Quote:
Originally Posted by sirdarksol
This is interesting. I am to understand that Shotokan was developed around the time of WWII as a national art that would help build physical fitness, combat ability, and discipline in the youth of Japan.
I believe that Funakoshi-Sensei is credited with the development of Shotokan, and he was born in the 1800's, centuries after karate was originally developed.
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There is a Very Good book (Bubishi) by Patrick McCarthy; Which has a lot of different theories, as to what came first (the chicken or the egg)
It was my understanding that at the turn of the twentieth century, Master Itosu, and a few others Changed the Way that Kata was performed, by removing what was considered too dangerous(the Kyusho applications), and shifted the emphasis from Self-defense to physical fitness through group kata practice, but neglected its "bunkai"(application) - and it was this that was taught through the School system - And, by the way, it is Still taught the same way as it was for School Childern Today
