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MASTER GICHIN FUNAKOSHI

If there is only one man who could take credit for the popularity and respect that karate is held today in mainland Japan, then that would be Gichin Funakoshi. He was born in Shuri, Okinawa in 1868. As a boy, Gichin Funakoshi was very sick and weak. His parents brought him to be trained by two very famous masters in Okinawa during his time: Yasutsune Itosu and Yasutsune Azato. From Itosu, he learned the martial art of Naha-te and from Azato, he learned the martial art of Shuri-te.

With the aid of his doctor, Dr. Tokashiki, and his herbs, Funakoshi blossomed into an strong young man. And under the excellent tutelage of Itosu and Azato and his other teachers Arakaki and Matsumura, Gichin Funakoshi developed into an outstanding student with a highly disciplined mind. He excelled in his studies and in his martial art. He was asked to perform in Japan during a physical fitness exhibition held by the Ministry of Education in 1917 and again in 1921. He even performed in front of the Japanese Emperor and the royal family in 1922.

When he finally had the means to open his own schools, he was able to train students in his own martial arts style. His style evolved the melding of the two styles he learned: Shuri-te from Azato and Naha-te from Itosu. This style is what is known today as Shotokan. “Shoto” refers to the pen name that Gichin Funakoshi used when writing poetry and “Kan” refers to the hall or building where the students of “Shoto” practiced. Gichin Funakoshi wrote several definitive books on the art of karate including his own autobiography, “Karate-Do: My Way of Life.”

Gichin Funakoshi died in April 1957 at the age of 88. He left behind a tremendous legacy. The Japanese Karate Association (JKA) which was established in 1955 started with Funakoshi as the chief instructor. It is still a vibrant martial arts club in Japan.