What is Karate? (Page-3)


Followers of Gichin Funakoshi called his style of karate `Shotokan’ because he wrote many poems under the pen name of `Shoto.’ The word `kan’ meaning hall or school, and the organization founded by him to promote the learning of karate in Japan, the Japan Karate Association, was (and still is) a registered body controlled by the Japanese Ministry of Education.

During his long life of 90 years, Funakoshi never visited a doctor. His philosophy was that for stomach ailments, karate exercise would overcome the problem and for fever, working up a sweat by karate practice would get rid of the fever. He was a healthy man, and his philosophy worked for him for 90 years. Although good health of a long time practitioner of karate can keep many diseases at bay, karate does not give immunity from viral fevers, aids or cancer. 

After the death of Funakoshi in 1957, one of his senior students, Matsoyushi Nakayama took over as Chief Instructor of the Japan Karate Association. He wrote several excellent books on karate, many of which are available in the English translation in India. He also visited many countries to introduce karate to the world at large. Today, there are more practitioners of karate than there are of Judo or Tae Kwondo, although the latter two have been Olympic Sports for a long time, and karate has only recently been recognized by the International Olympic Association, but not yet included as an Olympic Sport.

Although the Japan Karate Association is the world’s largest karate organization, and is recognized by the Japanese Ministry of Education, where it is considered a means of developing the body and mind of young Japanese, the Art has not gained much acceptance in India. A strong foundation in the art was laid by Sensei Anil Sinha, former All England University Karate Champion, who started a dojo at Kolkata in the 70’s. He started the Japan Karate Association of India, and helped strengthen the All India Karate-do Federation. Even so, today there are few in India who know more about karate than the distorted version they see in films!