Shotokan Karate

The creator of Shotokan was Gichin Funakoshi; a teacher, a poet (under the pen name 'Shoto') and martial arts aficionado from Okinawa. Early in life, Funakoshi states that he learned two different forms of Okinawan martial art. From Yasutsune Azato he learned Shuri-te and from Yasutsune Itosu he learned Naha-te. Each of these forms differs in their application and were taught in Shuri and Naha cities in Okinawa, respectively. Shuri-te was a hard, linear style whereas Naha-te was a softer, circular style. In his book Karate-do, My Way Of Life, Funakoshi states that these two arts grew into what is known today as Shorei-Ryu and Shorin-Ryu.

Legend states that these styles are ancient arts. While they may have some influences from more ancient arts, according to Bruce Clayton (Shotokan's Secret), Shuri-te was developed in the mid-1800s, largely by Sokon Matsumura. While some form of martial art was taught in Naha during the same time, "Naha-te" was first taught in 1902 by Kanryu Higaonna. At that time, Naha-te was largely imported White Crane Chuan-Fa (Kung Fu).

According to Clayton, the true history of Shotokan is rooted deeply in Shuri-te and on a pivotal event in 1853. While legends may state that Okinawa was the birth place of secret martial arts, the facts are the Okinawa spent most of its history as occupied territory. In the 7^th century China conquered Okinawa. In 1477, Sho En petitioned the Ming Dynasty requesting to be the King of Okinawa. His petition was approved. His son , Sho Shin transformed Okinawa from a land of bickering warlords into a unified country, building a castle in Shuri, gathering all the warlords into government service around him at the castle and collecting all their weapons; effectively disarming them. In 1609, Japanese Shogun invaded Okinawa. China, not looking for a war with Japan turned a blind eye. While Okinawa was a territory of China, it was effectively run by Japanese Shogun. For obvious reasons, neither China nor the Japanese Shogun allowed Okinawans to have arms. The stage was now set for the beginnings of Shotokan.

In this environment the Okinawan king’s bodyguards did their best to protect their king while remaining unarmed. Some time after 1828, a man named Sokon Matsumura is assigned chief of the garrison for Shuri castle. As such, he leads the king’s body guards. Matsumura uses techniques learned from various martial arts to defend the king. On June 6, 1853, U.S. Commodore Mathew Perry sails into Okinawa and requests to see the king. Perry has been sent by the U.S. to open trade with Japan and he wants to establish a resupply point in the area. He chooses Okinawa. With neither China, nor the Japanese Shogun wishing contact with the west, Perry’s request is denied. Perry assembles a "parade" consisting of two companies of marines, 50 sailors, a brass band and at least one cannon and marches to Shuri castle to repeat his request. At gunpoint, the regent agrees to meet with Perry. History records that the meeting on June 6, 1853 went without incident, however it left a serious impression on the chief of the garrison, Matsumura.

June 7, 1853 should be marked as the birthday of what would become Shotokan. Sokon Matsumura uses the Perry incident as a basis to modify what martial arts techniques have been used up to this point (largely imported White Crain Chuan-Fa with some influence of the odd techniques learned for visiting pirates and sailors) with the intent of developing a new style of fighting. In the years following June 6, 1853, Matsumura developed a hard, linear style of martial art designed, not to subdue individuals, but destroy them as quickly as possible. Matsumura developed a style to be employed by bodyguards. The bodyguards could not afford to subdue attackers. To do so would require one bodyguard per attacker. Matsumura’s style relied on bodyguards destroying (killing or disabling) attackers.In general, Matsumura’s new style appears to have been developed to kill or disbale multiple attackers quickly, create confusion and retreat with the principle (king).

This style of martial art, Shuri-te, was taught to Gichin Funakoshi first by Yasutsune Azato, the Military Attache and advisor to the king and then by Yasutsune Itosu the personal secretary to the king. Being close to the king both Azato and Itosu had been taught by Sokon Matsumura. In his book Karate-do, My Way Of Life, Gichin Funakoshi mentions other teachers under whom he trained. These include Master Kiyuna, Master Toonno, Master Niigaki and Master Matsumura, himself.

Combining what he learned from Azato, Itosu and others, Gichin Funakoshi began teaching what he simply called Karate. The word Karate is formed from two kanji. The first kanji, "Kara" , means open or empty. The second, "Te" , means hand. Karate has therefore been translated as Open Hand or Empty Hand. The kanji for Kara can also be interpreted as refereeing to the Ming Dynasty and thus "Kara te" is sometimes translated as Chinese Hands; referring to the influences of Chuan-Fa in Okinawa.

Funakoshi took his martial art to the Japanese mainland in 1917 as part of a series of demonstrations arranged for the Japanese Emperor. He began teaching it there in 1922 where he blended it with the philosophy of the Japanese "do" or "Budo" arts, creating Karate-do as a lifestyle; a way of life, or "do". The new art was called Karate-do. After starting and teaching in various clubs in Japan for some years, a group of his students and supporters, called the "Shotokai", worked to have a dedicated dojo built in Funakoshi’s honor. The dojo was built in 1936 and was named "Shoto-kan"; the house of Shoto. Thereafter, the form of karate taught by Gichin Funakoshi and his followers was known as "Shotokan Karate". The tiger, or "Tora" is the official symbol of Shotokan Karate.

"Karate ni sente nashi" -- There is no first attack in karate.

Shotokan is a powerful form of self defense characterized by deep, strong stances, powerful strikes and kicks of only moderate height. Its strikes are largely full of force with the intention of defeating an opponent in as few moves as possible. There are few moves in Shotokan that do not deliver considerable force on an opponent. The goal of Shotokan is not to deliver a multitude of stinging strikes onto an opponent but to defeat/disable an opponent with one or a few strong strikes. Shotokan, as taught at Maryland Shotokan Karate-do Association, is a martial art and is neither a sport nor competition based.

Maryland Shotokan Karate-do Association Organization

Chief Instructor: James Hopewell

Curriculum Director: Robert Johnson

Technical and Reference Materials: Joe Pirog

Technical Advisor: Frank Pinter

General Administrator & Web Master: D.J. Haslbeck

Lead Instructors: Robert Johnson, John Volz, D.J. Haslbeck

Instructors: Mark Ayers, Joe Pirog, Brian Coblitz (Emeritus), Leo Linton, JR. (Emeritus)

What We Do

Maryland Shotokan Karate-do Association works to promote the art of Shotokan Karate. Shotokan instruction at Maryland Shotokan Karate-do Association is intended to help instill discipline, a sense of respect, improve concentration and build character. The focus of Shotokan is not massing points and winning in competitions or over other opponents. Shotokan karate is a martial art that focuses on protecting oneself by disabling an attacker. While there is no first attack in karate, once attacked the karate-ka (karate practitioner) responds with strikes and moves aimed at disabling an attacker.

"Speed, Power, Focus"

A number of teaching methods are used in teaching Shotokan. Kihon, Kata and Kumite are sometimes referred to as the 3 K’s. Kihon involves teaching and mastering basic individual moves such as a rising block or a lunge punch. A Kata is a series of moves in a specific order that represents an altercation with one or more imaginary opponents. To some, a kata may appear as a dance of sorts. The steps of each kata are learned and must be repeated with precision, accuracy and timing. Kumite, also called sparring, involves applying what one has learned through Kihon and Kata in actual practice against an opponent. Kumite begins more subdued at lower ranks and progresses in speed and intensity at more advanced ranks. At more advanced ranks, karate-ka will practice both full speed and reduced power kumite, and full speed full power kumite without contact.

Where We Are

Maryland Shotokan Karate-do Association currently instructs in three locations in the Baltimore area; Colgate Elementary School, Middleborough Elementary School and Patterson Park Recreation Center. The addresses of each location are:

Colgate Elementary School

401 51st Street, Baltimore, MD 21224

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Middleborough Elementary School

313 West Rd
Baltimore, MD 21221

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New Antioch Church

2401 St. Paul Street

Baltimore, MD 21218

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** Contact Robert Johnson at robertjohnson@facebook.com

Patterson Park Recreation Center

2601 East Baltimore Street

Baltimore, MD 21224

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The days and times of classes for each location are:

Facility	Days	Times
Colgate Elementary School (Dundalk)	Mondays and Wednesdays	6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Middleborough Elementary School (Essex)	Tuesdays & Thursdays	6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Patterson Park Rec. Center (Baltimore City)	Mondays and Wednesdays	6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

Want to Join Us?

Maryland Shotokan Karate-do Association accepts students from age 7 and up. Those wishing to join must fill out and sign the Student Application and Waiver form. Students under 18 years of age must have a parent or legal guardian read and sign the form. All information on this form is kept confidential. Bring the form with you to your first class.

Our Lineage

In 1957, Sensei Robert Lent was the first to introduce Shotokan karate to Maryland. Sensei Lent founded several organizations including Maryland Karate Association, Shotokan Karate Club of Maryland, Maryland Shotokan Karate-do Association, Maryland Shotokai Karate-do Association and Maryland American Shotokan Karate-do Associations. Now in his 80’s, Sensei Lent remains active on Shotokan karate and martial arts.

Some MSKA instructors are also members of the following organizations; the International Society of Okinawan/Japanese Karate-do (ISOK), International Kobudo Association, World Martial Arts Federation, Japanese Karate Association (JKA), International Shotokan Karate-do Federation (ISKF), United States Martial Arts Association and the United States Martial Artist Association.

The following chart shows the lineage of Maryland Shotokan Karate-do Association and International Society of Shotokan Karate-do Senseis (instructors) and black belts as they relate to Shotokan karate. Maryland Shotokan Karate-do Association lineage began with Soke Robert Lent. International Society of Shotokan Karate-do began with Hanshi James Hopewell.

Dojo Kun

The dojo kun are the guiding principles of the dojo (the place where one practices karate), and of karate training in general. Here are the original Shotokan dojo kun established by Gichin Funakoshi:

The dojo kun of the Maryland Shotokan Karate-do Association are taken directly from the original Shotokan dojo kun. You will be expected to know and abide by the dojo kun. The dojo kun of the Maryland Shotokan Karate-do Association is as follows:

Dojo Kun

Seek Perfection of Character

Be Faithful

Endeavor

Respect Others

Refrain From Violent Behavior

Dojo Etiquette

The following are general rules of etiquette followed by most martial arts dojos, however, each dojo may apply these rules of etiquette in a slightly different manner. You will be expected to abide by dojo etiquette.

Remove street shoes upon entering the dojo
Keep the dojo clean. Dispose of all trash.
Place clothing and belongings neatly along the wall.
No smoking or chewing gum in the dojo
Bow upon entering and leaving the dojo to show respect for the use of the facility to practice karate.
Never refer to an instructor by common name while in the dojo. Always use the term "Sensei" or "Sensei…" followed by the Sensei’s name.
No talking among students while class is in session. Questions may be asked where appropriate.
No "horseplay" will be tolerated in the dojo. Karate is a discipline of both mind and body, and as such, demands full concentration and serious effort on the part of the student. Horseplay will only lead to a loss of knowledge and possible injury to oneself or others.
Good hygiene is to be followed. Uniforms are to be kept clean and in good repair. Fingernails and toenails should be kept trimmed to avoid injury during training and hands and feet should be kept clean.
Jewelry should not be worn while training. Jewelry often gets in the way during training and causes otherwise avoidable injuries to oneself or others.

Ranking System

The Maryland Shotokan Karate-do Association employs a ranking system to identify students at various levels of proficiency. Rank is indicated in either KYU or DAN. Ranks below black belt are referred to as KYU (pronounces like the letter Q). Black belt ranks are referred to as DAN (pronounced D-AH-N). All belts are solid in color. There are 9 KYU ranks and 10 Dan ranks (however only 5 are pictured below). No stripes or other indicators are used on the belts to distinguish between 1^st and 2^nd level purple or 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd level brown belts.

Contact Us

Fees are very modest and vary by location. Contact the Maryland Shotokan Karate-do Association at info@mdshotokan.org for more information.