Sample Passages
from the Kata chapter, Pinan section
(2) Pinan
When Itosu created this group of katas, he was already advanced in years. My research suggests that he used some of his students to make these katas. It is known that Itosu designed these Katas in 1905. It has proven, over time, to be excellent work. There are many, many important points for sparring as well as philosophical techniques contained in these Katas. This collection of katas has two sets. Pinan-Nidan and Pinan-Shodan are the first set, and the rest of the three make up the second set. The first set has no "Kyusoku-Gamae-Waza," while the second set does contain it. This is a very important part of the Shuri-Te philosophy. "Kyusoku" means break. "Kamae=Gamae" means form. It means making a break during fighting. This allows the other side to quit the fight and walk away. This may seem strange, but it is seen in other conflicts, such as a "cease-fire." If this is possible, it adds ethics to the conflict. Of course, "Yoi" and "Yame" have this same meaning and should be practiced as if they are the same. If we practice Karate for tournament only, we fail to learn this kind of technique.
These katas were created for beginners by Itosu, but they contain many advanced techniques. For example, there are four timing systems for attack: Sensen no te, Sen no te, Gosen no te and Go no te.
Pinan-Godan is the highest level kata within the Pinan group. This kata alone contains Shuri-Te’s most advanced sparring technique of in-line sparring from front to back. Also, the rest of the four katas miss at least one important stance. The table below illustrates which important stances are contained in each Pinan kata. The stances are: Renoji-dachi (in line stance), Kihon-dachi (front stance), Nekoashi-dachi (Cat stance), Shiko-dachi, Kosa-dachi (Crossed feet stance), and Heisoku-dachi (stance with feet together)...
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from the Styles chapter, Shotokan Ryu section
SHOTOKAN RYU 1939
Founded by Gichin Funakoshi (10/10/1868-4/26/1957)
Funakoshi was born as the eldest son of Gisu Funakoshi, a descendant of Tomari’s Samurai. However, because his father loved to drink without saving money, he was born in a rented house. His occupation was a teacher. When he was 16 years old, he joined Koshiro’s school to start the practice of Karatedo, but he quit about 3 months later. Afterwards he learned from Anko Asato, then Anko Itosu and Sesho Aragaki. In 1922, Funaoshi moved to Tokyo and lived in the Meishojuku Okinawan Dormitory. In January, 1939, Gichin Funakoshi moved from the Meishojuku Okinawan Dormitory and opened his first Karate school which was named Dainippon Karatedo Shotokan Dojo. The Japanese word "Kan" means house and "Shoto" was Funakoshi's pseudonym for his calligraphy art work and also the name of the community in which the school was located (Shoto). The students began using Shotokan in referring to Funakoshi's style of Karate and although Funakoshi chastised the students for using his name, the word Shotokan was adopted as Funakoshi's style of Karate...
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from the Philosophy chapter, Zen Story section
After practice, Japanese karate instructors often gather their students to teach discipline and philosophy. Sometimes the instructors use zen stories to exemplify what they are trying to teach. The teachers usually do not complete the story, or they end the story with a question in an attempt to make the students think for themselves.
I would like to give two examples of zen stories. Please find your own answers to these questions.
(1) There was once a family that lived in Japan many years ago. The father’s profession was that of a professional thief. One day the oldest son in the family asked his father to teach him his techniques. This was important because if his father died or became old, the family would no longer have a means for providing for their expenses...
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