Ossu

Shotokan karate is one of the most popular of modern styles. It is the most powerful and dynamic of the Japanese systems, and is generally considered to be the most comprehensive, both in the range of its techniques and the number and diversity of its kata.

Karate itself, originated not from Japan (as most people think) but from a tiny island called Okinawa. Okinawa is now a part of Japan but used to be a part of a small cluster of islands collectively called The Ryukyu Kingdom.

It has had a number of different names such as: Te, something i cant remember but it means Chinese hand and finally Karate, literally meaning empty hand.

Most modern karate styles can be traced back to the famous Satunuku 'Tode' Sakugawa. At 17 years of age Sakugawa started practicing shuri-te under an Okinawan monk by the name of Takahara Peichin(1683-1760).

At age 23, Sakugawa was advised by Takahara to leave and train under Kusanku, who was a master of Chinese Kung Fu and was also a military attache in Okinawa.

When Kusanku returned to China in 1756, Sakugawa followed. Sakugawa stayed in China for six years. He learned valuable lessons from Kusanku and went on to become a great master himself. In 1762 Sakugawa returned to Okinawa to introduce this fighting method. It didn’t take long for people to recognise Sakugawa as an expert in Tode (Chinese hand). This is probably the time he picked up the nickname Tode(Chinese hand) Sakugawa.

1. Karate-do wa rei ni hajimari, rei ni owaru koto wo wasuruna.
   Karate begins and ends with courtesy.
2. Karate ni sente nashi.
   There is no first attack in karate.
3. Karate wa gi no tasuke.
   Karate is an assistance to justice.
4. Mazu jiko wo shire, shikoshite tao wo shire.
   Know yourself before you know others.
5. Gijutsu yori shinjutsu.
   Spirit before technique.
6. Kokoro wa hanatan koto wo yosu.
   Be ready to free your mind.
7. Wazawai wa getai ni shozu.
   

1. Hitotsu, jinkaku kansei ni tsutomuro koto.
   First, seek perfection of character.
2. Hitotsu, makoto no michi wo mamoru koto.
   First, defend the path of truth and sincerity.
3. Hitotsu, doryoku no seishin o yashinau koto.
   First, foster the spirit of effort.
4. Hitotsu, reigi o omonzuru koto.
   First, respect the principles of etiquette.
5. Hitotsu, kekki no yu o imashimuru koto.
   First, have self control to refrain from impetuous and violent behaviour.

Gichin Funakoshi was born in the Yamakawa-cho district of Shuri (Okinawa's capital) on 10 November 1868. He was a poorly child and began training in Tode (Chinese Hand) under Master Anko Asato as a way of improving his physical health.

Funakoshi was a good student and would travel to the home of Master Asato each evening to practice. Master Asato introduced him to another important teacher under whom he would also study, Master Anko Itosu.

These two teachers had a major impact on his life. Funakoshi changed career and become a school teacher, and after passing the qualifying examination, he took charge of his first primary school class in 1888.