| History: Shotokan is both a young and an . It is ancient | | | | known as triads, which are both real organisations and |
| because its roots are deeply entrenched in the past, | | | | metaphors for something much deeper within the |
| and young because, as it is expressed today, it is an | | | | human psyche. There exists the physical triad of kihon |
| art that is less than a 100 years old. Shotokan is | | | | (basics), kumite (sparring) and kata (forms), which |
| characterised by its long and low stances, its powerful | | | | require dedicated training and the constant perfecting |
| techniques and its dynamic forms. The founder of | | | | of technique. This is followed by the moral triad of |
| Shotokan, Gichin Funakoshi, was an Okinawan. He | | | | justice, mercy and compassion and finally by the |
| trained in the oldest of the Okinawan te (hand) | | | | ethical triad of duty, honour and loyalty. If we put all of |
| systems as a young man and in the early 20th | | | | the 9 triad principles together (9 symbolises perfection) |
| century brought what he had learned in the island of | | | | we achieve the whole, rounded person. When these |
| Okinawa to mainland Japan, where he demonstrated | | | | principles are practised in a martial art, they illustrate |
| his art before the Emperor. He originally intended to | | | | one of the fundamental concepts of Shotokan, as |
| return to Okinawa but was persuaded to to remain | | | | advocated by the founder, Gichin Funakoshi. His aim |
| and continue teaching in Japan. Funakoshi's pen name | | | | was to focus on the development of the human |
| was Shoto (waving pines) and kan (hall). Hence | | | | character as a whole being, rather than on winning and |
| Shotokan can be translated to mean "Shoto's hall of | | | | losing. Significance: While Shotokan is a wonderful form |
| the way of the empty hand". While Funakoshi was the | | | | of relaxation or sport for many people, for those who |
| originator of Shotokan, it was really his son, Yoshitaka | | | | practise it seriously it has a much deeper and wider |
| Funakoshi, who developed it into the form we know | | | | significance. This deeper realisation, however, can only |
| today. It rapidly grew in popularity, supported, | | | | come after years of dedicated practice. While this is a |
| encouraged and regulated by the powerful Japan | | | | dimension of the art that emerges rather slowly, |
| Karate Association. Before long, it was to be found all | | | | Shotokan can still be enjoyed at all levels by hundreds |
| over the world. Triads: Shotokan is built on what are | | | | of thousands of people throughout the world. |