frankvanqueens (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

You are totally incorrect! This is the product of lack of historical knowledge and improper training in the arts! The characters originally meant,"China hand", the Japs changed it to "empty hand". They couldn't believe that peasant farmers could defeat the Samuri Sword with farm tools! The Koreans are correct,because Tang Soo Do, means "Art of the hands of Tang", Tang Dynasty = China. The Japanese imperialists didn't want to credit China with their art. Because of nationalism.

crempel71002 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

That isn't why shotokan has no weapons, it is because no karate has weapons. Karate means open-hand (no weapons in hand!). Besides, the techniques taught in Shotokan are useful. Kata, however, are only useful in determining if a karateka has trained enough to learn more. It really gets interesting when you get into kumite, as most of the traditional stances are lost in favour or more fluid ones. Technique, however, remains important.

frankvanqueens (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Shotokan katas are performed on a gymnastic line to get points. When the Masters created them, they didn't perform them for points! And they didn't end up in the same spot either! Strikes have become blocks such as in Bassai Dai, as since Funakoshi didn't want to offend his Japanese bosses who employed him. Why are there no weapons in Shotokan? Ans: because it isn't real karate or martial art! A good boxer can literally destroy a Shotokan man. Upright, stiff, linear, no way to roll iwth punches!

MartialArts4Ever (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

No, shotokan kept them, Shotokan katas are actually the opposite of gynamistic. Besides, went in a different direction than Okinawan stuff, that doesn't mean it isn't as good.

InfernalAngel9513 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Gichin Funakoshi almost always bring tears to my eyes. It is incredibly beautiful to see him practice with just humility.

frankvanqueens (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Funakoshi was not considered the greatest of Masters of Okinawa-Te. Shotokan has moved away from the original art. It was changed to a physical activity with no bearing on the real art. Katas were changed along gymnastic performance lines. Deadly techniques were eliminated or changed. It's nice to watch, but not what the Masters of Okinawa taught!

guitarspectre (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

shotokan is one of the traditional karate; and the music remembers God Father because tune k; Japan is Japan

USASouthKorea150 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

I didnt know Gichin funakoshi was in the mob? LOL. this music sounds like something off the Godfather movie.

TrueTubersStrikeBack (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

wooow im naked right now! S

FabricatingDeath (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Have any of you read his autobiography, ''Karate-Do - My Way of Life?'' It's a great book about his life and his accomplishments. He did so much for the art of karate. May he rest in peace. Great video, too!