Shotokan Kempo Connection
To All, In the last couple of years I have began studying Shotokan, and as with all arts I study I like to learn as much about them as I can. The following exerpt was written by Gichen Funakoshi (founder of shotokan) himself "... it is known that, for many centuries, okinawa engaged in trade with the people of Fukien Province in southern China. And it was probably from this source that Chinese Kempo ("Boxing") was introduced into the islands. It was from kempo that the present day karate evolved. It was first known as "okinawate", and I recall, when I was a child, hearing my elders speak of both "okinawate " and "karate" ( the kara in this case referring to china). I began to think of okinawate as an indigenous okinawan fighting art, and karate as a chinese form of boxing. In any case I perceived a clear distinction between the two.... ... the Japanese language is not an easy one to master... a single character may have many different pronunciations depending upon the use. The expression karate is an exellent example. Te is easy enough it means hands. But there are two quite different characters that are both pronounced kara. One means empty, and the other is the chinese character referring to the Tang Dynasty and may be translated chinese.... in the early 1920's it was customary to use the character for chinese rather than empty to write karate..." -Gichen Funakoshi These are the words written by a master who was training Martial arts a half a century before I was even born. It is neat to see him reffering to kempo, and also to see him translate karate as chinese hands. One other interesting side note, Funakoshi also wrote a book in 1922. It was published by Bukyosha and it was titled Ryukyu Kempo: Karate sifu shawn

Hello Sifu Shawn, That is very interesting. I studied Shotokan briefly at the Y.M.C.A. when I was young. As a matter of fact, the first time I ever saw anyone performing Karate, it was there. Also the first time I ever saw a multiple kick performed too. These two kids in my class were talking out of turn and the Sensie told them to be quiet. They didn’t hear him so he tapped them both in the belly. He used a left leg roundhouse kick and turned it into a left leg side kick. Although it wasn’t particularly good coaching, I was still impressed. All I could think of was, “How can I learn to do that?” I have also learned that several karate greats were Funakoshi’s students. This would include Mas Oyama, among others. Regards, MrE2Me2

To all, The following is not a criticism. No disapproval is intended (so please don’t take it that way). Here is a vid on Shotokan Karate kicking techniques. It focuses on the basic three kicks, front, round and side. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGOxP7Z8nYI Notice the kicker after he is finished with his kick. He will often fall forward to a bow. I was taught that this was an incorrect way to move. I was taught it would leave me vulnerable to counters as I fell. Instead I was taught to drop the leg to neutral or possibly a cat. The only exceptions to this were the long front thrust kick and certain flying kicks. Comments? Regards, MrE2Me2