Shotokan  Shotokan is named after Gichin Funakoshi's Pename, SHOTO which means “PINE WAVES” or “WIND IN THE PINES” thus Shotokan refers to the ” HOUSE OF SHOTO”. This name was adopted by Funakoshi's students when they hanged a sign above the door at the entrance of the house with the name of SHOTOKAN where Master Funakoshi taught Karate. Shotokan Karate was influenced by two Okinawan Karate styles SHOREI-RYU and SHORIN-RYU, but also KENDO had some influence in distance and timing. SHOTOKAN is a traditional MARTIAL ART in which improvements in character and mental discipline are very important as is the physical part. SHOTOKAN thrives to polish respect, integrity, courage and self-control in a daily basis to become a better person. SHOTOKAN has three KANJI characters. The “SHO” character means pine tree. “TO” character means waves. “KAN” character stands for school, house or training hall. In 1963 the first SHOTOKAN DOJO was built in Tokyo, Japan. Master Funakoshi's famous words “KARATE NI SENTE NASHI” (there is no first attack in Karate) and “KARATE WA KUNSHI NO BUGEI” (Karate is the MARTIAL ART of intelligent people).  Master Gichin Funakoshi |   Shotokan Symbol |