Hello,
It depends on what you mean by Shōtōkan-ryū. There was no empty-handed kata using the bent wrist top (outer region of the wrist near the back of the hand) in the “official” kata list of the...
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Hello,
It depends on what you mean by Shōtōkan-ryū. There was no empty-handed kata using the bent wrist top (outer region of the wrist near the back of the hand) in the “official” kata list of the...
Hello,
There are several "opinions" on that matter; however, my best guess is that G. Funakoshi (1868-1957) learnt it from A. Asato (1828-1906).
The main problem with your question is that G....
Hello,
Thank you for your interest in the book!
You are right, "Taikyoku" is the Japanese version of the Chinese word "T'ai-chi". In the book I shortly discuss G. Funakoshi's use of the word...
Hello,
Thank you very much for your wishes!
It is a special book for Karateka with a keen interest in old Shōtōkan, who like to read literal translations with a many footnotes. Therefore there...
Hello,
I am happy to announce that my new and complete English translation of G. Funakoshi’s (1868–1957) book “Introduction to Karate” (Karate Nyūmon) from 1943 is now available as a hardcover...
Hello,
Yes, now that already 65 years went by after the passing of G. Funakoshi and all the losses of the past few years, including the loss of my teacher (who was better known in Europe, I guess)...
Hello,
Are there any news regarding my question above?
Regards,
Henning Wittwer
Hello,
In March 2022 K. Kawanabe passed away. He was a member of the Waseda University karate club, a student of G. Funakoshi and T. Okuyama, and had some students in the USA. His teachings did...
Hello,
The oldest written description of Wanshû was published in 1922. It was written by G. Funakoshi (1868-1957). He has to say about the movement in question that one has to jump up high and...
Hello,
No version of the modern interpretations for "Naihanchi" contains the term "horse". A. Itosu's style of stepping in Naihanchi was referred to as "crab walking" in an article published...
Hello,
The name “Tekki” 鉄騎, chosen by G. Funakoshi (1868–1957) for this kata, signifies “Iron Horse Rider” (not “Iron Horse”).
The kata was formally known by another name that was transmitted...
Hello,
As for A. Itosu (1831–1915), immediately after his death an article series was published in an Okinawa newspaper wherein he is described as sixty percent Naha and forty percent Shuri. This...
Hello,
Unfortunately I am not able to watch the video in your link. However, I guess you are referring to this clip:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjGZLa50Z_w
If so, the performer is a...
Hello,
Here you can find some observations regarding translation problems in the autobiography of G. Funakoshi (1868-1957):
...
Hello,
Back in 1935 G. Funakoshi wrote that his karate can not be transformed into sportive tournaments nor commercialized activities. So, I guess that his karate would have nothing to do with the...
Hello,
Over the past two decades I heard the same thing times and again, namely that the numbers of members of “established” karate schools and clubs decrease, at least here in Germany, Western...
Hello,
I own both editions of the encyclopedia from 2001 and 2010, and the question arose if there are plans for a third edition in the future. If so, are the contributors (for example for the...
Hello,
One week ago my latest German book was published. It’s title is "Shōtōkan - überlieferte Texte & historische Untersuchungen. Band III" ("Shōtōkan - Transmitted Texts & Historical Research....
Hello,
T. Watanabe passed away on January 5, 2018. He became 100 years old. T. Watanabe started to practise karate after Middle School, and subsequently learnt it as a member of Waseda...
Hello,
Yes, the Japanese term “hakkei” 發勁 (old) or 発勁 (modern) is the Chinese term “fa-ching” 發勁 (transcripted more commonly “fajin”). Please note, however, that the same term may be interpreted...
Hello,
This is what I guess. As I wrote above, perhaps in the process of writing down and editing/publishing the interview the editor misread "shihan" instead of "shinan" 指南, or maybe...
Hello,
It is really strange to read this interpretation of "shihan". The character 南 for "south" is spelled "na" or "nan" in Sino-Japanese, certainly not "han". Therefore it really makes no sense....
Hello,
In order to know what went wrong with Shōtōkan, it would be good to know, what G. Funakoshi – the very first director of the Shōtōkan – practised and preached. At least I think this would...
Hello,
My words are simply an answer to your statement that you don't know about G. Funakoshi. In the same statement you mention "bunkai", a word G. Funakoshi apparently did not use. Now you state...
Hello,
A simple fact is that G. Funakoshi (1868-1957) did not use the term "bunkai" in his Japanese writings. He certainly used the term "kumite" ...
Regards,
Henning Wittwer