Karate History
What is Karate? By: Shojiro Koyama
WHAT IS KARATE By: Shojiro Koyama Translated by J. Ondrusek One grandparent of karate originates in the life-or-death environment of the front line of warfare. It was a systematized collection of the defense techniques which had the highest success rates, as determined largely by trial and error. These techniques have since evolved into a means…
Read MoreThe Concept of Japanese Karate
By: Shojiro Koyama In 1922 Karate was introduced in Tokyo by Gichin Funakoshi of Okinawa. Funakoshi’s Karate inherits the spirit of “Mind and Technique” embodied in other martial arts which already existed in Japan, such as Kendo, Sumo, and Budo. Karate was filtered through the quintessence of the spirit of the warrior who had survived…
Read More2004 Interview with Master Koyama
A Brief Interview with Master Shojiro Koyama, Chairman Western States Karate Championship Association Q: What are the most important points of your teaching philosophy? A: For me, karate is a mission, one that I brought to the U.S. when I arrived in the early 1960’s. My mission is grounded in 3 major philosophical principles that…
Read More