NORTHERN ALBERTA SHOTOKAN KARATE
HANDBOOK
MASTER FUNAKOSHI
Master Gichin Funakoshi is
widely considered the primary "father" of modern karate due to his
efforts to introduce the Okinawan art to mainland Japan 
where it spread to the rest of the
world. Funakoshi Gichin was also the founder of what is now known as Shotokan
karate. His style of karate originated from him having trained under two famous
Okinawan karate masters, Yasatsune Azato and Anko Itosu. After being observed
by the Japanese Minister of Education during a karate demonstration, Funakoshi
was asked to bring his karate to Japan
THE SHOTOKAN TIGER:
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The word
Shotokan is comprised of three Kanji characters in Japanese - Sho To Kan. |
Master Funakoshi's pen name was Shoto, and signs his works of calligraphy with
his pen name. He would explain that the cool breezes, which blew among the pine
trees where he lived, made a sound like waves breaking the shore. When viewing
the Pine trees blowing at distance, it looked like a tigers tail.
The tiger, which is commonly used as the symbol of shotokan implies that the
tiger never sleeps, therefore, is the keen alertness of the wakeful tiger.
SHOTOKAN KARATE - MORE THAN
SELF-DEFENSE
Shotokan
is a Japanese style of martial arts. Because it is more straightforward and
offense-oriented, it is considered a "hard" style. It is a physically
demanding art, but athletic prowess is not a requirement to begin: male or
female, young or old, only determination and a willingness to try are needed.
New
students will be taught the basics, starting with warm-up and stretching 
exercises
to avoid injuries, then the mechanics of blocks and punches. Once a certain
number of basics are learned, students begin putting them together in
pre-arranged combinations called kata (forms).
The
katas progress in length and intensity as students become better at combining
the moves. Students then begin to apply this knowledge by participating in
controlled exchanged punches, kicks and blocks until they are ready for
free-sparring (fighting). This protects the students until they learn the
elements of timing, rhythm, focus and control. It is possible to achieve such a
level of proficiency that one could knock down an attacker with one punch or kick.
Although
martial arts is an excellent way of working off everyday tensions and stress,
self-defense is the main reason most people take it up. Self-defense is a
combination of physical training and repetition of coordinated moves that is
designed to stop or repel an attack. Constant training develops awareness as
well, allowing the person to recognize dangerous situations in time to avoid
them.
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HITOTSU : |
JINKAKU KANSEI
ni TSUTOMURU KOTO |
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ONE : |
To strive for
perfection of character. |
GICHIN FUNAKOSHI SENSEI'S
- 20 PRINCIPLES:
1. Karate is not only dojo training.
2. Don't forget that Karate begins with a bow and ends with a bow.
3. In Karate, never attack first.
4. One who practices Karate must follow the way of justice.
5. First you must know yourself. Then you can know others.
6. Spiritual development is paramount; technical skills are merely the
means to the end.
7. You must release your mind.
8. Misfortune comes out of laziness.
9. Karate is a lifelong training.
10. Put Karate into everything you do.
11. Karate is like hot water. If you do not give heat constantly it will
again become cold.
12. Do not think that you have to win. Think that you do not have to
lose.
13. Victory depends on your ability to tell vulnerable points from
invulnerable ones.
14. Move according to your opponent.
15. Consider your opponent's hands and legs as you would sharp swords.
16. When you leave home, think that millions of opponents are waiting
for you.
17. Ready position for beginners and natural position for advanced
students.
18. Kata is one thing. Engaging in a real fight is another.
19. Do not forget (1) strength and weakness of power, (2) expansion and
contraction of the body, (3) slowness and speed of techniques.
20. Devise at all times.
MAJOR
COMPONENTS OF SHOTOKAN KARATE TRAINING
- Kihon (basic
training): This is extremely important for the beginner
and puts emphasis stances, breathing, basic blocks, hand techniques and
kicks. Although stressed for the beginner, a karateka must practice kihon
as regularly as any other part of his or her training.
- Kata (forms):
This is the pre-arranged defense against multiple attackers. Kata is the
core of all karate and enables the practitioner to fully grasp the meaning
of kihon, breathing, concentration, balance, co-ordination and focus. One
who practices precise kata will excel in other aspects of karate-do. There
are twenty-six kata in the Shotokan system.
- Basic Sparring: The
goals of sparring training are to learn to apply the fundamental stances
and techniques against attacks and defenses of an opponent. There exist
five step or or one step attack drills. For best results and complete
safety, the attack and defense techniques are known in advance as well as
which is the offense/defense side.
- Kumite (free
sparring): Kumite is controlled sparring and the
participants are governed by certain rules and etiquette. This is the most
athletic aspect of karate training. The emphasis is on proper
technique and control, and not on harming the partner (not
``opponent").
- Self-defense:
This is one of the most attractive aspects of martial arts to those who do
not know much about the arts. In Shotokan you can learn how to subdue an
opponent consistent with the attack. There are takedowns, breaks, grips,
throws, locks, holds and numerous other defenses learned individually or
in a series called Kobo. These can be enjoyable to learn and like most of
karate-do can be learned by people of almost any age.
DOJO
RULES AND ETIQUETTE
1.
Remove all jewelry: rings, watches, etc. before
class.
2.
Proper cleanliness - gis clean, hands & feet
clean - toenails & fingernails clean and short
3.
No chewing gum, smoking, or swearing in class.
4.
No alcholic consumption before class
5.
Be on time for class
6.
Keep the dojo clean
7.
No fooling around before or during class
8.
Respect each other's ability and use only those
techniques which you are qualified to use
9.
Be in a proper state of mind before entering class
10. The
physical aspects of karate must be resorted to only in cases of self-defense or
when all other methods have failed.
11. Each
student must do his/her best to better him/herself and the art of karate do.
He/she shall also do everything possible to aid his/her fellow students in
their study
12. No student
is to demonstrate or teach the art of karate-do outside of the dojo.
13. All dan
ranking instructors are to be called or referred to as sir or sempai. All
questions should be answered with “osu”, or “no sensei” or “no sempai”.
14. Give full
attention to the instructor at all times when he/she is speaking or
demonstrating techniques.
15. Mutual
respect and fair play will always be demonstrated among all karate-ka
regardless of experience or dojo affiliation.
16. Always
demonstrate the high standards of personal discipline that will avoid bringing
any dishonor to yourself, the dojo, or to Shotokan karate-do.
17. Respect
senior karate-ka and assist juniors to the best of your ability.
18. Always
show reverence for the masters of karate-do. They have spent their life
developing the art so that you might study it.
19.
Train hard -- but -- enjoy your training!
COMMON JAPANESE TERMS
NUMBERS
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Japanese Numeral |
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Japanese Numeral |
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ichi |
1 |
roku |
6 |
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ni |
2 |
shichi |
7 |
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san |
3 |
hachi |
8 |
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shi |
4 |
ku |
9 |
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go |
5 |
juu |
10 |
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STANCES
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HAND
ATTACKS
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LEG
ATTACKS
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BLOCKS
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KUMITE
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OTHER
WORDS
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SHOTOKAN BESTSELLERS
Dynamic
Karate: Instruction by the Master, by Masatoshi Nakayama
Probably
the best of the karate introductory texts; contains lots of training exercises.
Karate-Do
Kyohan: The Master Text, by Gichin Funakoshi
The
most complete text written by the founder of Shotokan. Contains detailed
explanations with pictures from several angles of 19 Katas. Hardcover.
Advanced
Karate-Do: Concepts, Techniques, and Training Methods, by Elmar T.
Schmeisser
A
must-have for advanced students.
Karate-Do:
My Way of Life, by Gichin Funakoshi
Autobiographic
text by the founder of Shotokan, written shortly before his death. Captivating
stories about the early days of the art.
Best
Karate Series (11 books), by Masatoshi Nakayama
Each
book contains up to three katas in picture dictionary form. For every
technique, there is a photo, perhaps from a couple of different angles.
SHOTOKAN KARATE-DO
9TH KYU TESTING REQUIREMENTS
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Stances
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Punches
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Blocks
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Kicks
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Combinations
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Testing Kata
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"It will take your entire life to learn Karate; there is no
limit."
-
Master Gichin Funakoshi
Karate Ranking
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BELT COLOUR |
RANK |
Min TRAINING |
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White |
9th Kyu |
Beginner |
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Yellow |
8th Kyu |
4 months |
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7th Kyu |
8 months |
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Green |
6th Kyu |
12 months |
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Purple (1st) |
5th Kyu |
16 months |
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Purple (2nd) |
4th Kyu |
20 months |
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Brown (1st) |
3rd Kyu |
24 months |
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Brown (2nd) |
2nd Kyu |
28 months |
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Brown (3rd) |
1st Kyu |
32 months |
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Blackbelt ranking |
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Black
(1st ) |
Shodan |
3-31/2 yrs
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Black
(2nd) |
Nidan |
2 yrs after shodan |
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Black
(3rd) |
Sandan |
3 yrs after nidan |
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Black
(4th) |
Yondan |
4yrs after sandan |