( Hand to Hand: Martial Arts ) Aikido ( revised )

Shotokan Karate
"We fight not for wealth or power, but for the fight itself. What care I for trophies? The thrill of
victory and the thought of my next opponent are enough."
-A Shotokan Practioner (SF:TSG)
"I have taught you the secrets of Shotokan Karate, and you have become adequate warriors. You
are now carriers of the kiving art of Shotokan Karate - for all martial arts are living arts; they grow
and change and conform to the needs of each generation of Sensei and disciple. As with all living
things, some generations can be stronger or weaker than their ancestors. You must ensure that
the living art of Shotokan never becomesweak. For our style to live on, you must one day share
its secrets with others as I have shared them with you. First, however, you must prove yourselves
fit to carry on my name and the style of Shotokan. Go into the world to test your knowledge by fire
and blood. Should you survive long enough for your own beards to gray with age, then you will
know that your Shotokan Karate is strong; then you will know that you are worthy to teach the art.
But if you should fall from the path, do not disgrace me by teaching your weak version of the art.
Better that the style of Shotokan Karate should die than become a tree that appears great for its
age but is rotten and weak inside."
-Gouken, to his students Ken & Ryu (SF:TSG)
China History
Although the ancient origins of karate are extremely vague, we do know that about 1400 years ago
while teaching at the Shaolin Temple in China, Daruma Daishi used techniques developed into
fighting forms known as Shaolin Boxing.
Okinawa
In the 16th Century, Shaolin Boxing found its way to Okinawa from China. It combined with native
Okinawan techniques to develop into several Okinawan styles.
Japan - Master Funakoshi
In 1922, having mastered two major styles in Okinawa, Master Gichin Funakoshi, then President of
the Okinawa association of the Spirit of Martial Arts, was chosen to demonstrate karate at the first
National Athletic Exhibition in Tokyo. This led to the introduction of the ancient martial art to the rest
of Japan. At the urging of friends and officials, he remained in Tokyo to teach.
U.S.A. - Tsutomu Ohshima
Tsutomu Ohshima was one of Master Funakoshi's last direct pupils (1948 - 1953) studying under him
while attending Waseda University in Tokyo, Japan. In 1955, Mr. Ohshima came to the United States
and was the first man to teach Karate in this country. That same year he organized the Southern
California Karate Association, which has grown over the years to become a nationwide organization,
Shotokan Karate of America.
Entrance Requirements: Characters must be of an Honorable alignment. Attribute requirements are
I.Q.: 12 and M.E.: 10.
Skill Cost: 10 Years (7 Years as a Secondary Martial Art Form)
Costume: Standard Karate outfit
Stance: Feet shoulder's width apart, forward foot pointed ahead and to the outside rear foot point out
and to the front, knees bent. Forward arm is held bent at a 90 degree angle with hand open similar to
a knife-hand strike, and the rear hand in a fist against the waist.
CHARACTER BONUSES
Add 2 to P.S.