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History of Shotokan Shotokan karate is the most popular style of karate in the world. It is a traditional Japanese martial art with roots in Okinawa. Its founder is Gichin Funakoshi.

Gichin Funakoshi

Master Funakoshi brought karate from Okinawa to Japan. At this time he had no name for his karate nor did he set out to specifically start a style. He just wanted to expose a larger audience to karate. After the introduction of karate to Japan in 1922 it became quite popular. At this time the Japanese began to train extensively in the art, and it began to evolve.

Inside the first Shotokan Dojo

In 1936 the Master Funakoshi's first dojo is constructed in the Mijuroko neighborhood of Tokyo. In 1938 the building is inaugurated and named the Shotokan. "Shoto" means literally "sound that the wind produces when it goes through the pine needles" and was Master Funakoshi's pen name, which he signed his poetry with. "Kan" means house or meeting place. Shotokan can therefore be inferred to mean the "house of Shoto". Eventually the people training at the dojo adopted the name in reference to Master Funakoshi's style of karate.

Master Nakayama

Just as Master Funakoshi brought karate to Japan Master Nakayama brought karate to the rest of the world. In 1948 the Japan Karate Association was born. The head of this organization was Master Funakoshi, and the chief instructor was Master Nakayama. In 1956, with the help of Master Okazaki, Master Nakayama started the first ever instructor trainee program. Some of the biggest names in Shotokan Karate graduated from this program, and were sent forth by Master Nakayama to teach karate around the world. Master Okazaki was eventually sent to the United States.