Shotokan (松濤館, Shōtōkan)
HISTORY & PRINCIPALS OF Shotokan (松濤館, Shōtōkan) Shotokan was the name of the first official dojo built by Gichin Funakoshi, in 1936 [3] at Mejiro , and destroyed in 1945 as a result of an allied bombing . [4] Shoto ( 松濤 , Shōtō ), meaning "pine-waves" (the movement of pine needles when the wind blows through them), was Funakoshi's pen-name, [5] which he used in his poetic and philosophical writings and messages to his students. The Japanese kan ( 館 , kan ) means "house" or "hall". In honour of their sensei, Funakoshi's students created a sign reading shōtō-kan , which they placed above the entrance of the hall where Funakoshi taught. [5] Gichin Funakoshi never gave his system a name, just calling it karate . Characteristics [ edit ] Shotokan training is usually divided into three parts: kihon (basics), kata (forms or patterns of moves), and kumite ...