Shotokan Karate

by Ashley Croft

Shotokan Karate is the most widely practiced style of karate in the world today. For most of its history it has been taught clandestinely, with past masters only entrusting their secrets to a select few pupils. This approach has changed dramatically over the last 75 years, with karate being exported throughout the world. This book looks at the fundamental principles and philosophy; the main striking, blocking, and kicking techniques; detailed instructions of moves with descriptions of the most common mistakes; and flexibility training and the physiology of stretching.

239 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2001

Reviews

[Bhakta Kishor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Funakoshi had many students at 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 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.