Gichin Funakoshi (1868–1957)

Shotokan is a Japanese style of Karate-do that was developed in Okinawa in 1936 by karate master Gichin Funakoshi and his son Gigo Funakoshi. Today, Shotokan is considered a traditional and influential style of martial arts and one of the most widely practiced styles of karate-do.

Shotokan is a weaponless or empty-handed style divided into three parts, kihon (basics), kata (forms), and kumite (sparring).

Kihon training consists of learning the various different stances, blocks, strikes, kicks, and punches. These exercises are performed in a straight line back and forth along the dojo.

Katas are forms and movements that encompass all of the basic techniques; each kata is meant to represent a different fighting scenario. There are 26 different katas, starting with Heian Shodan and ending with Unsu.

Kumite is semi-contact or full contact sparring, in which students get to practice fighting techniques with an actual opponent.

Shotokan Karate belt levels