This is a form of Karate that was developed in the late 1800’s by Fichin Funakoshi in Japan. He often had many public forms of demonstration and practiced mainly in dojo’s at colleges all throughout Japan. He had many students, and at later stages of the creation of Shotokan, he and a few of his students had disagreements about the essence of karate, and the forms split to form new branches of karate all based on Shotokan. In fact, today, the original form of Shotokan does not exist in its original form, but is only taught from a few of the branches that broke out during the creation of Shotokan. Shotokan is not a karate of strikes. It is taught through kata, a series of moves and strikes done as a routine, and kumite, or free sparring. Kumite is done to practice the moves learned in each kata.

Shotokan, like most forms of karate, has a ranking system consisting of colored belts. In each belt there can be levels (for instance red belt, level one and two). Each level, or belt, has different kata’s that become more advanced and technical. These moves learned in the kata then are transferred to the kumite free sparring session in order to try to perfect the skill in a real scenario. In order to advance in a level, one must preform the correct kata in front of his or her instructors in effort to move on.

Shotokan was not meant to be a means of fighting, but a way of finding ones self. Funakoshi developed a list of rules he called, Dojo kun, that he made all abide by when practicing Shotokan. This list consisted of five rules, the basis of Shotokan. These five rules were, seek the perfection of one’s character, be faithful, strive to succeed, respect everyone, and refrain from violent behaviors. The karate was not a means of winning or losing, but to seek the perfection of self as well as in others. It was a means of personal perfection of the body and mind through strong means of self discipline and training. The actual karate learned is to be used to maintain the peace when hostility arises, rather than to destroy and humiliate the opponent.

These different forms of Shotokan are now taught all over the world. It is a great mean to get your body and mind in line and in shape. Karate is a great form of exercise and can increase ones strength, agility, endurance, balance and self discipline. It also carries over into other parts of your life as well. The mental training that you will go through will help you be successful as well. And lets not forget to mention the obvious ability to defend yourself if a situation arises where you must use the skills you learned to douse the situation at hand. Knowing how to defend yourself gives you a great deal of confidence when walking the streets. It feels good knowing you can protect yourself and your loved ones from a potential attacker.

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Category: Sports
Keywords: shotokan, karate, self defense