History of Traditional Karate
by Sensei Toru Shimoji
Traditional Karate-do is a part of Budo, the Japanese martial art system. It is defined as a weaponless self-defense art against a single or multiple opponents using punching, striking, blocking, kicking and shifting techniques. The technical focus of training is the development of Todome-waza, the "finishing blow". This concept is based on the notion that a competent practitioner can deliver a single blow (mental or physical) that instantly terminates an assailant's intent to harm. However, the ultimate aim of Budo study is to develop one's character as well as fighting skills to altogether evade and/or avoid violent encounters.
The word Karate-do is made of several symbolic Chinese characters. The character "Kara" denotes empty, void or devoid. "Te" means hand, or metaphorically as one's true self. Finally the suffix "Do" can best be described with phrases like " path of", "the way of", or "one's endeavor". In Japanese martial art philosophy, 'Do' is the "way of" continuously seeking perfection of human character through continuous effort in training, overcoming numerous mental, physical and emotional obstacles. In essence, the study of Budo can best be summarized as a way to tap into the unlimited resources of the human spirit.
History
Many historians believe that the Traditional Karate-do practiced today stems from martial arts developed in China several thousand years ago. The exact root cannot be traced since there are no reliable written records. There is a well-known legend that a Buddhist monk introduced a form of martial arts for health and self-defense to the monks of Shaolin Temple. From there the Chinese martial arts developed into numerous "external" and "internal" styles.
Due to active commerce and trade between the Ryukyu kingdom (Okinawa) and China, the arts eventually spread to Okinawa where it underwent further development and changes. This is believed to have started during the peak of the Ryukyu kingdom, around the 1500's.
Master Gichin Funakoshi formally introduced a style of Okinawan fighting arts, known as Okinawa-Te (later known as Karate) to mainland Japan in 1917 where the art of Karate soon became popular. Master Hidetaka Nishiyama in his book KARATE THE ART OF EMPTY HAND FIGHTING claims, "At the same time, the ancient native Japanese hand-to-hand fighting techniques jujitsu and kendo (sword fighting) were being widely practiced, and modern sports imported from the West were rapidly becoming popular. Karate soon took over many elements of both of these, and the basis was laid for the modern Japanese-style karate".
In 1948 the Japan Karate Association (JKA) was formed. The JKA organized an instructor-training program that began sending Karate teachers throughout the world. Since then, the JKA style of karate typically known as Shotokan Karate has grown tremendously with millions of practitioners worldwide.
Style
The founder of our system, Gichin Funakoshi, believed that all styles be generically termed Karate-do, so he never claimed a name for his style. However, due to popularization of Karate outside Japan and his students' desire to distinguish his system from others, many adapted Master Funakoshi's dojo (school) name, Shotokan, to identify the style.
Master Funakoshi would sign his poems and calligraphy works with a penname "Shoto" or "the pine wave", which symbolized the soothing sound of wind moving through the pine forest in his native Okinawa. The suffix "kan", refers to "hall" and used to designate training hall or gathering place. Thus combined Shotokan means, "pine wave hall" or "Shoto's hall". It's pronounced, shoh-toe-kah'n.
Traditional Karate -South Atlantic Region (SAR)
SAR consists of four southeastern states, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida and is the regional representative for the American Amateur Karate Federation (AAKF). AAKF is the governing body of Traditional Karate in the United States. The AAKF is the sole United States representative for the International Traditional Karate Federation (ITKF). ITKF is the world governing body.
TK-SAR is a style organization that oversees the technical development of the SAR. Since its inception all of the dojos (schools) have been taught and managed by the instructors who are active both regionally and nationally.
