The Legacy of Funakoshi Gichin O’sensei : How One Man Brought Karate to the World

When we bow at the start of a Shotokan class, most of us don’t think about the man who made that moment possible. Yet behind every stance, every kata, and every line of the Dojo Kun stands one humble schoolteacher who changed the world — Funakoshi Gichin O’sensei, the founder of modern karate and the father of Shotokan.

His life was not one of trophies or glory. It was one of quiet persistence, humility, and a deep belief that through karate, ordinary people could cultivate extraordinary character.

• From a Frail Child to a Master of the Way

Funakoshi was born in 1868 in Okinawa, a small island that was then part of the Ryukyu Kingdom. As a child, he was weak and often ill. His parents enrolled him under two Okinawan masters — Anko Itosu and Anko Asato — both legendary figures who trained him in the early forms of Tōde (the local term for what would later become karate).

He didn’t start out as a fighter. In fact, Funakoshi was a gentle, studious boy, drawn more to Confucian poetry than confrontation. But his teachers saw potential. Under their guidance, he learned that karate was not about aggression — it was about mastering oneself.

He once said:

The ultimate aim of karate lies not in victory or defeat, but in the perfection of character.

That single line would go on to define Shotokan philosophy for generations.

• The Journey to Japan

At the turn of the 20th century, Okinawa was still little known outside Japan, and karate was considered a secretive, local art. Everything changed in 1922, when Gichin Funakoshi was invited to demonstrate his art at the First National Athletic Exhibition in Tokyo, hosted by Japan’s Ministry of Education.

Armed with nothing but his discipline, a gi, and his belief in the value of character-building through training, Funakoshi travelled to Tokyo — and stunned the audience. His demonstration was graceful yet powerful, disciplined yet flowing.

The Japanese people, familiar with arts like judo and kendo, had never seen anything quite like it. His movements were clean, efficient, and elegant — the embodiment of harmony between mind and body.

After the event, he was asked to stay in Tokyo and teach. It was a difficult decision. He was far from home, with no money or connections. Yet he believed it was his duty to share karate’s philosophy with the world.

He chose to stay. He cleaned classrooms, lived in small quarters, and taught karate to anyone willing to learn. From that humble beginning, modern karate was born.

• The Birth of Shotokan

As his students grew in number, they built him a dojo in 1936. They named it Shotokan — after his pen name, Shoto, meaning “pine waves”, a poetic reference to the sound of wind moving through pine trees.

The name reflected Funakoshi’s personality: quiet strength, patience, and deep reflection. His students admired not only his skill but his humility. He was known to bow before entering even an empty dojo — a gesture of respect, not for others, but for the Way itself.

Shotokan karate emphasised three things:

 • Deep, stable stances for balance and power.

 • Linear, decisive techniques for clarity and precision.

 • Mental discipline, taught through etiquette, repetition, and self-control.

Through these principles, Funakoshi established a complete system — one that could be practised by anyone, regardless of age or background.

• The 20 Precepts: A Philosophy for Life

Beyond techniques and forms, Funakoshi left behind a set of teachings known as the Twenty Precepts of Karate-dō (Nijū Kun). These were not fighting rules — they were life principles.

Some of his most famous include:

“Karate begins and ends with courtesy.”

“There is no first attack in karate.” (Karate ni sente nashi)

“Spirit first, technique second.”

These precepts shaped karate into more than a martial art. They made it a path of moral education, where the dojo became a microcosm of life. Students were not only learning how to defend themselves — they were learning how to live with integrity, humility, and courage.

Even today, these precepts echo through every dojo. When students bow, when they correct their posture, when they persevere through exhaustion — they are practising Funakoshi’s philosophy in action.

• A Life of Simplicity and Devotion

Despite his fame, Funakoshi never sought recognition. He lived modestly, continued to teach well into his later years, and often emphasised that karate was for everyone — not just the strong or the talented.

He once wrote, “Think of everyday life as karate — for every encounter is a test.” That belief turned the dojo into more than a training hall. It became a reflection of life itself: every bow, every stance, every kata a rehearsal for patience, respect, and perseverance in the real world.

In 1957, at the age of 88, Funakoshi passed away quietly in Tokyo. He had lived long enough to see karate spread across Japan and beyond — to Europe, the Americas, and eventually, the world. Today, millions of practitioners in thousands of dojos trace their lineage back to the man from Okinawa who carried his art to Japan with nothing but conviction.

• His Influence Lives On

The mark of a great teacher is not in the number of medals his students win, but in the depth of their character. Funakoshi’s teachings have endured because they spoke to something universal — the human desire to grow, to persevere, and to live with purpose.

In every Shotokan dojo today — including Shotokan Budokai Malaysia — you can still feel his presence. You see it in the discipline of the students, in the way they bow before stepping onto the floor, in the quiet moments between movements when breath and intent align.

Shotokan remains a living art, not because it stayed frozen in history, but because it continues to guide people towards better versions of themselves.

• Lessons for the Modern World

In a society obsessed with speed, power, and instant results, Funakoshi’s message stands as a gentle reminder: true strength is built slowly, through discipline and humility.

He taught that success in karate — and in life — doesn’t come from defeating others, but from conquering your own ego. It’s about showing up, practising with sincerity, and striving for harmony between thought, action, and spirit.

Every time a student ties their white belt, they begin the same journey Funakoshi began over a century ago — the search for balance, courage, and calm strength in a noisy world.

• Try the Way of the Empty Hand

The legacy of Funakoshi Gichin O’sensei lives on not through monuments or medals, but through people — ordinary individuals who step onto the dojo floor and choose to grow, one class at a time.

If you’ve ever wanted to discover a martial art that strengthens both body and mind, that teaches respect before power and balance before speed — then Shotokan is waiting for you.

 Join a class at Shōtōkan Budōkai.

Start your journey where the spirit of Funakoshi still breathes — on the dojo floor, one bow at a time.