Funakoshi - Hero or Villian?

[LeaF]

I agree SubmissionFighter. I really enjoyed Funakoshi's book, and many of the changes he made were to popularize the style in Japan, and also many of the deadly moves once taught to him had no place in his time, and should not be taught to shcool children which is why it was dulled down. He would never have got Karate placed in part of okinawa's school ciriculam if it was the same deadly art which was taught to him. The art needed to change to suit it's time period and the changing culture of Okinawa and later Japan. He may have began studying due to his poor heath, as he as a sickly child, but that is not why he countinued it, He fell in love with the art. And as for his one fight, it was not due to him not being able to defend him self but rather because he was a very humble man, whcih was shown throughout his life, specfically which he had to take a job as a gardener and sell all this cloths to save enough money to keep his dojo in japan open. So to me funakoshi was a hero, and admire the bravery and courage he demonstrated when taking upon himself the momentous task of spreading Karate to Japan

[Killer Miller]

That's why he was known as the "Founder of modern day Karate." The art had to be changed, and originally was very high stances and open hand killing techniques - the day of the Samurai...

 

Karate can never be taught as it was intended originally because the concept was training for the "Perfect Execution of Technique." In basic terms, the perfect "killing" technique. When I taught classes, when I had my Dojos, I had to be careful about using the word "perfect killing technique," the parents would come unglued!!! However, this is the concept that you had to train with to truly understand the art...

 

If you get a chance, read the book Gorin No Sho (spelling?), "The Book of Five Rings." If you want to get a true taste of what fighting was really about in the old days, read this book - very facinating... However, immagine trying to teach these concepts in today's Karate! You would be arrested, or sued at the very least... Immagine teaching your students perfect killing techniques, then telling them to go out and "Kill" each other for testing!!! LOL, your black belt exam would be that you are still living>>

 

So yes, Funakoshi was definately a hero because he effectively preserved the arts in a civil mannor. Shoto-Kan practitioners ("Shoto" being Funakoshi's pen name, and "Kan" being building or dojo) are very strong and effective in their Kumite and Kata because these principles are still taught. And please, I don't want to hear how it's a "hard" style, because you would be comparing the lower level practitioners and not the higher, fluid, and more experienced levels...

 

- Killer -

I agree SubmissionFighter. I really enjoyed Funakoshi's book, and many of the changes he made were to popularize the style in Japan, and also many of the deadly moves once taught to him had no place in his time, and should not be taught to shcool children which is why it was dulled down. He would never have got Karate placed in part of okinawa's school ciriculam if it was the same deadly art which was taught to him. The art needed to change to suit it's time period and the changing culture of Okinawa and later Japan. He may have began studying due to his poor heath, as he as a sickly child, but that is not why he countinued it, He fell in love with the art. And as for his one fight, it was not due to him not being able to defend him self but rather because he was a very humble man, whcih was shown throughout his life, specfically which he had to take a job as a gardener and sell all this cloths to save enough money to keep his dojo in japan open. So to me funakoshi was a hero, and admire the bravery and courage he demonstrated when taking upon himself the momentous task of spreading Karate to Japan

[KENSHI]

I dont want talk too much, but without Funakoshi Gichin maybe karate doesn't like now.

[KU]

I dont want talk too much, but without Funakoshi Gichin maybe karate doesn't like now.

 

I understand what your trying to say.

 

Does it really matter what kind of person Funakoshi was I personally think he knew what he was talking about and that's all that matters to me. As long as your enjoying training in shotokan and you find it forfiling why worry about it.

[KarateTips]

What I found interesting in his book was the whole philosophy of karate-do being about "not fighting". This is what Funakoshi lived by and promoted as the spirit of karate-do.

 

However if you look at his masters, Itosu in particular, there are numerous stories where Itosu apparently had no problem giving someone a hiding if they deserved it!

 

I wonder if it had been Itosu that introduced karate to mainland Japan whether the spirit of karate-do would have a different meaning! Perhaps karate would be about "fighting"?

[Truthseeker]

Funokoshi is karate's own Ghandi figure in terms

 

of his morality to combat. He helped infuse karate

 

with ideals and a positive philosophy...this

 

maybe so...but not much else worthy of note. In fact

 

he's done more harm than good.

 

He has bequethed a method of training fit best for

 

school children and those of like mind. The training

 

methodology he designed is for discipline first, second

 

and third. Those comtemparies who shed sweat and tears

 

practising robotics on mass, constantly show their lack of understanding

 

of sensible body mechnics and rudimentary ideas of

 

themselves as an animal. As a consequence of him modern

 

karate is more like a poor man's kung-fu in relation to

 

it ignoring basic essentials of movement and realistic

 

combat.

[Killer Miller]

Could this be another typical example of someone that knows little about the art and whom is commonly comparing lower levels of development as being the entire art itself??? The traditional art of Karate is far more combat realistic than your opinion leads you to believe... Please be more specific in your statements so those that practise the art can at least have a chance to specifically defend themselves instead of disagreeing with a biased general statement.

 

- Killer -

As a consequence of him modern

 

karate is more like a poor man's kung-fu in relation to

 

it ignoring basic essentials of movement and realistic

 

combat.