About Shotokan

Karate is one of a number of fighting techniques collectively know as the martial arts. The Word Karate is of Japanese origin, Kara meaning 'EMPTY' and TE meaning 'HAND', Literally then karate is a form of martial art that uses nothing more than the 'EMPTY HAND'

The Application of Karate requires other parts of the body to be used in addition to the hands, but the underlying principle is that there is no use of weapons or artificial aids. With It's origins going back many centuries, Modern Day Karate has a number of forms.

'THE FORM THAT WE ARE CONCERNED WITH IS SHOTOKAN'

The Founder of modern day Karate was Gichin Funakoshi (1868 - 1957), A scholar and teacher of Chinese classics on Okinawa Island, It is believed the Funakoshi developed karate from more ancient forms of unarmed combat. Some years after Funakoshi introduced karate to mainland Japan his students constructed a dojo and named it Shotokan in his honour.

The Three Japanese Characters making up shotokan are 'SHO' meaning pine tree 'TO' meaning 'WAVES' and 'KAN' meaning building or hall,  Pine waves means 'The sound that pine trees make when the wind blows through there needles' and it is said that funakoshi used 'SHOTO' as a pen name since that time shotokan has developed into a style of karate it's own right distinguishable by its low stances, Compact movements and formality. It is now practised all over the world, In it's application shotokan karate is very effective form of self defence.

However it is important to remember that is also helps develop self discipline, Confidence, Control, Motivation, Loyalty and Respect, It is also a good way of achieving physical fitness through aerobic exercise