan styles to form his own style of karate. As a result, modern day Shotokan includes the powerful techniques of the Shorei style of karate, as well as the lighter more flexible movements of the Shorin style of karate.
Funakoshi published several books on karate, including his
autobiography- Karate-do: my way of life
ca:Gichin Funakoshi de:Gichin Funakoshi fr:Gichin Funakoshi it:Funakoshi Gichin ja:船越義珍 pt:Gichin Funakoshi