Funakoshi Gichin
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New edition of Patrick McCarthy’s Tanpenshu
After a long wait, it’s finally here: the new edition of Patrick McCarthy’s Tanpenshu (2024). Funakoshi Gichin (1868–1957) was a fascinating figure in Japanese martial arts history and a peer of the karate masters Yabu Kentsū (1866–1937), Hanashiro Chōmo (1869–1945) and Motobu Chōki (1870–1944). Best known for popularising karate in mainland Japan, Funakoshi was also Continue reading
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Taiwan Nichinichi (1921) on Hirohito’s stay in Shuri
The karate demonstration led by Funakoshi Gichin 船越義珍 (1868–1957) during the visit of the Japanese Crown Prince Hirohitos 裕仁 (1901–1989) to Okinawa on March 6, 1921 is a much-cited event. Hirohito visited Shuri en route to Europe. After the visit the prince said that he had been much impressed by three things in Okinawa: the Continue reading
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A poem by Funakoshi Gichin unearthed recently
It was in 1922 that karate began to be popularized outside of Okinawa Prefecture by Funakoshi Gichin 船越義珍 (1868–1957). A hundred years have passed since then. In this context, the Okinawa Karate Academy on November 24, 2022 dedicated a lecture to Funakoshi’s time on Okinawa: 空手普及100年 一 船越義珍の足跡をたどる一 (100 Years of Karate Popularization: In the Continue reading
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Master Funakoshi 1937 in Korea
Funakoshi Gichin 船越義珍 (1868–1957) is known as the father of modern karatedō. In 1922, he left his home Okinawa for Tōkyō and demonstrated his karate at various occasions and eventually decided to devote his further life to spread the benefits of a lifelong karate training. His efforts were extensive. He wrote articles and books about Continue reading
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When did Funakoshi Gichin start training with his masters?
Funakoshi Gichin 船越義珍 (1868–1957) is an important source for research into the life and times of Itosu Ankō 糸洲安恒 (1831–1915). His publications contain numerous descriptions of Itosu’s activities. According to Funakoshi, he himself began learning karate from Itosu at a young age, probably as one of Itosu’s first students in Okinawa in the early 1880s. Continue reading
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Review: Karatedō Kyōhan now also available in German
The first German translation of Funakoshi Gichin’s third book, Karatedō Kyōhan 空手道教範 (1935), has just been published. Lehrmuster des Wegs der leeren Hand was published by Werner Kristkeitz in Heidelberg, a publisher that has made a name for itself in Germany by publishing literature on Zen, Buddhism and Asian martial arts. For almost two years, Continue reading
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Further photos of the 1921 karate demonstration?
The March 1921 karate demonstration in the courtyard of Shuri Castle, led by Funakoshi Gichin 船越義珍 (1868–1957) in the presence of Crown Prince Hirohito 裕仁 (1901–1989), celebrated its 100th anniversary this year. Only a few photos of Hirohito’s short stay in Okinawa have survived. In the biography of Kenna Kenwa 漢那憲和 (1877–1950), Okinawan born former Continue reading
Investigations into the history of karate 