34-646: Kazumi Tabata ( 田畑 和美 , Tabata Kazumi ) was an 8th degree Grand Master in Shotokan karate . Born in Japan in 1943, Master Tabata started karate at age 13 and received the rank of nidan in Shorinji as a freshman in high school. Master Tabata went to Waseda University and started studying Shotokan style karate under Master Isao Obata , one of Master Gichin Funakoshi 's first students and first chairman of
68-425: A full range of target areas (including punches and kicks to the face, head, throat, and body) with no padding or protective gloves, but maintains a degree of safety for the participants. Throwing one's partner and performing takedowns are permitted in free sparring, but it is unusual for competition matches to involve extended grappling or ground-wrestling, as Shotokan karateka are encouraged to end an encounter with
102-517: A lesser degree, seniority. As with many martial arts, Shotokan uses a system of coloured belts to indicate rank. Most Shotokan schools use the kyū / dan system but have added other belt colours. The order of colours varies widely from school to school, but kyu belts are denoted with colours that in some schools become darker as a student approaches shodan . Dan level belts are invariably black, with some schools using stripes to denote various ranks of black belt. Gichin Funakoshi himself never awarded
136-498: A much more fluid style that incorporates grappling, throwing and some standing joint locking techniques, which can be found even in basic kata. Kumite (fighting) techniques are practiced in the kihon and kata and developed from basic to advanced levels with an opponent. Gichin Funakoshi laid out the Twenty Precepts of Karate (or Niju kun ), which form the foundations of the art, before some of his students established
170-590: A name, just calling it karate . Shotokan training is usually divided into three parts: kihon (basics), kata (forms or patterns of moves), and kumite (sparring). Techniques in kihon and kata are characterised by deep, long stances that provide stability, enable powerful movements, and strengthen the legs. Shotokan is regarded as a dynamic martial art as it develops anaerobic, powerful techniques as well as developing speed. Initially strength and power are demonstrated instead of slower, more flowing motions. Those who progress to brown and black belt level develop
204-564: A rank higher than Godan (5th dan black belt). Kihon basics is the practice of basic techniques in Shotokan Karate. It includes stances, blocks, punches, kicks, various displacements and their combinations, as well as the practice of Kihon Kata like: Taikyoku Shodan, which was developed by Yoshitaka Funakoshi, the son of Gichin Funakoshi, as a basic introduction to karate kata. (Yoshitaka also developed Taikyoku Nidan and Sandan.) This first kata consists of successive restatements following
238-431: A single attack ( ippon ), avoiding extended periods of conflict, or unnecessary contact in situations where there may be more than one attacker. Kaishu ippon kumite is an additional sparring exercise that is usually introduced for higher grades. This starts in a similar manner to freestyle one-step sparring; the attacker names the attack he/she will execute, attacks with that technique, and the defender blocks and counters
272-462: Is a performance or a demonstration, with every technique potentially a killing blow ( ikken hisatsu )—while paying particular attention to form and timing (rhythm). As the karateka grows older, more emphasis is placed on the health benefits of practicing kata , promoting fitness while keeping the body soft, supple, and agile. Several Shotokan groups have introduced "kata" (form) from other styles into their training. The original Shotokan kata syllabus
306-543: Is a style of karate , developed from various martial arts by Gichin Funakoshi (1868–1957) and his son Gigo (Yoshitaka) Funakoshi (1906–1945). Gichin Funakoshi was born in Okinawa and is widely credited with popularizing "karate do" through a series of public demonstrations, and by promoting the development of university karate clubs, including those at Keio , Waseda , Hitotsubashi (Shodai) , Takushoku , Chuo , Gakushuin , and Hosei . Funakoshi had many students at
340-778: Is essential to all advanced training, and includes the practice of correct body form and breathing, while practicing basics such as stances, punches, kicks, blocks, and thrusts, but it also includes basic representative kata . Kihon is not only practicing of techniques, it is also the budōka fostering the correct spirit and attitude at all times. Kihon techniques tend to be practiced often, in many cases during each practice session. They are considered fundamental to mastery and improvement of all movements of greater complexity. Kihon in martial arts can be seen as analogous to basic skills in, for example, basketball . Professional NBA players continue to practice dribbling, passing, free throws, jump shots, etc. in an effort to maintain and perfect
374-647: Is freestyle one-step sparring ( jiyu ippon kumite ). This type of kumite , and its successor—free sparring, have been documented extensively by Nakayama and are expanded upon by the JKA instructor trainee program, for those clubs under the JKA. Freestyle one-step sparring is similar to one-step sparring but requires the karateka to be in motion. Practicing one-step sparring improves free sparring ( jiyu kumite ) skills, and also provides an opportunity for practicing major counter-attacks (as opposed to minor counter-attacks). Tsutomu Ohshima states that freestyle one-step sparring
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#1732775453356408-541: Is introduced in Funakoshi's book Karate-do Kyohan , which is the master text of Shotokan karate. Japan Shotokai's kata syllabus is the same as established in "Karate-do Kyohan" with the addition of Gigo Funakoshi's staff kata Matsukaze No Kon. When the JKA was formed, Nakayama laid down 27 kata (26 mainly practised throughout most organisations) as the kata syllabus for this organisation. The standard JKA kata are: Taikyoku shodan (sometimes termed Kata Kihon or Kihon Kata,
442-488: Is no single "Shotokan school", although they all bear Funakoshi's influence. As the most widely practiced style, Shotokan is considered a traditional and influential form of karate do. Shotokan was the name of the first official dojo built by Gichin Funakoshi, in 1936 at Mejiro , and destroyed in 1945 as a result of the Tokyo air raids . Shoto ( 松涛 , Shōtō ) , meaning "pine-waves" (the movement of pine needles when
476-710: Is the NECKC, and together they host a bi-annual tournament. The New England Collegiate Karate Conference is a group of colleges and universities in the New England area, centered in Boston , that was founded by, and train under, Tabata. It is a sister organization of the NAKF. Current members are listed below and past members have also included Northeastern University , Yale University , and University of Massachusetts Amherst . Shotokan Shotokan ( 松涛館 , Shōtōkan )
510-589: Is the most realistic practice in Shotokan Karate, and that it is more realistic than free sparring. Free sparring (or free style) ( jiyu kumite ) is the last element of sparring learned. In this exercise, two training partners are free to use any karate technique or combination of attacks, and the defender at any given moment is free to avoid, block, counter, or attack with any karate technique. Training partners are encouraged to make controlled and focused contact with their opponent, but to withdraw their attack as soon as surface contact has been made. This allows attacking
544-503: Is the practical application of kihon and kata to real opponents. The formalities of kumite in Shotokan karate were first instituted by Masatoshi Nakayama wherein basic, intermediate, and advanced sparring techniques and rules were formalised. Shotokan practitioners first learn how to apply the techniques taught in kata to hypothetical opponents by way of kata bunkai . Kata bunkai then matures into controlled kumite . Kumite
578-455: Is the third part of the Shotokan triumvirate of kihon, kata and kumite . Kumite is taught in ever increasing complexity from beginner through low grade blackbelt (1st – 2nd) to intermediate (3rd – 4th) and advanced (5th onwards) level practitioners. Beginners first learn kumite through basic drills, of one, three or five attacks to the head ( jodan ) or body ( chudan ) with the defender stepping backwards whilst blocking and only countering on
612-537: The Japan Karate Association (JKA). Within these twenty principles, based heavily on bushido and Zen , lies the philosophy of Shotokan. The principles allude to notions of humility, respect, compassion, patience, and both an inward and outward calmness. It was Funakoshi's belief that through karate practice and observation of these 20 principles, the karateka would improve their person. The dōjō kun lists five philosophical rules for training in
646-798: The Japan Karate Association . He founded the North American Karate-Do Federation (NAKF) and the New England Collegiate Karate Conference (NECKC), and lived in Massachusetts in the United States where he taught regularly until his death in 2020. Master Tabata was the captain of the karate club at Waseda University, and, after moving to the United States at the behest of his sensei to spread Shotokan Karate, he
680-537: The Okinawan culture and Funakoshi's philosophies. However, many schools of JKA (Japan Karate Association) affiliated with Shotokan Karate used the full terminology on a daily basis, providing translations also. For example, the KUI (Karate Union of Ireland), utilises the full and proper Japanese name for each move and kata in training, grading and competition. Rank is used in karate to indicate experience, expertise, and to
714-571: The Okinawan kata names easier to pronounce in the Japanese Honshū dialect. In 1924, Funakoshi adopted the Kyū / Dan rank system and the uniform ( keikogi ) developed by Kano Jigoro , the founder of judo . This system uses colored belts ( obi ) to indicate rank. Originally, karate had only three belt colors: white, brown, and black (with ranks within each). The original belt system, still used by many Shotokan schools, is: Funakoshi awarded
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#1732775453356748-675: The attack. Unlike freestyle one-step sparring, however, the attacker may then be required to block the defender's counter-attack and strike back. This exercise is often considered more difficult than either freestyle one-step sparring or free sparring, as the defender typically cannot escape to a safe distance in time to avoid the counter to the counter-attack. Kumite within the dojo often differs from competition kumite . In dojo kumite any and all techniques, within reason, are valid; punches, knife hand strikes, headbutt, locks, takedowns, kicks, etc. In competition certain regulations apply, certain techniques are valid, and certain target areas, such as
782-499: The defender to execute a counter-attack faster than in the earlier types of sparring. Counter-attacks may be almost anything, including strikes, grapples, and take-down manoeuvres. Some schools prescribe the defences, most notably the Kase-ha Shotokan-ryū, which uses an eight step, three directional blocking and attacking pattern, which develops from yellow belt level through to advanced level. The next level of kumite
816-522: The dojo: seek perfection of character, be faithful, endeavor to excel, respect others, and refrain from violent behaviour. These rules are called the Five Maxims of Karate. The dōjō kun is usually posted on a wall in the dojo, and some shotokan clubs recite the dōjō kun at the beginning and/or end of each class to provide motivation and a context for further training. Funakoshi also wrote: "The ultimate aim of Karate lies not in victory or defeat, but in
850-437: The first 1st dan (初段; shodan ) Shotokan karate ranks to Tokuda, Hironori Ōtsuka (Otsuka), Akiba, Shimizu, Hirose, Makoto Gima, and Shinyō Kasuya on 10 April 1924. Kihon Kihon ( 基本, きほん ) is a Japanese term meaning "basics" or "fundamentals." The term is used to refer to the basic techniques that are taught and practiced as the foundation of most Japanese martial arts . The practice and mastery of kihon
884-400: The joints or throat, are forbidden. The purpose of competition is to score points through the application of kumite principles while creating an exciting and competitive atmosphere, whereas the purpose of training kumite in the dojo is to be prepared to kill or cripple an opponent in a realistic situation. Gichin Funakoshi had trained in both of the popular styles of Okinawan karate of
918-432: The last defence. These drills use basic ( kihon ) techniques and develop a sense of timing and distance in defence against a known attack. At around purple belt level karateka learn one-step sparring ( ippon kumite ). Though there is only one step involved, rather than three or five, this exercise is more advanced because it involves a greater variety of attacks and blocks usually the defenders own choice. It also requires
952-667: The name has been discontinued in some Shotokan dojos) (太極初段), Heian shodan (平安初段), Heian nidan (平安二段), Heian sandan (平安三段), Heian yondan (平安四段), Heian godan (平安五段), Bassai dai (披塞大), Jion (慈恩), Enpi (燕飛), Kanku dai (観空大), Hangetsu (半月), Jitte (十手), Gankaku (岩鶴), Tekki shodan (鉄騎初段), Tekki nidan (鉄騎二段), Tekki sandan (鉄騎三段), Nijūshiho (二十四步), Chinte (珍手), Sōchin (壯鎭), Meikyō/Rōhai (明鏡), Unsu (雲手), Bassai shō (披塞小), Kankū shō (観空小), Wankan (王冠), Gojūshiho shō (五十四歩小), Gojūshiho dai (五十四歩大), and Ji'in (慈陰). Kumite , or sparring (lit. Meeting of hands),
986-406: The perfection of the character of the participant." Many terms used in karate stem from Japanese culture. While many are names (e.g. Heian , Gankaku ), others are exclusive to martial arts (e.g. kata , kumite ). Many terms are seldom used in daily life, such as zenkutsu dachi , while others appear routinely, such as rei . The Japanese form is often retained in schools outside Japan to preserve
1020-437: The theme of gedan barai — oi tsuki , and performing three oi tsuki by following the known "H" pattern or Embusen . Kata is often described as a set sequence of karate moves organised into a pre-arranged fight against imaginary opponents. The kata consists of kicks, punches, sweeps, strikes and blocks. Body movement in various kata includes stepping, twisting, turning, dropping to the ground, and jumping. In Shotokan, kata
1054-477: The time: Shōrei-ryū and Shōrin-ryū . After years of study in both styles, Funakoshi created a simpler system that combined the ideals of the two. He never named this system, however, always referring to it simply as "karate." Funakoshi's karate reflects the changes made in the art by Ankō Itosu , including the Heian/Pinan kata series. Funakoshi changed the names of some of the kata in an effort to make
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1088-525: The university clubs and outside dojos , who continued to teach karate after his death in 1957. However, internal disagreements (in particular the notion that competition is contrary to the essence of karate) led to the creation of different organisations—including an initial split between the Japan Karate Association (headed by Masatoshi Nakayama ) and the Shotokai (headed by Motonobu Hironishi and Shigeru Egami ), followed by many others—so that today there
1122-400: The wind blows through them), was Funakoshi's pen-name, 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. Gichin Funakoshi never gave his system
1156-781: Was the captain of the US Karate Team for two decades, representing the US in many international tournaments. In addition, he was the technical director for the US National Olympic Committee. The North American Karate-do Federation is a collection of Shotokan karate schools, mostly in New England and centered in Greater Boston . The organization was founded in 1968 by Master Tabata at the urging of his teacher Master Isao Obata . Its sister organisation
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