Karate, meaning “empty hand” in Japanese, is a martial art that originated in the Ryukyu Kingdom of Okinawa. Karate combines simple linear strikes and blocks with rigorous physical training to create a holistic system of self-defense.

While Okinawan martial arts can be traced back centuries, karate as we know it today was primarily shaped by a few key figures in the late 19th and early 20th century. These influential masters synthesized indigenous fighting styles and Chinese martial arts into streamlined systems of karate optimized for self-defense. Their tireless efforts also brought karate to mainland Japan and later, the international stage.

Although many great teachers contributed to the growth of karate, a handful of masters stand out for their far-reaching impacts on training methods, techniques, and proliferation of major styles that we still practice today. This article profiles five of the most instrumental figures in developing and spreading modern karate globally:

• Gichin Funakoshi, the “Father of Modern Karate”
• Chōjun Miyagi, founder of Gōjū-ryū karate
• Kenwa Mabuni, founder of Shitō-ryū karate
• Masatoshi Nakayama, chief instructor of the Japan Karate Association (JKA)
• Tsutomu Ohshima, founder of Shotokan Karate of America (SKA)

While other noteworthy figures paved the way like Ankō Itosu and Kanryō Higashionna, these five masters brought karate into the 20th century and allowed its incredible growth around the world. Their influence is still felt by millions of practitioners today across major styles.

Gichin Funakoshi: The Father of Modern Karate Brought Karate to Japan’s Mainland

No history of modern karate is complete without Gichin Funakoshi, considered the “father of modern karate” and founder of the immensely popular Shōtōkan style. His key contributions include:

• Introducing Okinawan karate styles to mainland Japan
• Developing a streamlined, beginner-friendly style focused on fundamentals
• Standardizing existing kata while creating new kata like Tekki Shodan
• Requiring the wearing of the gi uniform in training
• Establishing modern training methods still used today
• Spreading karate internationally by demonstrating abroad

Born in Shuri, Okinawa in 1868, Funakoshi began training under legendary masters Azato Ankō and Itosu Ankō after being fascinated with martial arts demonstrations as a child. He trained rigorously for years, becoming a noted teacher himself in Okinawa and taking the pen name Shōtō, meaning “waving pines”, to sign his poetry.

After World War I, Funakoshi relocated to Kyoto, Japan and began demonstrating Okinawan karate at Japanese universities. His classes became hugely popular among students and he impressed audiences with the power and finesse of karate techniques. This key introduction of karate to mainland Japan opened the floodgates for its adoption and development into what we practice worldwide today.

To appeal to modern Japanese students, Funakoshi evolved the art away from its overtly combative roots towards spiritual and character development. He focused training on basics and simple, linear techniques over the more complex circular movements and brutal finishing methods. He also replaced the traditional training wear with the gi, integrating karate into Japanese martial culture.

Funakoshi authored several seminal texts like Ryukyu Kenpo Karate-do and Karate-Do Kyohan that became core training manuals. By the time of his passing in 1957, he’d successfully founded Shotokan karate and laid the foundation for its global spread through famed students like Masatoshi Nakayama of JKA and Tsutomu Ohshima of SKA. For his foundational impact, Funakoshi will always be remembered as the father of modern karate.

Chōjun Miyagi: Founder of Gōjū-ryū, the Hard-Soft Style Focused on Power Generation

While Funakosi was working to establish karate in mainland Japan, his contemporary Chōjun Miyagi was also developing a profoundly influential style back in Okinawa, which became known as Gōjū-ryū. The name Gōjū-ryū fittingly means “hard-soft style”, representing its equal emphasis on dynamic power techniques and soft internal energy cultivation through practices like Sanchin breathing.

Some of Miyagi’s major contributions include:

• Founding and codifying the Gōjū-ryū system from Naha-te roots
• Developing signature practices like Sanchin kata for internal energy training
• Creating the elegant Tensho kata
• Demonstrating karate in Japan for the first time in 1930
• Establishing the reputation for Gōjū-ryū’s powerful short distance fighting

Miyagi began his tutelage under renowned master Kanryō Higashionna, who taught him Naha-te fundamentals centered around developing whole body power. This early training with chiishi (stone weights), makiwara (striking boards), and extensive two-man drilling laid the foundation for his physical prowess.

However, Miyagi sought out extensive instruction from other masters after Higashionna’s passing, including study of Chinese martial arts. He traveled to Fuzhou, China to learn from acclaimed experts, expanding his knowledge of qigong practices for health cultivation.

Upon returning to Okinawa, he began integrating teachings from across lineages of Shuri-te, Tomari-te, Naha-te as well as Chinese gongfu into an integrated whole he called Gōjū-ryū or Go-Soft Style. The system revolved around Naha-te kata with additions like his signature Tensho form that expressed the flowing interplay between hardness and softness.

In 1926, Miyagi demonstrated Gōjū-ryū in Kyoto at the invitation of his peer Funakoshi, marking the first performance of Okinawan karate kata on mainland Japan. This helped establish his reputation as both contemporary and complement to Shōtōkan.

Miyagi never stopped developing Gōjū-ryū, researching Okinawan history and writing prolifically on karate philosophy. But it was through disciples like Jūhatsu Kyoda, who formed the All-Okinawa Gōjū-ryū Karate-dō Association, that Miyagi’s Goju system became firmly cemented as one of the most popular and combatively feared styles of karate in the world.

Kenwa Mabuni: Founder of Shitō-ryū, the Synthesis of the Shuri-te and Naha-te lineages

A contemporary of Funakoshi and Miyagi, Kenwa Mabuni played a pivotal role in karate’s evolution and spread despite avoiding the limelight. He pioneered the development of his own style Shitō-ryū, which uniquely blends techniques from both the Shuri-te tradition of Karate-do and Naha-te foundation of Goju-ryu.

Some major contributions by Kenwa Mabuni include:

• Attempting to unify teachings of Itosu and Higashionna’s lineages
• Learning an immense range of kata from across styles
• Maintaining strong bonds between early masters
• Founding Shitō-ryū as an inclusive synthesis of techniques

Mabuni had the rare luck of training under legendary masters Itosu and Higashionna successively. This allowed him to directly learn their distinct interpretations of the Shuri-te and Naha-te forms and underlying principles. Rather than viewing the lineages in opposition, he saw immense value in both schools.

An avid historian and researcher, Mabuni sought out other local masters across Okinawa during his career to expand his karate repertoire. It’s said he learned some 70 kata in total, allowing him to perceive connections between supposedly contrasting methodologies.

Rather than compete with his contemporaries like Funakoshi and Miyagi, Mabuni maintained close affiliations. He assisted Funakoshi in translating classical karate texts from Okinawa and supported early Shōtōkan instruction on Japan’s mainland while developing his own style on his native island.

This scholarly, collaborative spirit defined Mabuni’s approach and led him to found Shitō-ryū in an attempt to unify techniques from across lineages. Shitō-ryū maintains foundational Naha-te kata from Higashionna’s system as well as the simplified Itosu-derived Pinan forms. But it uniquely meshes them together alongside additional kata pulled from other styles Mabuni encountered.

Although overshadowed by Shotokan and Goju in fame, Shito-ryu has quietly become an influential major style today that expresses Mabuni’s pluralistic belief in bringing diverse interpretations of karate under one roof. Nearly all modern branches across Okinawa’s early lineages intersect back to Mabuni through one route or another

Masatoshi Nakayama: Chief Instructor of the JKA Who Globalized Sport Karate through Competition

While the early pioneers created and refined the major styles, it was the work of subsequent generations most directly shaped the forms commonly practiced today. Masatoshi Nakayama represents this key transmission process, expanding upon his master Funakoshi’s teachings to further develop Shōtōkan into an athletic endeavor.

As Chief Instructor of the Japan Karate Association (JKA), Nakayama made critical contributions such as:

• Standardizing Funakoshi’s kata to establish norms
• Introducing modernized training equipment like body pads
• Emphasizing speed and technical precision over brute strength
• Publishing the landmark text Karate-Do: My Way of Life
• Pioneering refereed karate matches and tournaments

Nakayama began studying under Funakoshi while attending Takushoku University. He trained rigorously alongside peers like Tsutomu Ohshima to embody Funakoshi’s teachings. After Funakoshi’s passing, Nakayama formalized his interpretations of Shotokan’s stances, techniques and katas to create greater consistency.

However, Nakayama sought to test karate against other fighting systems and opened communication between styles. He introduced new training tools like body pads, heavy bags and protective gloves to allow full speed application of strikes. Championing Funakoshi’s athletic principles, this assertive experimentation shifted karate towards being a combative sport over pure self-cultivation.

Most significantly, Nakayama pioneered the first international rules tournaments between styles, cementing karate’s transition into a global sport. His leadership in the JKA, extensive publications and tireless promotion of Shotokan through demonstrations brought Funakoshi’s style fame that endures today. Nearly every modern Shōtōkan school traces back to Nakayama’s stewardship in one way or another.

Tsutomu Ohshima: Introducing Shotokan Karate to America by Founding SKA

While Nakayama spearheaded karate’s transformation in Japan, it took the work of expat disciples like Tsutomu Ohshima to transplant styles abroad. As founder of Shotokan Karate of America (SKA), Ohshima was critical in establishing Japanese karate styles in the West after being dispatched by Funakoshi himself.

Ohshima’s notable contributions include:

• Bringing Funakoshi’s Shōtōkan karate to America in 1955
• Founding Shotokan Karate of America (SKA)
• Preserving Funakoshi’s strict, traditional training methods
• Becoming first shotokan practitioner to be honored as a NIHAN by JKA

Ohshima began Shōtōkan training while studying political science at Takushoku University under Funakoshi and Nakayama. Selected as part of a small team to demonstrate karate internationally, Ohshima relocated to California in 1955 to pursue graduate studies at USC.

Teaching initially out of his home, he founded the Los Angeles dojo in 1956 that became the genesis of Shotokan Karate of America (SKA). Ohshima focused on upholding Funakoshi’s original teachings amidst JKA’s shifts towards competitive karate duels. His intense training regime and strict standards quickly built SKA’s reputation for technical excellence among America’s early adopters of Japanese karate.

Over decades steadily expanding SKA across North America, Ohshima remained faithful to his duty as Funakoshi’s direct pupil. His single-minded focus on embodying classical shotokan to the highest levels ultimately garnered recognition in 1977 as the first Western shotokan master to obtain distinction as a NIHAN from JKA.

Ohshima succeeded in planting the seeds for Shotokan’s amazing growth in America and Europe. Nearly every major Shotokan derived style today, including influential offshoots like Shorinji Kempo, trace their teachings back to Ohshima’s crucial foundations under Funakoshi.

Conclusion: Lasting Impacts of Karate’s Greatest Teachers

The history of karate’s origins in Okinawa and spread across the world is ultimately a story of dedicated teachers passing knowledge to devoted students generation after generation. The five masters profiled here represented pivotal nodes in karate’s modern 20th century phase, setting the course for how it’s largely practiced today in major styles like Shotokan, Goju-Ryu or Shito-Ryu.

Gichin Funakoshi brought karate from its island home to the mainland culture of Japan. His modifications established approachable training methods for the masses that birthed Shotokan Karate with its emphasis on fundamentals like line, timing and discipline.

Chojun Miyagi meanwhile codified his Goju system back in Okinawa, forging powerful techniques tested against traditional leverage equipment that amplified devastating applications of body mass. The fame of Goju sparked resurgent interest in karate’s original combat applications.

Simultaneously, Kenwa Mabuni researched deeply into cross-lineage connections between divergent schools, recognizing universal principles expressed through immense physical variation. His Shito-Ryu became the bridge linking Okinawa’s early masters into contiguous lineage passed on to this day.

These pioneering first generation masters set the stage for their descendants like Masatoshi Nakayama and Tsutomu Ohshima who globalized their teachings through publications, public demonstrations and new outlets like sport karate tournaments. Their diligence embedded karate into the cultural fabric of countries worldwide.

Every student today repeating basic techniques like zenkutsu dachi or practicing the Pinan kata across different schools and styles owes immense gratitude to figures like Funakoshi, Miyagi or Mabuni. Every instructor teaching filtered adaptation of their collective wisdom carries responsibility of stewarding their gifts for future generations.

Karate will undoubtedly evolve as it interacts with new cultures and adopts new training methods. But the core principles guiding skilled dynamic movement, power generation, distancing and timing will endure essentially unchanged, carried forward in the learned kinesthetic memories embedded deeply into devoted practitioners by the greatest masters of their times.

The pioneers profiled here may have passed, but their teachings and philosophy continue full force, embodied in every perfect punch flung fiercely forward by their students all over the world. Their indomitable fighting spirit remains seeded deep within us all.

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References

Funakoshi, Gichin. Karate-do Kyohan: The Master Text. Tokyo. Kodansha International. 1973

Kim, Richard. The Weaponless Warriors: An Informal History of Okinawan Karate. Santa Clarita, California. Ohara Publications. 1974

Nakayama, Masatoshi. Best Karate: Comprehensive. Tokyo. Kodansha Amer. 1977

Noble, Graham. Mas Oyama’s Essentials of Karate. London. PRC Publishing Ltd. 2001

Ohshima, Tsutomu. Shotokan Karate: A Precise History. Los Angeles, California. Shufunotomo USA. 2013

FAQs

Here are 30 suggested frequently asked questions for this karate blog post:

Who is considered the Father of modern karate?
Gichin Funakoshi is considered the Father of modern karate for introducing Okinawan karate styles to mainland Japan and developing the Shōtōkan style focused on basics.

What are the main styles of karate founded by the influential masters?
The main karate styles founded are Shōtōkan (Funakoshi), Gōjū-ryū (Miyagi), and Shitō-ryū (Mabuni). Other key figures spread these styles further.

What did Gichin Funakoshi contribute to karate?
Funakoshi introduced karate to mainland Japan, focused training on fundamentals, standardized existing kata, required the gi uniform, established modern training methods, and spread karate internationally.

How did Chōjun Miyagi influence karate?
Miyagi founded Gōjū-ryū karate known for its physical power and inner energy training, created signature practices like Sanchin breathing, demonstrated Gōjū-ryū in Japan, and established its reputation as an effective fighting style.

What was Kenwa Mabuni’s role in shaping karate?
Mabuni attempted to unify Shuri-te and Naha-te into Shitō-ryū karate, learned an immense range of kata across styles, maintained bonds between key masters, and founded Shitō-ryū as an inclusive blending of techniques.

How did Masatoshi Nakayama contribute to modern karate?
As Chief Instructor of the JKA, Nakayama standardized Shōtōkan kata, emphasized technical skill over strength, published key texts like “Best Karate”, and pioneered karate as a global sport through tournaments and competitions.

What was Tsutomu Ohshima’s influence on karate?
Ohshima brought Shōtōkan karate to America by founding Shotokan Karate of America (SKA), focused on Funakoshi’s traditional training methods over sport karate, and was first Western shotokan master recognized as an elite teacher by JKA.

Who first introduced karate to mainland Japan?
Gichin Funakoshi introduced Okinawan karate to mainland Japan by giving demonstrations at Japanese universities that quickly popularized the art among students in the early 20th century.

What are the core principles of karate shared across styles?
Core principles include proper stances, precise striking and blocking, correct breathing and tension, whole body power unity, and cultivation of inner spiritual focus alongside physical technique.

What specializes training equipment did masters pioneer?
Masters pioneered using modernized tools like padded body shields, heavy bags, makiwara boards and protective gloves to practice full-force strikes safely at high intensity.

How has tournament karate evolved the practice?
Tournament karate with points systems has evolved karate towards being a safer combat sport focused on speed and technical skill rather than finishing moves or excessive contact.

Why did Tsutomu Ohshima focus on preserving traditional methods?
Ohshima focused on preserving Funakoshi’s original teachings as he felt competition rules restricted technique effectiveness and neglected spiritual cultivation aspects.

What common Okinawan kata originate from these early masters?
Common kata include Sanchin and Tensho from Miyagi in Goju-ryu, the Heian/Pinan and Tekki series popularized by Funakoshi for Shotokan, and Chinto and Seiunchin from Shito-ryu’s blended curriculum.

Why did Funakoshi change the native wear to the gi uniform?
Funakoshi adopted the gi to integrate karate into Japanese martial arts culture so its training methods appeared less foreign and more approachable by mainland Japanese practitioners.

What sparring tactics typify Shotokan tournament karate?
Shotokan competitors favor swift jabs, narrow stances that rely on mobility and agility, precise combinations meant to score points over knockout power.

What self-defense tactics typify Gōjū-ryū street application?
Gōjū-ryū is known for its harsh, close-in techniques that quickly disrupt, break posture and employ methodical takedowns using body mass and utilizing angles.

How did karate kata evolve between Okinawa and Japanese interpretation?
Kata evolved from longer sequences with hidden flowing movements signifying Chinese influence towards more abrupt, compact forms standardized in Japanese styles to be learned systematically.

Which early masters learned Chinese martial arts directly?
Notable masters who studied Chinese arts firsthand include Chōjun Miyagi who learned Fukien gongfu in Fuzhou including qigong, and Kenwa Mabuni who researched connections between Okinawan and Chinese methods.

What common training equipment did early masters use?
Significant training equipment includes the makiwara board for striking, chiishi weights for grip and tension, stone lever bars for rooted power and body hardening drills with partners.

How did Ankō Itosu influence Funakoshi’s development path?
Funakoshi was one of Itosu’s top students, learning foundational Shuri-te principles from him before blending with other influences into Shotokan. Itosu advocated introducing karate towards Japanese physical education.

What films boosted karate’s post-war global popularity?
Influential post-war films included the Bruce Lee movies in the 1970s, The Karate Kid franchise in the 1980s, and the 21st century rise of UFC/MMA bringing wider mass media attention.

How has karate technique complexity evolved over generations?
Techniques evolved from highly complex tension principles and intricate Chinese-derived circles towards simplified Japanese lines focused more directly on physical power and practical application over energetic cultivation.

What common drills develop the essential body connectivity central to power?
Key power drills involve coordinated hip twisting and drops from stances, sequencing punches with blocks using waist and drop step momentum, and controlled abdominal and oblique tension with breathing.

How did karate spread globally after World War 2?
Karate spread via returning Western soldiers who learned in occupied Japan and Okinawa, Japanese and Okinawan masters conducting international seminars, then explosion of mainstream martial arts schools catering to civilian interest globally.

Why did Gōjū-ryū gain reputation as the “hard-style”?
Goju became known as an aggressive, potent style for its body hardening methods and ruthless close-range pummeling focused more on practical fighting than inherent philosophy leading to characterization as the “hard” approach.

What led to the divergence of sport vs. traditional factions?
As competition rules limited techniques, traditionalists felt it created bad habits while sport practitioners felt freestyle sparring evolved realism; this led to associations supporting either tournament or self-defense orientations.

How has kata practice evolved in modern schools?
Modern schools often emphasize free sparring and technical drills over classical kata practice, but a minority maintain rigorous kata foundations believing it schools intuitive control of distance and timing essential to application.