[Kanji_The_Wanderer]

Originally Posted by Rikku777

Yeah Kanji, can you explain it a little more? Did you have cotta's and stuff, what was the main focus of it?

Interested in Shotokan huh? It was great, Shotokan translates to " Pine Waves House." Shoto= pine waves, kan= house.

Shotokan training is usually divided into three sections: kihon or "basics", kumite or "sparring", and kata (forms or patterns of moves).

Shotokan techniques in kihon and kata are characterised by deep, long stances which provide stability, powerful movements and also helps strengthen the legs.

Strength and power are often demonstrated instead of slower, more flowing motions. The kumite techniques mirror these stances and movements at a basic level, but progress to being more "free" and flexible at a higher level.

Funakoshi (creator) is said to have found the traditional martial arts (such as sumo, jujutsu and kenjutsu) to be too focused on combat, and he put more emphasis on health, breathing, releasing energy and outstanding mind and body control. Shotokan can be regarded as a hard and 'external' martial art.