Gichin Funakoshi

Gichin Funakoshi (1868–1957) was an Okinawan martial artist who introduced karate to mainland Japan and founded the Shotokan school.

Okinawan martial arts: Indigenous fighting traditions of Okinawa, including the practices that developed into karate. Funakoshi’s karate grew from Okinawan fighting traditions and their methods of practice.
Shotokan: A karate school associated with Funakoshi, known for deep stances, forceful linear techniques, and formal training. Funakoshi’s teachings became the basis of the school bearing his pen name.
Yasutsune Itosu: An Okinawan karate master and educator, also known as Anko Itosu. This name identifies the teacher listed as Anko Itosu in accounts of Funakoshi’s training.
Karate-dō: The modern interpretation of karate as a way of life combining martial practice with ethical self-cultivation. Funakoshi emphasized karate as a path of character development, not merely combat.
Shuri-te: A style of Okinawan martial arts associated with Shuri and an ancestor of several karate traditions. Funakoshi’s early training was rooted in the Shuri-te tradition.
Kata: A predetermined sequence of martial arts techniques practiced as a formal exercise. Funakoshi used kata to preserve and teach karate techniques.
Yoshitaka Funakoshi: A karate instructor and son of Gichin Funakoshi who helped develop modern Shotokan techniques. His innovations gave Shotokan a more athletic style than his father’s original approach.
Karate-dō Kyōhan: A 1935 instructional book by Gichin Funakoshi presenting karate techniques and principles. This work set out Funakoshi’s system for a Japanese-speaking audience.
Anko Itosu: An Okinawan karate master who helped introduce karate into Okinawan schools. Itosu was one of Funakoshi’s principal teachers and a reformer of karate instruction.
Kihon: The fundamental techniques and basic exercises practiced in Japanese martial arts. Shotokan training organizes foundational movements through repeated basic practice.

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