My Shotokan Story - What Started Me On My Path

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My Shotokan Story

(What Got Me Started On My Path)

 

NOTE: You should understand that my teaching style is often VERY direct. At times, I even use explicit language…which may offend some people. This teaching style often goes against what many people “expect” from a teacher or instructor. And, sometimes this offends what many people in the West call “the Ego”. If this teaching style is NOT for you then I strongly encourage you to find another teacher that better matches your current needs and expectations.

I feel like the disclaimer above is, again, needed for this post. My comments below about Shotokan (and Tae Kwon Do) might anger some folks. They may find those comments to be rude or disrespectful. Please do know that this is NOT my intent. I am not trying to be bombastic. But, I have promised to tell everyone the truth and to NOT deal with any BS. I have also said very clearly that you SHOULD question everything that I say. If my comments anger or upset you, then I challenge you to do the HONEST research behind both systems and see if “your truth” still holds water.

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Shotokan1松濤 – Shoto – translates to “pine waves” and kan – 館 – which translates to “house” or “hall”.…many folks that are familiar with me might be surprised that this was the first martial art that I studied.

(for another time…stay tuned)

Tae Kwon Do Side Kick

Tae Kwon Do Founder

Tae Kwon Do

Old school vs Modern TKD (1999 vs 2021)
Old school vs Modern TKD (1999 vs 2021)

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Shotokan Karate-do History

Shotokan Founder - Funakoshi Gichin

Funakoshi Gichin

Founder – Shotokan Karate-do

Father of Modern Karate

black belt

tiger

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Funakoshi Shotokan Karate Association

Kenneth Funakoshi - Shotokan

Funakoshi Shotokan Karate Association

Kenneth Funakoshi

Shihan, 9th dan (九段)

Shotokan Karate-do

Shotokan Asai Sensei

Asai Tetsuhiko

浅井 哲彦

(June 7, 1935 – August 15, 2006)

Shihan, 9th dan (九段)

Japan Karate Shoto-Renmei

Kodawari Hombu Dojo

Asai Sensei The Greatest Karate Master in the World
Asai Sensei The Greatest Karate Master in the World

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Kodawari Hombu Dojo Moral of the Story

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Remember!

It’s Shotokan Karate-do

That Makes A Difference!

 

Shotokan Karate-do Dojo Kun

Shotokan Karate-do Dojo Kun

To get an idea as to what I am referring to, one only need to look to the Shotokan Karate-do Dojo Kun.2If you are not familiar, Dojo Kun – 道場訓 – translates (roughly) to “training hall rules” or (very specifically) to “place of the way doctrine”, “place of the way precept(s)” or “place of the way lesson(s)”. These are verbal affirmations that are usually recited by all of the students and usually at the end of each training session. You will also often find the Dojo Kun of a school or style printed and displayed within a dojo, normally some where at or near the entrance (genkan – 玄関) of the dojo and/or at the shomen (正面) or front of the dojo where students bow towards at the end of the class. Shown above is the Shotokan Karate-do Dojo Kun as passed down by Funakoshi Gichin.

人格完成に勤むること

Jinkaku Kansei ni Tsutmuru koto

Seek Perfection of Character

 

誠の道を守ること

Makoto no michi wo mamoru koto

Be Faithful

 

If you have not read it yet, the post What’s In A Name Part I – Kodawari Hombu Dojo might be of interest to you and you can read it by clicking below (or using the text link).

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Other than a brief stint in Tae Kwon Do, the first martial art that I studied was Shotokan Karate-do.

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  • 1
    松濤 – Shoto – translates to “pine waves” and kan – 館 – which translates to “house” or “hall”.
  • 2
    If you are not familiar, Dojo Kun – 道場訓 – translates (roughly) to “training hall rules” or (very specifically) to “place of the way doctrine”, “place of the way precept(s)” or “place of the way lesson(s)”. These are verbal affirmations that are usually recited by all of the students and usually at the end of each training session. You will also often find the Dojo Kun of a school or style printed and displayed within a dojo, normally some where at or near the entrance (genkan – 玄関) of the dojo and/or at the shomen (正面) or front of the dojo where students bow towards at the end of the class.
  • 1
    松濤 – Shoto – translates to “pine waves” and kan – 館 – which translates to “house” or “hall”.
  • 2
    If you are not familiar, Dojo Kun – 道場訓 – translates (roughly) to “training hall rules” or (very specifically) to “place of the way doctrine”, “place of the way precept(s)” or “place of the way lesson(s)”. These are verbal affirmations that are usually recited by all of the students and usually at the end of each training session. You will also often find the Dojo Kun of a school or style printed and displayed within a dojo, normally some where at or near the entrance (genkan – 玄関) of the dojo and/or at the shomen (正面) or front of the dojo where students bow towards at the end of the class.

About Michael Davis

Michael Davis
Beginning his martial training almost 50 years ago, Michael Davis has spent almost his entire adult life attempting to internalize, add to and propagate the body of knowledge that makes up the principles and techniques of the life preserving combative arts and sciences. Michael has taught or assisted with the teaching of seminars and events in 17 US states and four countries. In addition to training every day martial artists, he has taught members of the US military as well as law enforcement at every level...from local LEOs to Federal Marshalls and US Secret Service agents (protective detail). He has co-authored a martial arts book, written numerous magazine articles that were published internationally as well as appearing in and assisting with the production of martial arts videos and other training materials.
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