Gichin Funakoshi

Known as the ‘father of modern day Karate’, Gichin Funakoshi is one of the most well known of the Karate Masters. His influence on the art of Karate Do knows no boundaries within specific styles. This influence has impacted many different styles of Karate. However, non more than his founding style of Shotokan Karate Do.

He was born in 1868 in Shuri, Okinawa. His martial arts journey began in early childhood with his good friend’s father, Anko Azato. Funakoshi dedicated much time to his training. He would often travel in the evenings to the Azato family home to learn and train with Azato. After training many years, Funakoshi would become one of the main Okinawan Karate Masters who would introduce Karate to the Japanese in 1922.

Having trained in Shorin Ryu Karate, Gichin Funakoshi developed his own style called Shotokan. This style was originally named after his pen name ‘Shoto’ and ‘kan’ meaning training hall. Funakoshi was a dedicated poet and philosopher as well as a martial artist. The name ‘Shoto’ translates to waving pines. It was in 1936 that Funakoshi opened his first Shotokan Karate Dojo in Tokyo. His teachings soon gained much popularity and he developed a large student following. It was his goal to spread interest in Okinawan Karate. He developed an organization named Dai- Nihon Karate Do Kenkyukai which later changed its name to Dai- Nippon Karate Do Shoto Kai. This organization still continues to this day and is one of his many legacies to the martial arts.

One of the changes Funakoshi did was to change the meaning of ‘Karate’. He changed it from ‘China Hand’ to ‘Empty Hand’. It was his belief that this could be misleading and confusing for students. He thought that people would think that its origins were only from Chinese Boxing. Funakoshi also believed that ‘Empty hand’ described the art of Karate Do best. As it was a weaponless art which relied primarily on a person’s hands. Another influence that Master Funakoshi had was that he was an accomplished author. He wrote several books, including his autobiography called Karate Do: My Way of Life. One of his most influential piece of work was known as “ Niju Kun” (twenty principles). The Niju Kun is at the foundation for all Shotokan Practitioners. Its a list of rules to help practitioners, be there best and do there best both as martial artists and as human beings.

Having dedicated his entire life to Karate Do, Funakoshi influenced many people. His teachings and legacies live on in the students that he taught and their students. Known as an educated and a humble man, one of Funakoshi’s most famous sayings was, “ The ultimate aim of Karate lies not in victory or defeat, but in the perfection of character of its participants.” This quote says it all and is an example of what an influential man Master Funakoshi really was.

Tracy Warrener has been fortunate to have been raised within the Martial Arts since the age of 4 years old and is a 4th Degree Black Belt in Goju Ryu Karate. She has had the opportunity to study with some amazing Martial Artists. Sensei Richard Kim, Sensei Peter Urban, Professor Don Jacob, Sensei Jim Wilson, Professor Wally Jay, just to name several. Of course her main Sensei is her father, Sensei Don Warrener. Throughout the 40 plus years of her involvement in the Martial Arts, she has worked her way from being a student of the martial arts to a Martial Arts Sensei ,teaching hundreds of students. She has ran and managed martial arts schools teaching students of all ages, worked within the community teaching at fitness centres, schools, businesses and Women’s Shelters, the benefits of Karate. One the causes close to her heart is teaching and empowering young girls and women the importance of self defence and awareness. Her program called Look Strong! Act Strong! Be Strong! focuses on easy self defence techniques and mind self defence techniques. In 2013 she was awarded The Silver Lifetime Achievement Award in the Masters of the Martial Arts Hall of Fame in California for her contribution to Women in the Martial Arts. She is also a Certified Reflexologist and Reiki Master. She has starred in three of her own DVDs produced by Rising Sun Productions on Reiki, Reflexology and her Look Strong ,Act Strong ,Be Strong Self Defence Program. tracy.warrenerentertainment@gmail.com

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