Martial Arts Of The World - Webs

236 Karate, Japanese
pseudonym, Shôtô (Pine Wave). Realizing that language is culture, Funakoshi
Gichin gave the various Shuri-di kata new Japanese names. Chinto
kata became Gankaku (Crane on a Rock), Jitte became Jutte (Ten Hands),
Kusanku became Kankû (To Look at the Sky), Naihanchi became Tekki
(Horse Riding), Pinan became Heian (Peaceful Mind), Patsai became Bassai
(To Penetrate a Fortress), Seisan became Hangetsu (Crescent Moon),
Useishi became Gôjûshihô (Fifty-four Steps), and Wansu became Empi
(Flying Swallow). Funakoshi introduced the Taikyoku (Grand Ultimate)
kata as beginning forms, and the Ten no Kata (Kata of the Universe) as a
beginning kumite (sparring) form. As the names of these kata imply, however,
the principles contained within them are subjects for continual study.
Funakoshi Gichin’s son, Funakoshi Yoshitaka (Gigô), made modifications
in the basic techniques (kihon). The side kick (yoko-geri), back kick
(ushiro-geri), and round kick (mawashi-geri) were added to the style; the
kicking knee was raised; stances became lower; and thrusting with the hips
was greatly emphasized. This innovative attitude reflected the views of Funakoshi
Gichin, who believed that karate should evolve as human knowledge
progressed. In 1949 the Nippon Karate Kyôkai (Japan Karate Association,
JKA) was formed. Funakoshi Gichin was honorary chief instructor,
Obata Isao was chairman, and Nakayama Masatoshi was the chief instructor.
The JKA continues research into the art and science of karate,
building upon the philosophy of its founder.
Ôtsuka Hironori (1892–1982) began his martial arts training in
Ibaraki, Japan, where he studied Shindô Yôshin-ryû jûjutsu under
Nakayama Shinzaburô, a style that incorporated various strikes and kicks
as well as the conventional jûjutsu nage-waza (throws) and ne-waza
(ground techniques). Ôtsuka received the menkyo kaiden (certificate of full
proficiency) in the Shindô Yôshin-ryû in 1920, succeeding Nakayama and
becoming the fourth headmaster of the ryûha. While attending Waseda
University, Ôtsuka studied other forms of jûjutsu and kenpô. Ôtsuka met
Funakoshi Gichin in 1922. Impressed by Ôtsuka’s dedication to the martial
arts and interest in karate, Funakoshi taught Ôtsuka his Shuri-di system.
Combining the karate that he learned from Funakoshi and Mabuni
Kenwa (of the Shitô-ryû) with various jûjutsu, Toda-ryû, and Yagyû Shinkage-ryû
kenjutsu techniques and concepts, Ôtsuka broke away from the
Shôtôkan in 1934 and formed a style that would eventually be known as
Wadô (Way of Peace). Wadô was officially recognized as a ryûha by the
Dainippon Butokukai in 1940 under the title Shinshû Wadô jûjutsu. Wadôryû
uses nine basic kata: Pinan 1–5, Naihanchi, Kusanku, Seishan (Seisan),
and Chinto. Ôtsuka also developed a series of yakusoku kumite (prearranged
sparring sets) for further study. In 1972, Ôtsuka Hironori was
awarded the title of meijin (Excellent Martial Artist of Tenth Dan) in