Funakoshi Gichin
The Father of Karate-do
1868 - 1957
Funakoshi Gichin
Funakoshi Gichin
Funakoshi Yoshitaka (a.k.a. Gigo)
A Pioneer of Modern Karate-do Techniques
1906 - 1945
Funakoshi Gichin practices with Bo
Group photo with Funakoshi Sensei, son Yoshitaka (also known as Gigo) and the author.
George Takahashi [as he appeared in 1977] is the founder and Chief Instructor of the West Los Angeles Karate Club. He is a graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles, where he also taught Japanese language until his retirement in 1982. Mr. Takahashi has written several books on Japanese culture and language, as well as Martial Arts. He has the distinction of being among the first group of Americans to receive Sho-dan (1st degree) ranking in Shotokan Karate-do. Mr. Takahashi received his Sho-dan from Ohshima Tsutomu Sensei in 1959, and currently holds Roku-dan (6th degree) ranking in Shotokan Karate-do.
George Takahashi with his brother, Gene, who is the founder and Chief Instructor of the Marina Karate Club in Culver City, California.
George Takahashi
Photo Credit: John Ball
Master Funakoshi was a person of small frame and very gentle disposition. His calmness hid his great passion, energy, and dedication to the promotion of Karate-do.
As I remember it, the first book he wrote was entitled, Karate Jutsu (karate technique). But, just as the father of modern judo, Master Jigoro Kano, systematized the old ju-jutsu and established modern Judo (gentle way), Master Funakoshi selected Katas and techniques from among the different styles of karate and established them as budo and called it Karate-do (way of karate).
The personality of Sensei (Funakoshi) can be described as one of authority without pushiness; he was outwardly gentle but as strong as steel inside. I believe it is because of such a personality that he was able to succeed in the great task of infusing spiritual qualitites into the art.
In regards to the techniques of karate, he was constantly thinking of how to perfect the art. For instance he advocated that the toes turn inward and the heels outward in the Kibadachi stance. After many tests he concluded that it is stronger to face the opponent in the front stance. He always stressed the importance of researching the meaning of each move in Katas.
I used to hear from karate students of other styles that Shotokan overstresses Kata training and that they doubted whether it will work in actual combat situations. But I am firmly convinced that their criticisms were unfounded. Moreover, I had faith and confidence in what Sensei believed.
In the 1930s karate was only taught at a few of the university clubs and at the famous Mitsukoshi Department Store in Tokyo. Sensei would visit each of these clubs to give instruction.
I developed my interest in karate sometime before I met Sensei in person. I had obtained the book he wrote, Karate-do Kyohan, and had used it to study on my own. Later when I was drafted into the army and became an officer, I was able to seek out Sensei's dojo (hall) in Tokyo and met him personally for the first time.
What I recall the most of that first meeting was that I felt as though I had met my own, kind, father. I remember feeling so relieved upon finding him. I also remember the closeness and the deep sense of respect I felt for Sensei at that time. Looking over the kata performance I learned from his book, Sensei said, "There are many photographs in the book that look poor. There are many pictures of techniques and stances that could not be effective in combat. But I did try to show the correct positions of the hands and feet so that people can learn them." He then explained to me in a kind way, "Remember that in techniques there are variations in speed, power, tension, and release. For example when you "kiai," if it is a sound that comes only from your mouth, it has no value. Unless "kiai" explodes out from your stomach joining the whole of your body power and your spirit, it is meaningless."
I studied karate for three years, six days a week, receiving instruction from Sensei every other morning and every other evening receiving instruction from Sensei's son Yoshitaka, who worked for the Ministry of Education at that time. When I passed my Sho-dan test, Sensei personally congratulated me and presented me with a black belt.
Naturally, the training was very strict. Often I was swept off my feet and onto the floor for not having a firm stance. At other times I was pulled at and thrown against the wall for leaning too far forward by trying to punch too hard. I had hoped to give a punch that Sensei could not block at least once, but I never suceeded.
Once I wanted to invite Sensei to a big restaurant for dinner on my payday; but when we came upon a small, modest restaurant he said, "Let us go in here," and all he ordered was a bottle of beer and a small dish of peanuts. He was that kind of person.
At that time I wanted to hear about some of the courageous exploits he must have had in his youth, and asked him if he might relate some of them to me. But without saying anything about them, he said, "Yes, there were some incidents, but, as I think about them now, I would say that avoiding and escaping is the best way to fight trouble. Recently there are reports that some karate students are getting into trouble with hoodlums and the police. This worries me in the most; we must always remember that we are carrying dangerous weapons with us...."
Around this time there arose among karate students what was called the "thousand time exercise." What they did was to repeat every technique at least one thousand times. Sensei seemed particularly pleased with this movement.
Once he expressed his concern and regret about the tendency among many students who take the black belt examination without fully mastering their techniques. He said, "I would rather have them show me that they have fully mastered Heian Shodan with 100% confidence. Students nowadays are anxious to learn new techniques without mastering the ones they just learned. Further practice and study is always important...."
Sensei always emphasized the spiritual and mental discipline as well, and admonished us against crude behavior in speech and action.
Sensei spoke often about the value of old Okinawan weapons. He suggested that I learn Bo (stick) a little from his son. "It is helpful," he said, "in developing the muscles and learning to see your opponent." I learned only one Bo kata although there were many students who knew many.
When I was finally ordered overseas, I went to say goodbye to Sensei. I remember being very nervous when I went to see him, but he greeted me with his usual smiling face and said, "Well, well... so you are going to leave us finally... please remember the things I taught you and make use of them in critical situations, but I ask you never to act rashly or without deliberation." Then he added, "Don't forget to practice your punches at least thirty minutes a day; you know, if I don't punch the makiwara for three days, my fist becomes itchy and reminds me to punch the board." I truly felt as though I was saying goodbye to my own father.
As I recall now, his son Yoshitaka told me to ask his father for Master's calligraphy. I regret very much that I did not have sufficient time to get it, although I had asked him, to which he responded that he would give it to me as soon as he found the time.
After the war, I had to stop practicing karate because of my health, but I will always be grateful and glad of the fact that I had the opportunity to receive his instruction. Even after forty years, every time I recall Sensei's soul-piercing kiai, I am shaken and aroused from my mental slumbers.
