Shotokan is the "authorized" Japanese style of karate. It is an Okinawan style
founded by Gichin Funakoshi. Shoto was the pen name of Funakoshi. He combined
shorin and shorei to a style that would accommodate all body structures.
According to Funakoshi "The art of karate strives neither for victory, nor for
defeat, but for the perfection of the character of its practitioners."  Shotokan is a
"hard" linear style that is a true "empty hand" art, it does not include weapons
training. Although originally known for its a lethal attacks, dynamic entry
techniques, and its theory of "one strike, one kill," similar to other martial arts, it
has evolved into a sport. Shotokan training emphasizes mastering a few techniques
rather than learning many techniques.

Shotokai and Shotokan are two names for the same thing. Shotokai is the name of
the Organization established in 1935 to raise funds for the building of Funakoshi's
main training hall. Gichin Funakoshi held only two positions during his lifetime:
one as head instructor of the Shotokan Dojo and the other as director of the
Shotokai school.

Shotokan is the name of the building finished in 1936 that was the result of the
work done by this organization.  In time, people who trained in karate were not
only known for practicing karate but also began to be related to different "styles,"
even though Gichin Funakoshi was against this. His students began to be known as
of the "Shotokan ," the place where they trained, or "Shotokan -ryu", the
Shotokan style.

After Master Gichin Funakoshi's death in 1957, Shotokai was heir of his symbol
(O-sensei's tiger), the Shotokan and Shotokai names, and more importantly, all his
documents and writings, which is why Shotokai is in charge of editing and
publishing his works. Shotokai's headquarters in Japan is still the Shotokan dojo,
although it has been reconstructed since the original one burned during a World
War II bombing. The Shotokan name has been misused by many groups with no
respect for Master Funakoshi or his families wishes. For this reason, many
uninformed people relate Gichin Funakoshi with sport karate, something he was
strongly against.
    SHOTOKAN
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Founder of SHOTOKAN
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Origins
Fighting forms have existed in Japan for at least a millennium, (further back
records are not reliable). The first references to such unarmed combat arts or
systems can be found in the earliest purported historical records of Japan, the
Kojiki (Record of Ancient Matters) and the Nihon Shoki (Chronicles of Japan),
which relate the mythological creation of the country and the establishment of the
Imperial family. Other glimpses can be found in the older records and pictures
depicting sumai (or sumo) no sechie, a rite of the Imperial Court in Nara and
Kyoto performed for purposes of divination and to help ensure a bountiful harvest.

Reportedly, a warrior Nomi no Sekuni of Izumo defeated and killed Tajima no
Kehaya in Shimane prefecture while in the presence of Emperor Suinin.
Descriptions of the techniques used during this encounter included striking,
throwing, restraining and weaponry. These systems of unarmed combat began to
be known as Nihon koryu jūjutsu (Japanese old-style jutsu), among other related
terms, during the Muromachi period (1333-1573), according to densho
(transmission scrolls) of the various ryuha (martial traditions) and historical
records.

Most of these were battlefield-based systems to be practiced as companion arts to
the more common and vital weapon systems. These fighting arts actually used
many different names. Kogusoku, yawara, kumiuchi, and hakuda are just a few,
but all of these systems fall under the general description of Sengoku jūjutsu.
These grappling systems were only one component of the Samurai's training,
whereby an unarmed or lightly armed warrior could hope to defend himself against
a heavily armed and armored enemy on the battlefield. Ideally, the samurai would
be armed and would not need to rely on such techniques.
History of jujutsu

SHOTOKAN and JIU-JITSU
HISTORY
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