SHOTOKAN HISTORY & LINEAGE
Shotokan Karate History & Lineage
Shotokan Karate History is carried through a direct line of practice from Okinawa to Japan, through Master Gichin Funakoshi, Tsutomu Ohshima Sensei, Canada Shotokan Karate, and the instructors who continue the practice today.
ON THIS PAGE
Explore the Line of Practice
This page gives a short overview of Shotokan Karate history, from early influences and Okinawan karate to Master Gichin Funakoshi, Tsutomu Ohshima Sensei, Canada Shotokan Karate, and the practice continued today in Penticton.
ORIGINS OF KARATE
From Early Influences to Okinawan Karate
The earliest story of karate belongs partly to tradition and partly to recorded history. Early accounts connect the development of physical and spiritual training to Daruma, also known as Bodhidharma, and to the influence of Chinese martial practice carried through the Shaolin tradition.
Karate’s modern development begins more clearly in Okinawa. There, a practical method of unarmed fighting known as Okinawa-te developed over time. Okinawa’s location between China and Japan, along with periods when weapons were restricted, helped shape a highly effective barehanded practice.
Okinawan karate was also influenced by Chinese fighting methods and philosophical ideas. This combination helps explain why karate carries two qualities at once: practical physical technique and a disciplined, nonviolent training philosophy.
GICHIN FUNAKOSHI
The Bridge from Okinawa to Modern Shotokan
Master Gichin Funakoshi was born in Shuri, Okinawa, in 1868. As a young student, he trained under major Okinawan karate teachers, including Yasutsune Anko Itosu and Yasutsune Anko Azato. Through this training, he became connected to the major methods of Okinawan karate practice.
In 1922, Master Funakoshi travelled to Tokyo at the invitation of Japan’s Ministry of Education to introduce karate to mainland Japan. What was expected to be a temporary visit became the beginning of karate’s broader spread through Japan.
His approach brought Okinawan karate into a wider public setting as karate-do: not only a method of self-defence, but a disciplined way of training body, mind, and character. The name Shotokan came from “Shoto,” Master Funakoshi’s pen name.
TSUTOMU OHSHIMA
A Direct Student of Master Funakoshi
Tsutomu Ohshima Sensei was one of Master Funakoshi’s last direct pupils, training under him at Waseda University in Tokyo from 1948 to 1953. His practice began during the difficult postwar years in Japan, when karate was still far less widely known than judo or kendo.
At Waseda, Ohshima Sensei trained with great intensity and was strongly influenced by senior karate practitioners connected to Master Funakoshi’s teaching. In 1952, he became captain of the Waseda University Karate Club and was personally awarded Sandan rank by Master Funakoshi.
In 1955, Ohshima Sensei travelled to the United States to continue his studies at the University of Southern California. He began leading practice in the United States soon after and later founded the Southern California Karate Association, which grew into Shotokan Karate of America.
CANADA SHOTOKAN KARATE
The Line Continues in Canada
Canada Shotokan Karate was formed in 1972 by Gene Malec, George Quessy, and Norman Welch. Each had met Tsutomu Ohshima Sensei through martial arts practice, and that connection shaped the direction of their training.
In Vancouver, Ohshima Sensei invited the formation of Canada Shotokan Karate with original training locations at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, the Westmount YMCA in Montreal, and Sept-Iles in Quebec.
Canada Shotokan members have maintained a close relationship with Shotokan Karate of America and the broader international groups connected through Ohshima Sensei’s leadership. This connection is part of the direct line of practice continued by Canada Shotokan Karate today.
Canada Shotokan Karate Formed
Gene Malec, George Quessy, and Norman Welch formed Canada Shotokan Karate with encouragement from Ohshima Sensei.
Vancouver, Montreal, and Sept-Iles
Early practice was established through UBC in Vancouver, Westmount YMCA in Montreal, and Sept-Iles in Quebec.
Canadian Leadership Continued
After Ohshima Sensei’s retirement, Norman Welch became Shihan of Canada Shotokan Karate.
LINEAGE CHART
From Early Influences to the Practice Continued Today
This simplified chart shows the main historical influences and direct line of practice behind traditional Shotokan karate as it is carried forward through Canada Shotokan Karate and our training in Penticton.
Daruma / Bodhidharma
Early accounts connect physical and spiritual training to Daruma, also known as Bodhidharma, and to the development of disciplined training methods.
Shaolin and Chinese Fighting Methods
Chinese martial practice and philosophical teaching influenced the development of unarmed fighting methods that later reached Okinawa.
Okinawa-te
Okinawa-te developed as a practical method of unarmed fighting, shaped by Okinawa’s location, history, and contact with China and Japan.
Anko Itosu and Anko Azato
Master Gichin Funakoshi studied under major Okinawan teachers, including Anko Itosu and Anko Azato.
Gichin Funakoshi
Master Funakoshi introduced karate from Okinawa to mainland Japan and became a central figure in the development of modern karate-do.
Tsutomu Ohshima
Ohshima Sensei trained directly under Master Funakoshi at Waseda University and later carried Shotokan karate to North America.
Canada Shotokan Karate
Canada Shotokan Karate was formed in 1972 with encouragement from Ohshima Sensei, continuing the traditional line of practice in Canada.
Our Training Today
In Penticton, this practice continues through regular training in fundamentals, forms, partner practice, etiquette, and steady effort.
PRACTICE TODAY
History Is Continued Through Training
Shotokan Karate history is carried forward through more than names, dates, and organizations. It is continued through regular practice: fundamentals, forms, partner training, etiquette, discipline, and steady effort over time.
In our Penticton classes, students are introduced to traditional karate through careful instruction and repeated practice. The goal is not to rush or perform. The goal is to build stronger technique, better attention, physical control, respect, and composure.
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Contact us before attending so you can ask about current class availability, student age, experience level, and the best way to begin.
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