The origins of the Martial Arts go back well over a thousand years to the continent of Asia. A Buddhist monk named Bodhi Dharma developed a system of physical training based on Yoga breathing methods and a type of Chinese unarmed fighting. This method of physical training spread throughout Asia over a period of many years. A vital link betwwn Japan and mainland China is a small island off the south coast of Japan called Okinawa. It was on the island of Okinawa, the traditional point of contact between Chinese and Japanese cultures, where the development of Karate as we know it began. In Okinawa during the period between 1609-1868 the use of weapons was prohibited by the ruling government of Japan. This circumstance forced the people of Okinawa to become proficient at fighting with only their bare hands for defensive purposes. This method of defense originated from China and over a period of some 300 years different forms of bare hand fighting evolved in various areas of the island. In 1902 a student of one of these bare hand masters was a small man by the name of Gichin Funakoshi. What Funakoshi did that was different than other people at that time was develop a systemized and logical approach to learning the art of bare hand fighting. In 1917, Funakoshi was invited to give demonstrations on mainland Japan. The Japanese were so impressed that in the early 1920's Karate was introduced to the Japanese elementary school system. It was during this period it was given it's name based on the name of the main Dojo ( School ) in Kyoto called Shotokan or blowing palms. This style soon became very popular in Japan and was eventually mandatory training for all young men.
At the end of the second World War the teaching of Martial Arts was outlawed by the occupying Amercan forces. The ban was soon lifted following the establishment of peace. Post-war American servicemen living in Japan discovered this Martial Art and encouraged Karate instructors to follow them to the USA. One of these was Hidetaka Nishiyama. Sensei ( Teacher ) Nishiyama was one of the original Japanese students of Master Funakoshi. He Eventually went on to establish the International Traditional Karate Federation.
The Gander Shotokan Karate School is an active member of the ITKF and the Central Newfoundland Karate Schools. A group of schools focused on providing the best possible training for our students. Our connectiion to Nishiyama is through Sensei Rick Jorgensen, a 7th degree Black Belt based in St. Catherines, Ontario. In addition to the Gradings and seminars provided by Sensei Jorgensen the Central Karate Schools invite instructors such as Mark Minerek, Canadian Kumite and Kata champion to host seminiars.
