Welcome to the Lewisham Shotokan Karate Centre

Karate is a form of unarmed combat employing a wide range of punching and kicking techniques. There are no weapons involved in practising karate and the term “karate” literally means “empty hand” where only hands and feet are used for blocking and striking. There are many distinctive styles of karate with their own characteristics such as emphasising speed, power and hip rotation while other styles concentrate on competitions, self defence or various applications of techniques.

History

The similarities in styles are a consequence of some of the shared histories karate has with other martial arts. The common source is attributed to a Buddhist monk called Bhodidharma who in the 5^th century travelled from India to China to teach Zen Buddhism. The study of Zen required considerable mental concentration as well as physical stamina. He devised a way of combining Chinese and Indian Kenpo (fighting) with Yoga and a system of physical training to refine techniques. The monks of the Shaolinssu were particularly adept to this and as they travelled through China, the different fighting techniques were adapted to the local conditions. With this adaptation, different styles of martial art were beginning to take shape.

Karate Emerges

Okinawa lies between China and Japan and was a refuge for those fleeing civil wars in China. Chinese fighting methods were passed on to Okinawans who adapted them with their own form of unarmed combat. Chinese movements tended to be smoother and rounded than the Okinawan and combined to become commonly known as Tang Hand or Chinese Hand.

Okinawa was occupied by the Japanese Satsuma in the 17^th century who forbade the carrying of weapons and Tang Hand flourished secretly as an illegal means of self defence. It was refined to even strike through the body armour of their aggressors which accounts for some of the emphasis of developing wood breaking techniques within some styles.

Different Styles of Karate

Okinawan born Funakoshi Gichin was the first to introduce Tang Hang to Japan in 1917. He also studied Japanese Jujitsu and other martial arts. In 1936 after modifying his own style renamed it “Karate” (empty hand). Various other Okinawans followed Funakoshi to Japan and other styles evolved as a result:

Style Founder

Shotokan Funakoshi Gichin

Shitoryu Kenwa Mabuni

Gojuryu Chojun Miyagi

Wadoryu Hironori Otsuka

Shukokai Chojiro Tani

Kyokushinkai Masutatsu Oyama

The main characteristics of Shotokan karate to that of other styles is that it emphases a low stance with wide foot positions. This allows a considerable use of hip power in generating techniques. Shotokan also places great emphasis on Kata. Other styles will adopt emphasis on other areas and techniques which differentiates them from Shotokan.