Karate originated
from Okinawa, one of several of the Ryukyu Islands, situated many
hundreds of miles south west of mainland Japan, in the South China
Sea
There are 7 major
styles of karate- Shotokan, Shorin-Ryu Wado-Ryu, Shito-Ryu, Goju-Ryu,
Kyokushin and Kenpo. Whilst each style has its own strengths and
plus points, Shotokan is generally regarded as the most widely
practised and is well known for its deep stances, sharp techniques
and always finishing its kata’s with an attack
The style of karate
MSKF practises is Shotokan
Shotokan Karate is
a relatively modern style, brought to mainland Japan by one of the
greatest Karatekas’ ever, Gichin Funakoshi (1868-1957) . See if
you can spot his picture in the Stafford Dojo!
Other Okinawan’s
such as Kenwa Mabuni and Motobu Choki were alos important in the
foundation of Shotokan karate
Shotokan is a
fusion of Shorei-ryu and Shorin- ryu, both styles which Funakoshi
practised. The Heian katas were included in karate for the first
time here
The Gi suit
karateka’s wear was taken from…Judo. The grading system, from
white belt up to black, Kyus to Dans, was taken from…Judo.
Though there are
countless variations across all the different organisations and
clubs that practise Shotokan Karate, MSKF’s grading system goes
like this…
You can get up to
10th Dan at some clubs and in some styles. Some clubs
have Black and Red Belts. At MSKF, once you pass 1st
Dan, each belt has gold bands on it, denoting how many Dans you
are
Shotokan ~ Shoto’s
club. Pen name Funakoshi used for his poetry, meaning pine waves
