Heroes from History: Funakoshi Gichin 船越儀珍 Father of Modern Karate 日本空手道

Funakoshi Gichin 船越儀珍
1868 to 1957

If there is one man who can be credited with bringing the martial art of Karate 空手道 to Japan and the world, that man is Funakoshi Gichin. Master Funakoshi lived from 1868 to 1957. In 1922, at the age of 53 years old he introduced karate to Japan from Okinawa. Yes, that is correct. Karate-do is not a long-standing traditional Japanese martial art, but actually a relatively recent transplant. Karate blossomed in Japan under his able teaching and that of his students & instructors. After World War 2, Master Funakoshi’s students and instructors - masters in their own right - helped spread karate to the rest of the world. Funakoshi’s primary style of karate is called Shotokan. Other major styles arising from Master Funakoshi’s roots include Shotokai, Wado-ryu, Gosoku-ryu, and others.

Master Funakoshi’s life started humbly in Okinawa. He was a sickly baby and frail child. His family, fearing he might not live long, encouraged young Gichin to start learning karate to improve his health. Like many people since (me included), he found that karate cast a spell over him. He threw himself into the task of mastering karate; mind, body and soul. Master Funakoshi became strong, outgoing, and very healthy. At the age of 90, he wrote that he had never once in his life had to consult a physician or to take any medicine. Master Funakoshi taught through example that karate training is a strong defense against illness and disease.

Discipline and rigorous training are hallmarks of Funakoshi’s teaching methods and his way of life. Schools based in Master Funakoshi’s methods use repetition, repetition, and repetition of basic techniques and kata (pre-arranged fighting movement forms). Master Funakoshi believed that it takes 3 years of continuous practice to master one kata. Master Funakoshi and his students trained every day to harden their bodies and train their spirits to meet any challenge.

The true way to gage immortality of a great person is to see their remaining effect after their death. Master Funakoshi’s immortality is evident in today’s world of martial arts. Even now, nearly 50 years after his death, I can identify easily and instantly the true students and teachers of his style. I have been fortunate to train with modern karate masters in California, Utah, Indiana, England, and of course Japan. Each of the great schools has the same training methods – hours of repetitions of basic techniques (known as kihon waza), hours of repetitions of kata, and strong training in kumite (sparring). When I bow and step into a school of Shotokan, Wado, Gosoku, Shito-ryu or other traditional style, I know in advance what I will see: thousands of repetitions, strong stances, precise forms, and LOTS OF PERSPIRATION.

Even though Master Funakoshi taught an indomitable fighting art, he preached that karate should be used only for defense. He taught that in “karate there is no attack” 空手に先手なし. This rule is engraved on Master’s Funakoshi’s gravestone in the city of Kamakura, Japan. Here is a picture of me at his gravesite with my master Shihan Nakai and his student Nishimura Akiko - the small lady who throws a strong punch.

Another rule I learned from my karate masters: Karate begins and ends with courtesy. This was drilled into my brain from the first day of lessons as a white belt. This simple rule has been tremendous help for me as a foreigner to learn how to do business in Japan, China, and Korea. Now I know that in Asia, all aspects of life begin and end with courtesy. This is rule number 1 for being successful in Asia.

One of my favorite stories is from the time Master Funakoshi was 80 years old, just after World War 2. He was confronted by a strong young thief, probably a recent soldier. When the thief made a move toward him, Master Funakoshi ducked and grabbed the poor man by the testicles in a strong painful grip. Fortunately a policeman came and took the poor thief into custody. Master Funakoshi finishes the story by apologizing for taking action against this poor young man. This humble old master was rather embarrassed by his lack of control . (I suspect the poor young man was rather embarrassed himself - selecting the wrong 80 year-old grandfather to rob.)

I have learned a lot about life and proper living from my karate masters and the training they give me. These masters include Kyoshi Jim Mather in San Jose, California and Shihan Nakai in Saitama Japan. Hopefully my training will continue for many more years. Karate truly becomes a Tao, a Do, 道, a way of life.

Readers can learn much more about this amazing and humble man through his autobiography book, Karate-Do, My Way of Life, and also on numerous sources on the internet http://www.shotokai.com/ingles/bios/funakos2.html