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The origin of karate remains invariably hidden behind the mists of legend, and we only know that its roots
and spread are in East Asia among people who adhere to different types of religion - that of Buddhism,
Hinduism, Brahmanism, Mohammedanism and Taoism. Over the years, individual self-defense arts have
gained their own following in different regions of Asia, but at the core there has always been one common
feature. For this reason, Karate-Do refers to one or another type of the various eastern arts for self-defense,
which is why it is the most widespread of all.
The interrelationship between the Eastern martial arts is evident when we compare the essence behind
the modern philosophy with that of the traditional. In the first, its roots are in mathematics and then in
physical movement and technique. Eastern ideas, language and way of thinking were formed in their
intrinsic connection with physical skills. Even as words, like ideas, have gone through various changes in
the course of human history, we find their roots deeply embedded in physical techniques.
For many years in Japan, karate remained closed behind the thick walls of temples mainly in those of Zen
Buddhism. It was not practiced by ordinary people until the samurai began to practice it on the temple
grounds, where they learned about the existence of this art on the spot. Karate-Do as we know it today was perfected a century ago by Master Gichin Funakoshi.
Gichin Funakoshi was born on November 10, 1868 in the Okinawan capital Shuri. He is from a highly
educated samurai family, a hereditary vassal of the royal dynasty of the Ryukyu Islands. In that year after
the emperor's restoration, aristocratic privileges were abolished and the family's property was confiscated.
Funakoshi's childhood was spent in extreme poverty. In 1879, Japan officially overthrew the Okinawan Sho dynasty and King Sho. Tai is exiled to Tokyo.
Funakoshi began training karate under master Azato Anko in 1880. At that time, karate was still a secret
art and training took place secretly at night. They consist mostly of the repetition of the kata. In this period,
another well-known Okinawan master - Yatsusune Itosu - was involved in Gichin Funakoshi's training.
Over the years, Azato and Itosu gave Funakoshi the opportunity to train with other famous Okinawan
masters. It is said that he also had an exchange of experience with Kanryo Higaona in the Naha style, a
friend of Master Itosu. In 1908, with the cooperation of the "Ministry of Education and Culture", karate training was introduced in
the schools of Okinawa. During this time, Funakoshi participated in organizing public karate
demonstrations in the halls of the largest cities of Shuri and Naha. Funakoshi was selected to demonstrate karate at the first national exhibition of sports in Tokyo organized
by the "Ministry of Education", and also gave an honorary karate demonstration in honor of Japan's Crown
Prince Hirohito of Okinawa.
At the request of prominent masters and public figures such as Jigoro Kano, the founder of judo, the
famous kendo master Nakayama Hiromachi, Vice Admiral of the Japanese Navy Yashiro Yakuro, and
Lord Shimpei Goto, Minister of Internal Affairs, Funakoshi decided to stay and teach in Tokyo. Training
begins in miserable conditions - in a hall with 20 mats (tatami), without special training clothes.
Karate clubs were established at Takushoku, Waseda, Hosei, Meiji, Nihon, Shodai, Medical University, Todai
Imperial University, Agricultural University, etc. As the number of students grew, Funakoshi's financial
situation improved. After years of poverty and deprivation, he has his own humble abode.
In 1929 Gichin Funakoshi changed the name of his martial art from Todi (Chinese hand) to Karate-do
(the way of the empty hand) and six years later published his book Karate-do Kyohan.
The public committee supporting karate collects the necessary funds for the construction of a building
intended for a dojo.
The hall begins to function. At the opening and, in 1936, a surprise is the inscription "Shotokan" written by
the students. "Shoto" means "waves of the pine tops", a literary pen name of Funakoshi, who was fascinated
by Chinese poetry.
This is the name that was later given to the style, which began with master Gichin Funakoshi.
In 1957, at the age of 89, Gichin Funakoshi died in his sleep. He was buried in the Enkaku-ji Shrine at the
Kita Kamakura Temple, near Tokyo, where a small stone obelisk was placed in 1968, on which, in addition
to the master's name and surname, were carved the words: "There is no attack in karate", as well as the
following calligraphy written by himself during his lifetime:
"On the island, and especially in the south, they know the harsh martial art brought from far away. I regret
that they lack the knowledge to carry it into the future. Who would undertake this formidable task, to
renew and pass it on? That would be me I! Who else but I? I have sworn by heaven itself!
*** *** ***
"До. Пътят. Кой ще го измине направо и добре?"
Животът на Гичин Фунакоши не е твърде интересен и впечатляващ.
Предан съпруг и баща на трима сина, учител по литература. Той не предизвиква никого в двубой на живот и смърт, не чупи рогата на бикове, няма самоуверен и арогантен вид, никога даже не излиза извън Япония. Поет и книжовник, той дори не е видял истинска битка.
Но Фунакоши е човек на Пътя. Той не отдава значение на състезанията, подобряването на рекорди, победата в надпревара. Вместо това той подчертава ролята на самоусъвършенстването. Вярва в благоприличието и уважението, което всяко човешко същество дължи на другите. Той е майстор на майсторите.
"Do. The Path. Who'll walk it straight and well?" Gichin Funakoshi's life is not too interesting and impressive. Devoted husband and father of three sons, literature teacher. He doesn't challenge anyone to a duel of life
and death, he doesn't break the horns of bulls, he doesn't have a cocky and arrogant look, he never even
goes outside of Japan. A poet and man of letters, he has never even seen a real battle. But Funakoshi is a man of the Way. He doesn't care about racing, breaking records, winning a race.
Instead, he emphasizes the role of self-cultivation. Believes in the decency and respect that every human
being owes to others. He is a master of masters.
Before its arrival in Japan, karate was a native Okinawan fighting system. After learning about traditional
Japanese martial arts, Funakoshi modified karate after them and made it popular throughout Japan. This
is one of his greatest contributions to the martial arts. This is precisely why Master Funakoshi is often said
to be a great philosopher and a great master. "On the island, and especially in the south, they know the harsh martial art brought from far away. I regret
that they lack the knowledge to carry it into the future. Who would undertake this formidable task, to
renew and pass it on? That would be me I! Who else but I? I have sworn by heaven itself!
G. Funakoshi