Shotokan Karate Style

Shotokan Karate is one of the four main schools of Karate in Japan. It is best characterised by its long and deep stances and its use of more linear movements.

Shotokan Karate has little of the circular movements found in Okinawan styles of karate, nor does it have the body conditioning and supplementary training exercises typical for Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate.

Shotokon Karate is considered by many a sports style of Karate, where tournaments and point-sparring are central to the art.

Origin of Shotokan Karate: Japan

Founder of Shotokan: Gichin Funakoshi (Originally an Okinawan Karate Instructor who moved to Japan)