Shotokan

is a style of karate, developed from various martial arts by Gichin Funakoshi (1868–1957) and his son Gigo (Yoshitaka) Funakoshi (1906–1945). Gichin Funakoshi was born in Okinawa and is widely credited with popularizing "karate do" through a series of public demonstrations, and by promoting the development of university karate clubs, including those at Keio, Waseda, Hitotsubashi (Shodai), Takushoku, Chuo, Gakushuin, and Hosei.

is the organisation formed originally in 1930 by master Gichin Funakoshi to teach and spread the art of karate-Do. Nowadays, the name also designates a formal practice method.

Japanese martial arts term literally meaning (training hall) rules

karate technique

style of karate

Nijūshiho or Niseishi, Nandan sho (二十四歩) (Japanese: Twenty-Four Steps) is an advanced kata practiced in Shotokan, Shitō-ryū, Chito-ryu, Ryūei-ryū, Shuri-ryū and Wadō-ryū karate.

karate technique

, is the most advanced kata found in the Shotokan, Shito-Ryu and Wado-Ryu karate styles and is generally taught to karateka at the 3rd to 4th Dan. It contains many intricate hand techniques, such as the ippon-nukite (one finger strike) in the opening sequence. Unsu also contains a 360-degree spinning double-kick with a double-leg take down at the same time, landing on the floor face-down before continuing. Because of this, it is a very common kata in tournaments and seen as method of testing the competitors knowledge, spirit and skill.

Hangetsu (半月) (Japanese: "Half Moon") is an advanced kata practiced in Shotokan karate. It originates from the Naha-te school. The first part is executed slowly with strong breathing, stressing the development of the hara, or energy field. This sequence shares a strong similarity with Seisan. The second part of the kata is more dynamic in its execution, with an explosion of punches as well as graceful mae geri (front kicks). Due to the shared principles of expansion and contraction, Gichin Funakoshi substituted Hangetsu for Sanchin in the Shotokan curriculum. Mastery of this kata rests on mast