Shotokai

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Historically neither Shotokai nor Shotokan were in fact 'styles' of karate. During the period modern Karate was developed (by Gichin Funakoshi in Japan) there was only one style: the one practised by Funakoshi and it had no name. "Shotokai" was just the name of the association launched by Funakoshi's students, and "Shotokan" the name of its Dojo, "Shoto" being the pseudonym by which Funakoshi used to sign his poems. The name derives from 'Shoto', the pen name of Funakoshi - literally translated as 'pine waves', and 'Kai' meaning group, therefore Shoto's group.

At the Master’s death in 1957, his students split into two factions: on one side the group that was already known as JKA (Japan Karate Association) also known widely as 'Shotokan', and on the other, the Shotokai association which remained faithful to the Master's teachings. One of the stumbling blocks between the two groups was the question, whether competitions were to be introduced or not; Funakoshi always forbade competitions whereas some of his students wanted to organize such events.

Therefore, although Shotokai was originally the name of an association, we can say that it became a style when Master Shigeru Egami defined the broad outlines of the new way of practising he developed after having, in a number of tests, stated the inefficiency of the Karate way of attacking at that time.

After years of research, Master Egami found an efficient way of striking by executing the movement in a relaxed state of mind and body. This is the basis of Shotokai. It is suppleness and relaxation and not tenseness that generate force. Elaborating this basic idea, he suggested new forms of techniques and a new way of practising.

Faithful to Master Funakoshi's teachings, Master Egami always kept the Shotokai group out of the Sports Karate movement which is predominant until today. Rather, his spiritual evolution made him search for harmony with his partner. Master Egami wrote: "First of all, we must practise Karate like a combat technique and then, with time and experience, we will be able to understand a certain state of soul and will be able to open ourselves to the horizons of "Jita-ittai" (the union of one with the other) which lay beyond fighting. This is the principle of coexistence which enables us to live together in prosperity.“ (Source, mainly: KDSE Europe)

[edit] The Style

Shotokai karate differs from much of Shotokan in that it rejects competition altogether, feeling that it compromises Karate itself. Kata are generally the same as other forms of Karate, although Shotokai often emphasizes smooth flowing movements rather than the sharp snappy movements of other styles. Kumite 'sparring' in some Shotokai schools is practiced with full strength attacks, and is tightly controlled in terms of who is attacking and defending and the attacks that can be performed in order to reduce the chance of injury.