Japan Shotokan Karate Association 

The Legacy

FUNAKOSHI Gichin (1868-1957)

Funakoshi Gichin is widely considered as the "father" of modern day karate. He was born in Okinawa in 1868. He learnt karate from two old masters, Itosu Yasutsune (Ankoh) and Azato Yasutsune (Anko), in Okinawa. Funakoshi modified the art, taking inspiration from traditional Japanese budo (kendo, judo, etc) and emphasising the philosophical aspects. It was this new karate-do that he took to the Japan and was the first expert to introduce the art to mainland Japan. In 1916 he gave a demonstration to the Butokuden in Kyoto, Japan, which at that time was the official centre of all martial arts. On March 6, 1921, the Crown Prince, who was later to become the Emperor of Japan, visited Okinawa and Funakoshi, Shihan was asked to demonstrate karate. In the early spring of 1922 Funakoshi, Shihan travelled to Tokyo to present his art at the First National Athletic exhibition in Tokyo organized by the Ministry of Education. For Funakoshi, Shihan the word karate eventually took on a deeper and broader meaning through the synthesis of these many methods, becoming karate-do, literally the "way of karate," or of the empty hand. Training in karate-do became an education for life itself. Funakoshi, Shihan taught only one method, a total discipline, which represented a synthesis of Okinaawan karate styles. This method became known as Shotokan, It was through Funakoshi’s hard work that in 1948, the Japan Karate Association (JKA) was established. The establishment of the JKA lead the way to the spread of karate throughout the world. Nakayama Masatoshi, one of Funakoshi's greatest students, succeeded him as the head of the JKA.

NAKAYAMA Masatoshi 10th Dan (1913-1987)

Nakayama Masatoshi, Sensei was born in 1913 and began training in Karate under master Funakoshi Gichin in 1931. After graduating from Takashoku University in 1937 he went to Peking to study Chinese, whilst there he also studied various styles of Chinese fighting. He became the 1st Chief Instructor of the JKA after Sensei Funakoshi, Sensei passed away in November 1957. He was responsible for the global dissemination of Karate in the 1960's and 1970's, and for placing it on a firm scientific foundation after performing an in-depth study of the principles of Kinesiology, Anatomy, Psychology & Physics involved in Karate training. He has published a number of books including "Dynamic Karate", an in-depth study of Kihon (basics) and produced videos providing detailed technical and practical information on Kata, Kihon and Kumite. Masatoshi Nakayama, Sensei passed away on April 15th, 1987 at the age of 74. The "JKA Instructor Course" started by the late Masatoshi Nakayama, Sensei enrolled the most promising students in this full time program. Upon completion of the program, these graduates became ambassadors of JKA Shotokan Karate, introducing Shotokan to the world. One of the most famous graduates is Abe Keigo Sensei 8th Dan who, as a direct student of Nakayama Shihan, is one of the few senior Shotokan karateka in the world today following his teachings.

ABE Keigo 8th Dan (1938 –to Date)

Born on October 28th 1938 in, Iyoshi, in Ehime Prefecture on the island of Shikoken. As direct student of Nakayama Masotoshi, he was a graduate of the JKA instructors programme in 1965, raising to the office of JKA Director of Qualifications and then Technical Director of the JKA (Matsuno section). He teaches Shotokan in the style of the old masters and follows the teachings of Nakayama Shihan. The Japan Shotokan Karate Association therefore upholds the old values of traditional Shotokan karate and thus continues the legacy.