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The History of Shotokan Karate

Karate consists of many different overlapping schools or styles that can all trace their origins to systems of civilian self defence developed in Okinawa. Karate itself is not one single martial arts style but a generic term, like ‘Kung Fu’, so there are many differences between the different styles. New styles have been created throughout the history of karate depending on whether instructors choose to remain rigidly with the systems they were taught, or adapt according to their own knowledge, preferences and training aims.

The karate that the Okinawans practiced was a fusion of their own fighting methods and those gained from studying under foreign teachers, predominantly from mainland China. Karate could accurately be described as the MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) of the 19th and early 20th century. Karate was introduced to mainland Japan in 1922 by a number of Okinawan teachers and this movement affected both the systems based on Okinawa as well the new ones that grew up in Japan. Both Okinawan and Japanese karate systems are now practiced worldwide.

Shotokan Karate is a Japanese style of karate developed from the teachings of Gichin Funakoshi and his son Gigo Funakoshi in the first half of the Twentieth century. The Shotokan was the name of the first official dojo built by Gichin Funakoshi, in 1936 at Mejiro, and destroyed in 1945 as a result of an allied bombing in World War II. ‘Shoto’, meaning “pine-waves” (the movement of pine needles when the wind blows through them), was Funakoshi’s pen-name and ‘kan’ means “house” or “hall”. In honor of their teacher, Funakoshi’s students created a sign reading shōtō-kan, which they placed above the entrance of the hall where Funakoshi taught. Gichin Funakoshi did not believe in ‘styles’ of karate and taught it primarily as a form of character improvement through physical development and never gave his system a name, just calling it ‘karate’. During his lifetime he taught a syllabus that included kata taken from a number of different Okinawan karate teachers and Shotokan Karate could very accurately be described as a Mixed Martial Art.

Gichin Funakoshi had many students at the university martial arts clubs and outside dojos in Japan, who continued to teach karate after his death in 1957. Internal disagreements led to the creation of different organisations even before his death, such as the initial split between the Japan Karate Association (then headed by Masatoshi Nakayama) and the Shotokai (then headed by Motonobu Hironishi and Shigeru Egami). As a result there are many different ‘schools’ of Shotokan, and even in the UK there are many different Shotokan karate groups of varying sizes, some of which are still linked to the JKA and others that have split away over the last sixty years. There is no universally recognised national or international governing body for Shotokan Karate. Most modern Shotokan differs considerably from the older grappling and striking Shotokan of Gichin Funakoshi’s 1935 Karate Do Kyohan which is the type of karate taught in the Practical Karate Association. We call the Karate we teach in High Wycombe and Princes Risborough ‘Kyohan Shotokan Karate’ in reference to the hard and soft grappling and striking style illustrated there.

Shotokan Karate is well known for its sporting competitions that focus on the disciplines of kata performance and sparring. This is particularly true of associations that are members of or retain a similar ethos to the Japanese Karate Association. Not all Shotokan organisations compete however, and many (particularly some of the more modern groups) have gone back to focusing on the kata as a template for techniques and tactics for self defence. In the Practical Karate Association’s Shotokan we focus on karate as a method of close quarter self defence and a health improving form of physical exercise.

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Testimonials …

Fully endorse it

This is my third time visiting with John. Excellent session as ever, development of everybody that comes up here. It is a challenge for any martial artist to come and test what they’ve done through… the years, and see how they cope in enclosed environments and tough challenging situations, wearing the body armour just makes it so much more real for people. Fully endorse it. Thank you John. Read more “Fully endorse it”

Alan Murphy
7th Dan, Mushin Bushikan JuJitsu
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very relevant

My son trains with Dr Titchen and from what I’ve seen, his classes are very relevant to the name of the club.

Andrew Pinto
Parent
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excellent class

Excellent class based around practical skills for self defence against likely scenarios that most people would see, (without ending up in prison yourself!) Nobody dressing up and playing “special forces” here 🙂 just sound advice… and sound training. Read more “excellent class”

Robert Davis
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perfect self-defence skills

Sensei John Titchen has been training my son for three years now. John’s sessions are engaging and the drills help perfect self-defence skills for many varied (and dangerous) real-life situations. My son’s self-confidence and defense… technique have grown immensely thanks to John’s advice and tutoring. Read more “perfect self-defence skills”

Daiva Simaite
Parent
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an excellent club

An excellent club to learn how to defend yourself as well as spot and prevent dangerous situations from escalating. Highly recommended for anyone wishing to improve their fitness, learn an extremely effective (and fun!) martial… art and participate in real life scenarios allowing you to see ow you personally perform under pressure. Read more “an excellent club”

Robbie
Former Student
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learnt a huge amount

I have been a long-term member and have learnt a huge amount about self-defence and how to keep myself safe anywhere.

Alex
Former Student
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a brilliant system

A brilliant system, school and instructor. Run by a very intelligent, patient and thoughtful martial artist with a wealth of knowledge and expertise, able to mix the influence of other arts when necessary, whilst still… retaining very pure karate form when required. I will always encourage others to go and train at any events involving John and these guys whenever possible! Read more “a brilliant system”

Thomas Vincent
Mushin Bushikan JuJitsu.
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fantastic

Sensei John was fantastic as an instructor and as a person. His teaching method was structured and pleasant and kept all of us involved and interested throughout.

Sensei Jesmond Schembri
4th Dan, Malta Karate Federation.
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enjoyable and rewarding

My second simday, another enjoyable and rewarding day. It reassured many aspects of my training under pressure. It also showed some weaknesses and areas to concentrate on. Again loads to take away. I highly recommend… John Titchen’s Simday, if you want to test what you think you do. Read more “enjoyable and rewarding”

Graham Palmer
5th Dan, Norwich Shotokan Karate Club.
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a true understanding of his subject matter

I have been training in the martial arts for over twenty years and have been fortunate enough to have had some very good instructors. It is not often that I am truly impressed by another… instructor, but John Titchen struck me as being on a different level to most. A true understanding of his subject matter, backed up by a very impressive CV. Since training with John and his students I am keen to expose my own students to his training. Read more “a true understanding of his subject matter”

Simon Sheridan
Chief Instructor, HAVOC Jeet Kune Do UK.
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a fantastic experience

Sensei John delivered a remarkable seminar, leaving us with a deeper understanding of the 5 Shotokan Heian Kata. His knowledge on the subject is staggering, spanning some 25 years of training. His teaching method was… structured and pleasant and kept all of us involved and interested throughout. It was a fantastic experience for all who took part. Truly an amazing experience for us all by a gentleman Sensei who not only shared with us openly an integrated system of Heian applications to make our Karate more complete, but also taught us invaluable life lessons with his example, attitude and indomitable spirit. Thank You Sensei John. Read more “a fantastic experience”

Sensei James Galea
6th Dan, Malta Karate Federation.
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physically tough and emotionally challenging

One of the most enjoyable days training ever, after many years of traditional tkd training this felt like the missing piece of the jigsaw! Well constructed with good feedback, a great leveller, physically tough and… emotionally challenging but ultimately most enlightening……. must come back! Read more “physically tough and emotionally challenging”

Tom Coleman
7th Dan, Tae Kwon Do Association of Great Britain.
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The ‘go to’ guy

Karate is undergoing a revolution. Not a revolution that uproots the past, but instead one that returns to the past to water the roots of our tradition so that, after decades of stasis, it may… grow and flourish. There is no doubt in my mind that John Titchen is one of the leading lights of this modern revolution (re-evolution?). John is someone who I always enjoy discussing karate and self-protection with. Every time we talk in person or online I find myself reassured by our commonalities and excited by our divergences. John is also someone who, to me, embodies the warrior spirit. Easygoing and thoughtful in nature, but who has a determination and love of what he does that is as infectious as it is inspirational.”
John Titchen and his scenario training is excellent. John would probably be, in the UK at least, the go to guy (for Scenario training). Instructors want to know what they are teaching is realistic, but how can they be sure if they’ve never had been involved in a real situation? Getting involved in real situations is obviously not the answer! So how to we solve the seeming paradox of wanting to gain the vital experience needed without doing anything illegal, stupid or unethical? The answer is realistic simulation training and, for my money, John Titchen is the number 1 guy when it comes to providing such training in a professional, realistic and ego free way
Read more “The ‘go to’ guy”

Iain Abernethy
7th Dan, British Combat Karate Association.
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wholeheartedly endorse

I am the Canadian Director of the Jeet Kune Do Athletic Association and have been involved in martial arts and Law Enforcement for many years now (far too many than I care to mention). John… is someone who I have known for some time now and I wholeheartedly endorse his approach and his teachings. Everyone – especially “seasoned” or experienced martial artists – should train with John any chance they get to see how much of what they know is applicable and more importantly how much isn’t. I don’t endorse many people, and believe me I do get asked a lot; this is one I am happy to offer without being asked Read more “wholeheartedly endorse”

Sifu Jay Cooper
Canadian Director of the Jeet Kune Do Athletic Association.
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