Brief History of Karate
Karate (which means "emptyhand") had a long historical evolution which can be traced back some 1500 years through India, China, Okinawa and Japan. In the 15th century various Chinese fighting methods found their way to Okinawa Island and combined forces with the indigenous system of combat already in place in this mysterious island between China and Japan. In short, a new sophistication was added to the already deadly combat methods being practiced on Okinawa itself.
Because of the ban on weapons and the illegal gatherings of people to practice combat readiness, the martial arts of Okinawa Island was practiced in seclusion. This explains why there are not an abundance of written records to chart the history of karate perse, but the transmission of ideas and principles was from Master to student with very few people involved. It was not until the beginning of the 20th century that karate became accessible to the general public.
In 1917 Master Funakoshi traveled from his native Okinawa home to give the first karate demonstration in Japan. Later, in 1922 he gave another demonstration in Japan and remained there for the rest of his life. Having trained under the two leading karate experts on Okinawa Island, Master Azato and Master Itosu respectfully, Master Funakoshi found a new home for this evolving art form. The two diverse methods that were taught to him were combined into one discipline which became known as Shotokan Karate. "Shoto" was his pen name and "kan" means the house of. And so, Master Funakoshi became known as "the father of modern day karate." He was a Confucianist scholar who foresaw the cultural and social advantages of helping karatedo or the way of karate become a traditional fighting art of Japan. Master Funakoshi established Karate clubs throughout Japan's universities. Master Funakoshi was born in 1868 and died in 1957.
One of Master Funakoshi's last direct students, Tsutomu Ohshima, studied karate while attending Waseda University, in Tokyo. Karate was a natural progression for Mr. Ohshima, who had, by college entrance age, studied, for over half his lifetime three traditional Japanese martial arts...kendo, sumo and judo.
In his senior year Mr. Ohshima became the captain of the prestigious Waseda karate club and, consequently in 1952, was given the highest score on the allJapanese Sandan (third degree black belt) exam personally supervised by Master Funakoshi.
In 1955, Mr. Ohshima made his first trip to the United States to continue his education. Shortly after his enrollment at Los Angeles City College and prior to him attending the University of Southern California, his outstanding reputation as a karateman preceded him. While there, Mr. Ohshima was asked to teach karate to a handful of enthusiasts. Destiny had spoken. In January of 1956, the first practice was held at Denker Park and later that year shifted to the Konko Church in East Los Angeles. Shotokan Karate had just found a new home in a new land.
In 1995, Mr. Ohshima received a lifetime achievement award from the city of Los Angeles. This event led to a video tribute "Mr. Ohshima and the SKA: 40 Years in America."
The Benefits of Shotokan Karate
It has long been documented that training in karate as a martial art benefits the individual practitioner in many crucial and lifealtering ways. In short, a person who is committed to vigorous karate practice will mature on the mental, physical and spiritual level. Our traditional training method is designed to not only advance students toward physical selfreliance, but also to develop the student's character, inner worth, mental stability and emotional soundness.
These positive attributes will help our members learn how to defend themselves physically while becoming more accomplished individuals who make contributions to their respective communities. This is reflected by the professional success of many of our seniors holding key positions within industry, at universities, and as members of the National Academy of Sciences, sports, etc.
Shotokan Karate is an exquisite art form that links the past and future. Our art form affects the lives of over 10,000 men, women and children each year. Our traditional martial art method of individual selfdiscovery helps trainees live happy and productive lives. The lessons learned in the practice hall extend into everyday life for the initiated.
On the first page of our handout pamphlet, Master Funakoshi is quoted, "The ultimate aim of the art of karate lies not in victory or defeat, but in the perfection of the characters of its participants." On the back of the pamphlet, Mr. Ohshima says, "...karate training soon teaches that real strength is facing oneself strictly, with severe eyes. This is the first condition of martial arts training."
The Shotokan Ohshima Dojo
In 1980, our organization established a 20 year goal to build an international dojo. Since that time our members, foreign affiliates, friends and loyal supporters have collectively donated over two million dollars toward that effort. A mountainous region overlooking the Pacific Ocean near Santa Barbara became the chosen site.
The Grand opening for the Shotokan Ohshima Dojo was celebrated during August 2000. This new "center" was aptly named after the "shihan" or chief instructor of the S.K.A., a position held by Mr. Ohshima since 1955.
Here, men, women, and children come from all over the world to practice and advance their knowledge of our discipline. Regular classes are held for all ranks, ages, women, kids and specialty classes for particular aspects of our art...building blocks for the future. Since its inception, more and more classes are being offered to our members. Mr. Ohshima teaches a majority of these classes.
While basic costs are met through annual paid memberships, we are seeking additional support in the amount of approximately $100,000 per year for general maintenance, new programs and expansion. Passing on knowledge to future generations is essential in the martial arts.
The center is a rallying point for the people in our organization...it is a representation and symbol of what can be achieved when people work together for one common goal. Here, for years to come, each generation will gain the experience necessary to pass on the traditional teachings of the Shotokan School to the younger students, who will, in turn, mature and then give back to yet the younger ones coming up. The result: more knowledge and wisdom will be imparted to more people who will become better adults. Hopefully this process will continue.
Outside Support
During the final stages of development in Santa Barbara, our group foresaw the advantages of reaching out to all types of business organizations to ask for financial support. Our requests for funding has taken on two distinct forms: General Operating Support (G.O.S.) and Capital Campaign. General Operating Support would help us support our organization and its need to modernize, become more efficient, hire more personnel and general improvements. Our Capital Campaign was designed to revolve around maintaining and general upkeep of the center. Additional funding would give us more options to provide more opportunities for growth.
Right now, we have established a priority to maintain the long-term objectives of the Shotokan Ohshima Dojo. All contributions currently made will go toward that end.
In 1945, the first official Shotokan Dojo in Mejiro, near Tokyo was destroyed as a result of allied bombing...the ravages of war! It took over 50 years for another opportunity to arise. Now, our heritage continues on opposite sides of the Pacific... the power of peace and goodwill! This brings us up to the Unity 2006 Celebration!
The 2006 Celebration Called "Unity"
In 2006, SKA members around the world will come to celebrate 50 years of Shotokan Karate being taught in the United States under the guidance of Mr. Ohshima along with his 75th birthday during the month of August.
In 1990, members from around the world traveled to Santa Barbara and participated in Harmony, the most well attended world event in our history up to that date. It was a benchmark halfway milestone toward the finalization of the Shotokan Ohshima Dojo. Practices were held at the University of Santa Barbara and our attending members stayed in hotels, motels and homes of friends. All of our members socialized, dined together and became acquainted with our brothers and sisters from all corners of the globe. On the serious side, Yodan and Godan (fourth and fifth degree black belts) tests were conducted. This set the stage for future Shotokan world gatherings.
A decade later, in 2000, we celebrated the Grand Opening Ceremony of The Shotokan Ohshima Dojo. As an organization we had arrived; our 20 year project was completed. Like before, there were group practices, friendly competition between countries, a fifth degree black belt exam, fine dining, barbecues and socializing.
Now that we have built on these events, Unity 2006 promises to be the biggest and the best yet. More people from around the world are likely to attend this event than ever before, including our members, affiliates and other organizations. During this celebration, we will pay tribute to Mr. Ohshima's 50 year contribution to Shotokan Karate along with his 75th birthday. Literally, all of Mr. Ohshima's students have been profoundly influenced by his philosophies, his life time example, his technical guidance and his sacrifices.
Mr. Ohshima began teaching in Los Angeles in the mid 1950's with a handful of loyal followers and now there are over 3,000 black belts in our organization. He has influenced thousands of people not only in the fundamentals of karate but the connection between karate and everyday life. He has traveled the world many times over to teach karate and now all of us will make the journey to Santa Barbara to honor him for this once-in-a-life-time celebration.
In August of every year since 1957 our organization has sponsored a karate tournament and demonstration at the annual Nisei Week Festival, in Los Angeles. Before Harmony and The Grand Opening Ceremony, visitors from outofstate and from other countries together came to Los Angeles a week early to view or participate in the Nisei Week event. This gave outoftowners a chance to see the sites in Southern California, visit friends and fit in a few practices at one of our local dojos before making the long anticipated ride along the coast to Santa Barbara. More SKA members, supporters and loyal friends will make this trek in 2006.
Video releases were made available for the event surrounding Harmony, the life and times of Mr. Ohshima entitled, "Mr. Ohshima and the SKA: 40 years in America," and coverage of the Grand Opening Ceremony in 2000. A video release is also planned for Unity 2006. Plans are underway to eventually store all videos, books, magazines, and SKA Newsletters in the Legacy Library on the ground floor of the Shotokan Ohshima Dojo.
Closing Thoughts
Your financial support makes a positive statement: you will give our art form the boost it needs to reach current members and new generations of young adults searching for a method of self expression. Our Santa Barbara facility is the beginning of something new for us, not an endgoal. Here at the center, students worldwide meet, study and advance their knowledge and leadership to passon the art and culture of Shotokan Karate to future generations in the 21 Century.
We thank you for your thoughtful consideration and look forward to adding you to our growing list of supporters and extended family. Please download, print-out and complete our contribution form and mail it to:
SKA Headquarters, 222 S. Hewitt St., Room 7, Los Angeles, CA 90012. You may also reach us by phone at 213-437-0988 or contact us by email at SKAHQ@earthlink.net.
All contributions to Shotokan Karate of America qualify as a tax deduction (see copy of IRS determination letter). If you would like to talk with a representative, please contact Christopher Hunt at 818-3466042. Christopher Hunt is the author of this fundraising article.
© 2006 Shotokan Karate of America. All rights reserved.
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