Gichin Funakoshi (1868-1957) – father of modern karate. A modest teacher who first demonstrated the martial art from Okinawa in Kyoto, then in Tokyo in 1922 at the First National Athletic Exhibition. He fascinated many people so much that he remained in Tokyo and taught there (with a break in the times of war) as long as he lived. Only after his success did other experts start to arrive from Okinawa to teach karate in the whole of Japan. His famous Shotokan dojo is presently associated with the name of the style that is practised in greatest numbers all around the world and which in its kinds often differs from the Funakoshi style. Master Funakoshi simplified and systematised many kata – forms from Okinawa, however, as for kumite, he never accepted anything but schematised fights, opposing spontaneous fights and sports karate. He very strongly underlined the obligation to deprive oneself of aggression, avoid dangers and not to aim at confrontation. His following motto gained a lot of popularity: karate ni sente nashi – karate does not strike first.

KATA SHOTOKAN

Heian shodan
Heian nidan
Heian sandan
Heian yondan
Heian godan
Tekki shodan
Tekki nidan
Tekki sandan
Bassai dai
Bassai sho
Kanku dai
Kanku sho
Jion
Jitte
Ji’in
Enpi
Hangentsu
Wankan
Nijushiho
Gojushiho sho
Gojushiho dai
Sochin
Meikyo
Chinte
Gankaku
Unsu