A Brief History
Shotokan Karate
Where did it all start?
It is widely accepted that Karate has its roots in Okinawa, a small group of islands south of Japan.
Okinawa became a busy trading port during the fourteenth century; a period referred to as the 'Golden Age
of Trade'. During this time Okinawa was known as the 'Kingdom of the Ryukyus'.
Although the Ryukus Kingdom was flourishing due to the trade with China and other nations, trade vessels were
constantly threatened by pirates. This threat prompted the Okinawan people, as well as sailors from abroad, to
carry weapons, making the Kingdom a dangerous place. In order to stop the proliferation of violence in the
Kingdom the use of all weapons on the islands was banned. This ban meant the people of the Kingdom had to find
alternative ways to defend themselves and their property. It was during this period that the practice of an
unknown martial art, known then as 'Tode' meaning 'Chinese hand' or simply 'Te' meaning 'hand' first began.
The Okinawans developed techniques to defend themselves and their property without the use of weapons.
Gichin Funakoshi (1868 - 1957)
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Gichin Funakoshi is known today as the father of modern day karate. He was born in 1868 in Okinawa. As a boy he studied karate under two masters, Master Itosu and Master Azato. In those days a master only took on a few students and the practice of the martial arts was still kept secret. When Funakoshi grew up he became a schoolteacher, training in karate all the while with both masters. |
It was during this time, Okinawan karate emerged from its seclusion to become a legally sanctioned martial art.
Funakoshi, knowing the huge benefits of the study of karate, introduced karate into the Okinawan public school
system. In 1922, the Japanese Ministry of Education held a martial arts demonstration in Tokyo and Funakoshi
was asked to introduce Okinawan karate to Japan.
Funakoshi did not get the chance to return to Okinawa. His demonstration made a powerful impression on the Japanese
public; Funakoshi was soon besieged with requests to further demonstrate and teach his art. Eventually Funakoshi
had enough students to open the first karate dojo in Japan. The dojo was called 'Shotokan' ('Kan' means 'building',
'Shoto' means 'pine waves', which was Funakoshi's pen name). In 1955, Funakoshi established the Japan Karate Association.
Funakoshi served as chief instructor of the JKA until his death in 1957. Since then, Shotokan students have continued his
spirit and teachings.
Hirokazu Kanazawa (1931 - Present)
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Kancho Kanazawa is one of the world's most renowned and respected traditional karate masters alive.
He is the only karateka ever to have won the notorious 'All Japan Karate Championships' an incredible three
times in a row; and on one occasion won the final whilst nursing a broken wrist from an earlier event. Kancho Kanazawa took up karate while at University (following several years of Judo training). |
He became the protégé of the late headmaster of the JKA, Matsatoshi Nakawam (10th Dan) and is one of the few remaining karateka
privileged to have studied under Master Gichin Funakoshi.
In addition to Kancho Kanazawa's mastery of karate-do, he is also an expert with various traditional weapons and has
a very extensive knowledge of the Chinese art of Tai-Chi. Master Kanazawa is the only living Karateka to have achieved
10th Dan and still teaches classes today.
Keinosuke Enoeda (1935-2003)
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Sensei Enoeda, known as the 'Tora' or 'Tiger', was born in Kyushu, an island off the south coast of Japan. He was a natural athlete and took up karate after seeing it demonstrated at Takashoku university (he was already 2nd Dan in Judo). After graduating from university Enoeda accepted an invitation to the JKA instructors course and studied for three years under Matsatoshi Nakayama (10th Dan). |
Sensei Enoeda came to England in 1965 and established karate dojo in both Liverpool and London; he was a key factor in the popularity of Shotokan Karate in the country. Sensei Enoeda made England his home and was a powerful figure on the world karate scene.
