The Shotokan Legacy

From the early days of seemingly slow-low power techniques, to the explosive speed and power of the 70's & 80's, what legacy are we now left with? Change is inevitable, that is self evident, but is the Shotokan of today simply a fast sport type martial art. We take a close look at Shotokan's early days; its golden years and the sport oriented direction it now seems to have taken. Which are more important: diplomas and trophies, or the ability to execute fast, powerful and devastating techniques, when required? How would the Shotokan kumite champion of today fare against the cage fighter? Although there are still some very strong traditional Shotokan fighters, their numbers continue to decline.

DUE FOR RELEASE MID DECEMBER 2010
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Category:

Sports

Tags:

• Shotokan
• JKA
• Funakoshi
• Nakayama
• Nishiyama
• Abe
• Kase
• Enoeda
• Tanaka
• Kawasoe
• Kanazawa
• Yahara
• KUGB
• JSKA
• WKF
• ESKA
• Yoshitaka
• karate
• ITKF

[Aindelic7839]

at least we still have Malcom Dorfman, Shane Dorfman, Tanaka Sensei and many others :p

[200374]

@Aindelic7839 - yes, you're right, and it is our intention to add additional volumes as time passes, and we have the footage available. There are many other Shotokan giants that deserve mention, and we are actively searching for material on them.

[oleczuz]

@ NapoliGiordano - ossu! okinawan name of Azato sensei is Anko Itosu....

[200374]

@oleczuz Thanks,appreciated.

[NapoliGiordano]

Very good video,

Just a question...

The 1st photo isn ´t  Azato sensei, but Anko Itosu.

Osu

[200374]

@NapoliGiordano  - We will mention this to Harry Cook, but thanks anyhow.

[elenchus]

@theuppro I don't know IEKU but I'm afraid he's right. I've done a great deal of independent research (I'm a shito-ryu stylist) and modern karate has relatively to do with shuri-te. Perhaps the naha-te fair better with goju, I haven't been to those schools so I can't say. This is a common trait of 20th century Japanese MA development. Judo combined two styles of lethal jujutsu into a sport art with rules. Aiki-jujutsu became aikido, which, although not a sport, de-emphasized combat.

[CaptainLeRoy158]

I have to say nice work. There are so maany great Shotokan people out there it is hard to get them all included. I just hope that the legacy doesn't die as these great leaders pass on. I hope that the direction of Shotokan Karate remains true to the beliefs of these truely great masters.

[skifhania]

@oleczuz itosu and azato sensei was 2 different persons!! both of them were sensei's of funakoshi!!!

[IEKUKATAKA]

@theuppro I speak from the experience of 47 years and the research of about 25. You don't like it because it invalidates you. I will not STFU simply because there are those that want to know the truth, you apparently are an exception. Shotokan has lost nothing? Shotokan intentionally cast away most of karate, compare the general syllabuses yourself. Karate is original to Okinawa, Funakoshi's home. You want and need me to be wrong, sadly, I am not. The JKA does something karate is not, Kyogi Te.