Shūdōkan, meaning “the hall for the study of the way” or, more figuratively, “the institution for cultivating the way”, is a Japanese karate style founded in the 1930s by Kanken Tōyama (豊山 貫賢). It is officially classified as a Japanese karate style.
Founding and Origins
Shūdōkan was created by Kanken Tōyama in the 1930s. The core philosophy behind its founding was Kanken Tōyama’s belief that there are no distinct “styles” in karate, akin to how there are no styles in sumo wrestling or boxing. Instead, he viewed karate as a unified art, and Shūdōkan was intended to be a setting or institution for the practice and study of all forms of karate, aiming to include all karate developments. This philosophical stance distinguishes Shūdōkan from many other karate systems that emphasise a specific lineage or set of techniques.
Shūdōkan is also recognised as a successor style to Shuri-te, one of the three historical Okinawan Tōde methods from which modern karate largely developed. The influence of Shuri-te, with its roots in Matsumura Soken and Kanga Sakugawa‘s teachings, indicates Shūdōkan’s connection to the older Okinawan traditions.
Kanken Tōyama was a pivotal figure in the early 20th-century development of karate, known for bringing Okinawan unarmed methods to the Japanese mainland in the early 1920s. His vision for Shūdōkan was centered on the idea that karate should not be compartmentalised into rigid “styles,” but rather seen as a universal martial art. He articulated this belief in his book, “Karate Do Daiho Kan,” published in 1963. Toyama’s intent was to foster an environment where practitioners could explore and integrate a wide spectrum of karate techniques and concepts.
In 1940, Kanken Tōyama conducted a demonstration on the Japanese mainland at Kawasaki alongside Seitoku Higa, a significant figure in the Okinawan karate world, whom he later promoted to the grade of Shihan. This collaboration highlights Toyama’s active role in promoting and legitimizing karate beyond Okinawa.
Key Teachers Throughout its History
Ichikawa Isao emerged as a central figure in the lineage of Shūdōkan, serving as Kanken Tōyama’s uchi deshi (internal disciple). Following Toyama Sensei’s passing in the late 1960s, Ichikawa Isao perpetuated his master’s expansive vision. He established Doshinkan Karatedo in the Shūdōkan tradition in Europe, with its administrative headquarters and central training hall (honbu dojo) located in Vienna, Austria. This demonstrates the early international expansion of the Shūdōkan tradition.
Upon Ichikawa Isao’s death in 1996, his brother, Ichikawa Nobuo, assumed leadership of the Doshinkan organisation, continuing to guide it until his own passing in 2019.
Style Characteristics and Differences
Shūdōkan is notably distinct due to its founder’s “open system of katas” philosophy. Unlike “curriculum-based kata systems” that feature a defined, closed curriculum of kata designed to progressively train specific muscle groups and techniques, Kanken Tōyama regarded Shūdōkan not as a “style” but as a flexible framework for practicing all forms of karate. This approach meant that the style aimed to incorporate and adapt various karate developments rather than adhering to a fixed set of forms.
Within the Doshinkan Karatedo branch, for instance, the emphasis is placed on an individual path of personal growth and character development, where the execution of techniques for maximal impact in the most efficient way is not the primary purpose of training. This differs significantly from styles that prioritize combat effectiveness and destructive power in every move.
A notable aspect of kata within the Shūdōkan tradition is its interpretation of the Pinan (Heian) kata series. The Shūdōkan style is considered closer to the original Okinawan Tōde, and therefore maintains an older ordering of these kata, where Pinan Nidan was taught before Pinan Shodan. This contrasts with modern Shotokan, where these two kata have had their names transposed, resulting in a reversed learning order. This difference points to a direct link with earlier Okinawan pedagogical practices.
Growth Across Okinawa, Japan, and Worldwide
Kanken Tōyama’s initial efforts helped bring Okinawan karate to mainland Japan, laying the groundwork for Shūdōkan’s establishment and growth there. The style’s international expansion is most clearly evident through the establishment of Doshinkan Karatedo in Europe by Ichikawa Isao, with its honbu dojo in Vienna, Austria. This demonstrates that the Shūdōkan tradition found a significant foothold outside of Japan, particularly in the European martial arts community.
Katas Associated with the Style
Given Kanken Tōyama’s philosophy of an “open kata system” designed to include all karate developments, Shūdōkan generally embraces a wide range of kata.
Katas practiced within the Doshinkan Karatedo branch include:
- Many classical kata: These encompass traditional forms that have been passed down through generations.
- Some kata that have been lost over time: These are unique to Doshinkan today, implying a significant role in preserving historical forms.
- Kata that Ichikawa Sensei developed after Toyama Sensei’s death: These represent the style’s continued evolution under its subsequent leadership.
- Kata that Ichikawa Sensei modified from their classical format: These reflect unique interpretations and adaptations within Doshinkan.
Specific Kata (and their characteristics):
- Pinan (Heian) Kata (1-5): These elementary training kata were extracted by Itosu Anko from longer forms like Kūsankū and Channan. As mentioned, the Shūdōkan style maintains an older ordering where Heian Nidan was originally Heian Shodan. This indicates a consistency with the original Okinawan Tōde and differs from modern Shotokan‘s transposed order.
While some sources mention Yasuhiro Konishi (founder of Shindō Jinen-ryū) created Tai Sabaki Shodan, Tai Sabaki Nidan, and Tai Sabaki Sandan—kata notable for being “unbroken sequence[s] of actions”—Konishi trained under several masters including Gichin Funakoshi, Motobu Choki, Kenwa Mabuni, Morihei Ueshiba, and Chōjun Miyagi. Although Shūdōkan is listed as a recognised style, the provided sources do not explicitly state that these Tai Sabaki kata are formally part of the Shūdōkan curriculum.
Unique and Similar Katas
The Doshinkan Karatedo branch is noted for preserving classical kata, including some that have been lost over time and are today only taught in Karatedo Doshinkan. This implies that some kata within this branch are unique in their continued practice.
Furthermore, Ichikawa Isao of Doshinkan modified classical kata. The effectiveness of such modifications is a point of debate, with some arguing that altering kata can detract from their original combat merit, transforming them into mere “competition showmanship”. This suggests that Doshinkan’s modified kata may differ significantly in technique and intent from their original forms or from versions practiced in other traditional organisations.
Branches and Official Organisations
The primary branch of Shūdōkan is Doshinkan Karatedo. It was founded by Ichikawa Isao, who was Kanken Tōyama’s uchi deshi. Doshinkan operates with its honbu dojo (administrative headquarters and central training hall) in Vienna, Austria. This organisation was led by Ichikawa Isao and, after his passing in 1996, by his brother Ichikawa Nobuo until 2019. Doshinkan Karatedo is described as an “open kata system” following the Shūdōkan tradition.
Legacy
The legacy of Shūdōkan, primarily through its founder Kanken Tōyama, lies in its philosophical challenge to the concept of rigid “styles” in karate. Kanken Tōyama advocated for karate as a holistic martial art, a “hall for the study of the way” that encompasses all developments in karate rather than limiting itself to a fixed curriculum. This inclusive perspective has been carried forward by his successors, particularly within the Doshinkan Karatedo branch, which prides itself on preserving classical and even “lost” kata, while also evolving through modifications and new kata development.
As a successor to the Shuri-te lineage, Shūdōkan represents a continuation of ancient Okinawan martial traditions, adapted and transmitted through its unique interpretative framework. The dedication of its teachers, such as Ichikawa Isao and Ichikawa Nobuo, to bringing the Shūdōkan tradition to Europe, further solidifies its enduring international legacy in the martial arts world.
Karate Kata Step By Step 