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Master
Funakoshi
Supreme
Master Funakoshi Gichin (1868-1957) is considered the
father of modern karate. Born
on 10th November 1868 in Okinawa, he was of samurai lineage.
By age 11 he had already made a name for himself in the
Ryukyu-style martial arts and also learned karate-jutsu
(“Chinese-hand martial art”).
Over
the years he pursued his training and continuously developed his
remarkable skills. Master
Funakoshi became chairman of the Okinawa Martial Arts Society, as well
as an instructor at the Okinawa Teacher’s School.
In
1922, aged 54, he introduced Okinawan karate-jutsu
at the first Japanese Ministry of Education sponsored Physical Education
Exhibition. This
introduction was the first ever public display of karate-jutsu
in Japan. It was a stunning success and the previously unknown martial
artist Funakoshi Gichin rose to instant fame throughout the Japanese
world of martial arts.
Master Funakoshi subsequently began teaching at Tokyo’s
Meiseijuku, a dormitory for Okinawan students. In
1922, he published a book entitled “Ryukyu Kempo
Karate.” It was the first formal exposition in Japan on the art of karate.
In 1929, after much thought
and reflection, he also changed the name of karate-jutsu
(“Chinese-hand martial art”) to karate-do
(“the way of karate,” or “the way
of the empty hand”). He then defined the twenty precepts of karate,
and established a grand karate philosophy.
On April 10, 1957, the Japanese Ministry of Education
gave official recognition to the JKA, and it became a legal entity. A
mere sixteen days later, at the age of 89, Master Funakoshi passed away.
A memorial monument to Master
Funakoshi was established at Enkakuji Temple in Kamakura. Members of the
JKA pay an honorary visit on April 29th each year, the date of the Shoto
Festival.
The
Twenty Precepts of Karate - Within these twenty principles,
based heavily on Bushido
and Zen, lies the philosophy of the JKA.
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Never forget:
karate begins with rei and ends with rei (Rei means courtesy or
respect, and is represented in karate by bowing)
-
There is no first
attack in karate
-
Karate supports
righteousness
-
First understand
yourself, then understand others
-
The art of
developing the mind is more important than the art of applying
technique
-
The mind needs to
be freed
-
Trouble is born of
negligence
-
Do not think karate
belongs only in the dojo
-
Karate training
requires a lifetime
-
Transform
everything into karate; therein lies its exquisiteness
-
Genuine karate is
like hot water; it cools down if you do not keep on heating it
-
Do not think of
winning; you must think of not losing
-
Transform yourself
according to the opponent
-
Transform yourself
according to the opponent
-
Imagine one's arms
and legs as swords
-
Once you leave the
shelter of home, there are a million enemies
-
Postures are for
the beginner; later they are natural positions
-
Do the kata
correctly; the real fight is a different matter
-
Do not forget
control of the dynamics of power, the elasticity of the body and the
speed of the technique
-
Always be good at
the application of everything that you have learned.
Master
Nakayama Masatoshi
Master
Nakayama Masatoshi (1913-1987) -
Born
in April 1913, he was a descendant of the Sanada clan, where his
ancestors were highly skilled instructors of kenjutsu
(the art of swordsmanship).
After
joining university in 1932, Master Nakayama joined the university’s
karate club under Master Funakoshi Gichin and decided to devote his life
to karate.
In 1946, along with fellow Shotokan practitioners, he
revived the Shotokan karate tradition with Funakoshi Gichin as Supreme
Master. In 1949, they
established the Japan Karate Association. By 1955 a headquarters dojo
was built in Tokyo and in
1957, the Japanese Ministry of Education
granted the JKA exclusive legal recognition as an official association
of members for the promotion of the way of karate.
He developed, together with his fellow JKA instructors,
a new, rational method of teaching that was tailored to the level and
goals of each student: karate as a physical development tool, karate as
a method of self-defence, karate for matches, etc.
He also emphasized the necessity for each aspect of training to
be physical and practical, and he scientifically analyzed how to make
this so.
Master Nakayama also invented karate’s first match
system - the first ever JKA All Japan Karate Championship, held in 1957.
His adaptation of kata
and kumite for the match system was a
huge success. By 1961 the
5th JKA All Japan Karate Championship was attended by His Majesty the
Crown Prince of Japan.
Master Nakayama not only valued the spiritual aspects
of karate that his teacher Funakoshi Gichin espoused, notably the virtue
of modesty and the spirit of harmony, but also a constant remembrance
that “there is no first attack in karate.”
In
practice, Master Nakayama insisted that each technique should
demonstrate one’s powerful and whole-hearted personal best.
He also emphasized that it is crucial to study the inseparable
trinity of karate—kihon,
kata,
and kumite—as one.
He continually reminded everyone to keep in mind that “the way
of karate we pursue is a bare-handed martial art which we practice with
an unwavering heart in a state of emptiness; it is a way of developing
the personality.”
He summarized all his techniques and philosophy in a
famous 11-volume series entitled “Best Karate,” which is still used
as a benchmark reference text for karateka today.
In 1987, Master Nakayama passed away aged 74.
Sensei
Keinsuke Enoeda
Master
Keinosuke Enoeda (1935 – 2003) was born on 4th July 1935,
and was a direct descendant of two samurai lineage.
He
was introduced to the martial arts through Judo and reached 2nd
Dan by the time he was 16. After studying Economics at university, he was invited to
enrol on the JKA three-year instructor programme were he was taught by
Masters Funokoshi and Nakayama. He quickly gained his black belt and
became the All Japan Karate Champion, earning him the nickname “Tiger”
from Master Nakayama who is credited with saying he fought like a tiger
during the championships.
The nickname was justified for his exceptional fighting spirit
and fearsome determination. He
became one of Japan’s finest ever competitors and instructors.
He
was sent around the world stopping in Hawaii, the USA, Indonesia, South
Africa, as well as Europe by the JKA to teach karate but eventually
settled in England where he set up a number of clubs and taught
dedicated instructors over all the UK the precepts of karate.
It was during this time that many of the leading JKAE instructors
were taught under Master Enoeda. Many
senior instructors remember his great spirit, energy, but above all
else, charisma.
While
Chief Instructor of other organisations, it was Master Enoeda’s links
with the JKA that prepared the foundations for the JKAE after he passed
away.
Master
Enoeda died in 2003 aged 67.
Sensei
Yoshinabu Ohta
Sensei
Yoshinabu Ohta – 6th Dan is the Chief Instructor of the
Japan Karate Association England.
Born
in Japan, Sensei Ohta attended the famous JKA Instructors class in
Japan.
Sensei
Ohta was Master Enoeda’s assistant from 1983 to 2003.
It was during this time he gained an international reputation for
being one of the most technically skilled JKA instructors.
He teaches at all national courses and teaches abroad, as well as
at his own clubs in Covent Garden and Chelsea.
Sensei
Ohta regularly teaches and examines here in Lewisham at gradings and
special courses. He is
highly respected and warmly received on all his visits.
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Supreme
Master Funakoshi Gichin
The
Twenty Precepts of Karate
Master
Nakayama Masatoshi
Master
Keinosuke Enoeda
Chief
Instructor of JKAE
Sensei
Yoshinabu Ohta
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