Karate-Do

It is a fighting system based on the impact that reaches its maximum effectiveness in middle-distance fighting. It is usually based on strong action to develop muscular strength and thus is considered "hard." A competitive element has been developed, with subsequent modifications of the technique.
"Way of the empty hand" is the translation of Japanese ideograms into Spanish. Kara: Empty, Te: hand, Do: way.

Its significance is based on the interpretations assigned to its practitioners. But all part of the master Gichin Funakoshi introduced: As a martial art that allows the defense without using weapons, only the human body. And as a way of life: "Just as a clear mirror that reflects without distortion, or the quiet valley returns the sounds, also a student of karate-do should be free from all selfish and evil thoughts, for only with a consciousness and mind clean, can he or she understand what you get "is the internal void of selfishness which allows the balanced development of karate and the surrounding environment.
Mind - body, individual - society, understanding this dialectic karate-do requires a fair progress in each of its parts. Body and spirit as inseparable elements, involves strengthening the human being in their physical fitness through put in continuous operation each of its parts, and in his mind learning from the development of the contradictions that allow the refinement of character. In this way, body and spirit learn from each other to the extent that transform each other. Also, society is changed by the individual while you edit, the karateka must understand that the knowledge acquired in the Dojo is to apply in your life, in your environment to transform reality and build a new world.
The karate do, rather than a sport, is a tool for understanding reality, setting goals and driving life.

Brief History of Shotokan

The Shotokan born at the hands of Gichin Funakoshi, who many consider the father of Karate Do. Joined Funakoshi Sensei Itosu style and Azato, two teachers who were students of Sokon Matsumura's style was Shorei Azato, this result showed him the more attached to the Chinese, by Itosu learned Shorin style, which at that time and had shades of Okinawa. The difference between the Karate Funakoshi Sensei and the many other students was the balance between body and mind. For the year 1891 the ban on martial arts in Okinawa was obsolete and was withdrawn, as Funakoshi Sensei began teaching publicly in the early twentieth century school visits Shintaro Ogawa the commissioner and the Naval Captain Yashiro helped Rokuro to release in Japan Funakoshi Karate, following the visit of Prince Hirohito on Okinawa, with a little help from the founder of Judo Jigoro Kano, who believe Kata Kime-No, after that, the golden years come and them the foundation of the school Shoto. ° The Birth of Yoshitaka Funakoshi was instrumental in the history of Shotokai as this entered the Kumite (combat). While his father had placed a greater emphasis on Kata, Yoshitaka developed free sparring. First design Gohon Kumite (sparring five steps), where the attacker followed five attacks carried forward and the defender blocks back, applying a counterattack in the last defense. In 1933 the Kihon Ippon structure also Kumite (fighting technique), the following year Jiu Ippon Kumite, same as above but with movement, culminating in the Jiu Kumite, free sparring, established in 1935. Yoshitaka also incorporated new techniques of leg, as is the case: Mawashi Geri, Yoko Geri Kekomi, Yoko Geri Keage, Fumikomi, Geri and Ushiro Ura Mawashi Geri. In 1935 it was decided we needed a central dojo (Hombu Dojo) was established as a national committee of practitioners to build the largest karate karate dojo in the world, January 29, 1936 Gichin Funakoshi Sensei's dojo opened in the entrance was a sign that said Shotokan (Shoto's house). Shoto was the pen name used by the Master when young, meaning "Pine Waves", because when young, near Shuri, his hometown, watching on Mount Tara (Tiger Tail) and the wind made them move the cups tree, which resembled the waves. On the other hand, the Tiger (in addition to its relationship with Mount Tara) official emblem of Shotokan, is based on a classic Chinese design which means "the tiger never sleeps." It symbolizes the state of alert in tiger ready for action and the peaceful serenity of mind. After the Second World War and after reconstruction of several of the Hombu Dojo of Sensei Funakoshi students returned to form the Nippon Karate Kyokai (NKK, Japan Karate Association) is dedicated to unifying the dojos and universities with the approval of Funakoshi. In 1956 some students is formed by the association traditionalists Funakoshi Shotokan (Shoto way to). On April 26, 1957 Gichin Funakoshi Sensei dies.