Gichin Funakoshi was born on 10 November 1868 in Okinawa, Japan, and is universally recognised as the father of modern Karate. He was the founder of Shotokan Karate-do - the world's most widely practised karate style - and the key figure in bringing karate from Okinawa to mainland Japan.
In 1922 he travelled to Tokyo to demonstrate karate at the First National Athletic Exhibition, marking the beginning of karate's journey to the Japanese mainland. His teachings and philosophy formed the foundation of Shotokan Karate-do - the name 'Shotokan' derived from his pen name Shoto, meaning 'pine waves'.
Funakoshi taught karate at several prestigious Japanese universities including Keio and Takushoku, and in 1949 the Japan Karate Association (JKA) was established with him as honorary head.
His famous principle: "Karate is not about winning or losing; it's about the improvement of the character of its participants." He died on 26 April 1957 in Tokyo, but his legacy lives on through the millions of Shotokan practitioners worldwide.
In 1922 he travelled to Tokyo to demonstrate karate at the First National Athletic Exhibition, marking the beginning of karate's journey to the Japanese mainland. His teachings and philosophy formed the foundation of Shotokan Karate-do - the name 'Shotokan' derived from his pen name Shoto, meaning 'pine waves'.
Funakoshi taught karate at several prestigious Japanese universities including Keio and Takushoku, and in 1949 the Japan Karate Association (JKA) was established with him as honorary head.
His famous principle: "Karate is not about winning or losing; it's about the improvement of the character of its participants." He died on 26 April 1957 in Tokyo, but his legacy lives on through the millions of Shotokan practitioners worldwide.