Dojo-Kun

1. Seek Perfection of Character
2. Be Faithful
3. Always Endeavor
4. Respect Others  
5. Refrain from Violent Behavior

SHOTOKAN KARATE

Shotokan Karate is a style named after Sensei Gichin Funakoshi, considered the founder of modern day Japanese Karate-Do.

“To-de”, the martial art form upon which karate is based, came from China to Okinawa. In Okinawa, there were two main styles of karate being taught. Named for the towns in which they originated, one was Shure-te, a softer, more flowing style, and the other was Naha-te, a more aggressive and fierce style.  Deep breathing and quick, sharp movements were used. Sensei Funakoshi blended these two styles.

In 1935, students of Sensei Funakoshi opened a dojo in his honor and named it Shoto Kan Karate Dojo.  It was not Sensei Funakoshi’s idea to call this method Shoto Kan. His basic desire was to call all styles under one name–Japanese Karate. But, after the opening of the Shotokan Karate Dojo in Tokyo, the style he had developed became known as Shotokan.

The name Shoto Kan was chosen because Shoto was the pen name used by Sensei Funakoshi. “Shoto” means “pine and wave” and “kan” means “building”.  Okinawa is an island whose many pine trees are swept by ocean winds and breezes. No doubt his feelings for his island homeland inspired Sensei Funakoshi to choose this pen name.