Karate Styles – Shōtōkai

Shōtōkai is a traditionalist Japanese karate association that emerged from the broader Shotokan lineage. It is characterised by its adherence to the original teachings and philosophy of its founder, Gichin Funakoshi (船越 義珍), and maintains a conservative approach to the practice and curriculum of karate, distinguishing itself from other more modernised or sport-oriented branches of Shotokan.

Founding and Origins

The Shōtōkai association was established as a more traditionalist Shotokan group under the leadership of Funakoshi Yoshihide, who was succeeded almost immediately by Egami Shigeru. This development occurred in the context of a significant splintering within the Japan Karate Association, which split into at least eight distinct groups, each giving rise to a plethora of smaller organisations claiming to teach Funakoshi’s authentic karate. Shōtōkai represents one of these conservative groups of Karate experts in Japan, standing apart from the more “corporate” associations.

The foundation of Shōtōkai is deeply rooted in the philosophical and technical principles laid down by Gichin Funakoshi.

Philosophically, Funakoshi strongly disapproved of jiyu kumite (free sparring) and the competitiveness it entailed, a stance that aligns with Shōtōkai’s traditional approach. He emphasised kata training and was an advocate for “Karate-dō” (空手道, “empty-hand way”), promoting it as a way of life rather than merely a fighting method. His seminal work, Karate-dō Kyohan, serves as the master text for Shotokan karate and forms the basis of Shōtōkai’s kata curriculum.

Following Gichin Funakoshi‘s passing, Gigō Funakoshi initially led the Shōtōkai association, though he was succeeded almost immediately by Egami Shigeru.

Key Teachers Throughout its History

Egami Shigeru (1912–1981) became a central figure in Shōtōkai, leading the association after Funakoshi Yoshihide. His group was dedicated to perpetuating what they believed to be Gichin Funakoshi‘s authentic karate. Egami Shigeru also contributed significantly to the literary aspect of karate, authoring influential works such as The Way of Karate: Beyond Technique and The Heart of Karate-dō.

While not a direct leader of the main Shōtōkai association, Asai Tetsuhiko is mentioned as the founder of the Japan Karate Shoto-Kai Renmei. This organisation, bearing a similar name, highlights a broader spectrum of traditionalist Shotokan practitioners, although his group and its specific kata creations are distinct from the typical Shōtōkai canon.

Style Characteristics and Differences

Shōtōkai is distinguished by its traditionalist and conservative philosophy. It prioritizes adherence to Gichin Funakoshi‘s original teachings, particularly in its approach to kata and its philosophical underpinnings.

Key characteristics that differentiate Shōtōkai from other styles, especially mainstream Shotokan organisations:

  • Emphasis on Kata Purity: The Shōtōkai’s kata list is derived directly from Funakoshi’s Karate-dō Kyohan, comprising fifteen kata, along with one unique staff kata by Gigo Funakoshi. This contrasts sharply with the typical Japanese corporate Shotokan canon, which includes around twenty-six to twenty-seven kata. Shōtōkai’s “reductionism philosophy” emphasises a narrow curriculum with a very deep practice level.
  • Disapproval of Competition: Reflecting Gichin Funakoshi‘s strong disapproval of jiyu kumite and its associated competitiveness, Shōtōkai generally downplays or omits competitive aspects of karate, focusing instead on personal growth and martial efficacy rooted in traditional forms.
  • Authenticity: Shōtōkai aims to teach Funakoshi’s “authentic karate,” often viewing later developments in other Shotokan groups as deviations from the founder’s original vision.
  • Stance on Kata Modification: While the Japan Karate Shōtōkai Renmei (led by Asai Tetsuhiko) created many new kata, the main Shōtōkai tradition tends to be more conservative, adhering to the established forms from Karate-dō Kyohan. Generally, within traditional karate, there’s a strong belief in the “Principle of Never-Changing Kata,” which holds that altering kata can “defuse original techniques”.

Growth Across Okinawa, Japan, and Worldwide

Shōtōkai originated in Japan as a result of the splintering of the Japan Karate Association. Its primary base of operations and influence remains within Japan, particularly among those who seek to preserve a more traditional interpretation of Gichin Funakoshi‘s karate.

The sources do not provide explicit details about Shōtōkai’s widespread international growth as a distinct organisation, focusing more on its foundational role and internal Japanese development as a traditionalist movement. However, as an offshoot of Shotokan, one of the most widely practiced styles in the world, it would implicitly have a presence where traditional Shotokan is valued.

Katas Associated with the Style

The core of the Shōtōkai kata syllabus is precisely that established in Gichin Funakoshi‘s Karate-dō Kyohan. This curriculum contains fifteen kata.

The commonly accepted Shotokan kata (many of which are in Karate-dō Kyohan) include:

  • Taikyoku Shodan (some lines also include Taikyoku Nidan & Sandan, but Shōtōkai usually keeps only Shodan)
  • Heian Shodan
  • Heian Nidan
  • Heian Sandan
  • Heian Yondan
  • Heian Godan
  • Tekki Series
  • Tekki Shodan
  • Tekki Nidan
  • Tekki Sandan
  • Bassai Dai
  • Kanku Dai
  • Jion
  • Empi (Enpi)
  • Hangetsu
  • Gankaku

Unique Kata to Shōtōkai (or its associated lineage)

While the Japan Karate Shoto-Kai Renmei is a distinct organisation from the primary Shōtōkai, it is associated with a “Shōtōkai” name. Asai Tetsuhiko created a number of kata that are unique to his organisation:

  • Gyaku zuki no kata, Mawari no kata, Kyakusen-shodan, Shinken, Junro-shodan, Junro-nidan, Junro-sandan, Junro-yondan, Junro-godan, Kihoken-issei, Kihoken-nisei, Kihoken-sansei, Meikyo-nidan, Meikyo-sandan, Jurokupo, Joko-issei, Joko-nisei, Joko-sansei, Hachimon, Senka, Rakuyo, Seiryu, Kakuyoku-shodan, Kakuyoku-nidan, Kakuyoku-sandan, Suishu (Mizu no te), Kashu (Hi no te), Roshu (Nami no te), Hushu (Kaze no te), Shoto.

Similar Katas and Differences from Other Organisations

Many kata in Shōtōkai’s curriculum are shared with other Shotokan and Shorin-ryū styles, as they originate from common Okinawan roots:

  • Pinan (Heian) Kata (1-5): These elementary training kata were extracted by Itosu Anko from longer forms like Kūsankū and Channan. The names were changed from Pinan to Heian by Funakoshi. Notably, Gichin Funakoshi transposed the names of Heian Shodan and Heian Nidan in the 1930s, meaning that in Shōtōkai, Heian Shodan is taught before Heian Nidan, which is the reverse of the older Okinawan Tōde and Shitō-ryū traditions, where Pinan Nidan was taught first.
  • Naihanchi (Tekki) Kata: These are fundamental Okinawan kata. Funakoshi renamed Naihanchi to Tekki (“Iron Horse”).
  • Passai (Bassai) Kata: Funakoshi changed the name from Passai to Bassai and introduced “Dai” (big) and “Sho” (small) versions. There are many versions of Bassai (Patsai or Passai on Okinawa), including Oyadomari passai, Tomari Passai, Koryu Passai, Matsumura Passai, and so on, each with fundamental differences.
  • Kūsankū (Kanku) Kata: Funakoshi renamed Kūsankū to Kanku. Kanku-Dai is considered a parent kata for many Shotokan techniques, including those in the Heian series. There are supposedly four versions of Kūsankū kata (Kanku-Dai, Kanku-Sho, Shiho Kosokun, and Yara Kūsankū).
  • Chinto (Gankaku) Kata: Funakoshi renamed Chinto to Gankaku.
  • Rohai (Meikyo) Kata: Funakoshi renamed Rohai to Meikyo (“Bright Mirror”). The Shotokan version is very distinct from the Matsumora or Itosu versions.
  • Seisan (Hangetsu) Kata: Funakoshi renamed Seisan to Hangetsu (“Half Moon”). Hangetsu contains many slow movements under tension, a characteristic more common in Naha-te styles like Gōjū-ryū but rare in Shuri-te influenced styles like Shotokan, making it quite unique within Shotokan.
  • Jion, Jitte, Ji’in: These three kata are considered by some to be different versions of the same fundamental kata, despite Funakoshi classifying them as distinct styles. They share similar opening and closing postures rooted in ancient Chinese boxing and exhibit the same style of movement.

Branches and Official Organisations

The primary organisation referred to as “Shōtōkai” in the sources is the traditionalist association under Egami Shigeru’s leadership, which emerged from the split of the Japan Karate Association. This group continues to teach what they claim is Funakoshi’s authentic karate. The “Official Homepage of Dai Nihon Karate-dō Shōtōkai” is mentioned, indicating a formal organisational structure.

Another organisation, the Japan Karate Shōtōkai (JKS), was founded by Tetsuhiko Asai after the death of Masatoshi Nakayama (a key figure in the Japan Karate Association). While it carries the “Shōtōkai” name, it represents a distinct lineage within the broader Shotokan family, particularly known for Asai’s numerous kata creations.

Legacy

The legacy of Shōtōkai is deeply intertwined with its commitment to preserving the original vision and teachings of Gichin Funakoshi. By adhering to a narrower kata curriculum as outlined in Karate-dō Kyohan and emphasizing a “deep practice level”, Shōtōkai aims to transmit karate as a holistic martial art (Karate-dō) focused on character development, rather than a sport-oriented discipline.

Its traditionalist stance has allowed it to resist the trend of constant kata modification and the emphasis on competition that became prevalent in other karate organisations. In doing so, Shōtōkai serves as a custodian of a specific historical interpretation of Shotokan, offering an alternative path for practitioners seeking to follow Funakoshi’s philosophy of karate as a “way of life” that transcends mere physical technique and competitive success. This dedication ensures that the deeper philosophical and practical aspects, which Funakoshi advocated for, are maintained for future generations.