About The Shotokai Encyclopedia
The oldest continuously published traditional Karate-do and classical Budo educational repository on the Internet, established September 15, 1995.
1. Our Origins: 30 Years of Digital Preservation
Founded on September 15, 1995, The Shotokai Encyclopedia (originally launched under the domain shotokai.cl and subsequently unified at shotokai.com) was created during the earliest era of the World Wide Web to address a critical need: the accurate, non-commercial documentation of traditional Japanese Karate-do and classical Budo heritage.
For over three decades, our editorial archives have preserved rare historical manuscripts, primary photographic documents, technical treatises, and personal memoirs of the masters who shaped modern martial arts.
2. Scope and Editorial Philosophy
Our archive focuses on the profound spiritual and physical evolution of Karate-do from Okinawa to Tokyo and across the world, centering on:
- Master Gichin Funakoshi (1868-1957): The father of modern Karate-do, creator of the Shoto Niju Kun (Twenty Precepts), and founder of Shotokan.
- Master Shigeru Egami (1912-1981): Direct successor to Master Funakoshi, chief instructor of the Shotokan Dojo, and pioneer of the fluid, non-tension practice that came to define modern Shotokai Karate-do.
- Master Genshin Hironishi (1913-1999): Former President of the Nihon Karate-do Shotokai, author of the historic forewords to Karate-do Nyumon, and primary keeper of oral history.
- The Worldwide Shotokai Family: Documenting official dojos and historical lineages across Japan, Europe, the Americas, and Oceania.
3. Archival Standards & Academic Sourcing
Every article published in the encyclopedia adheres to strict documentary standards:
- Primary Source Translation: Articles derived from Japanese publications, interviews, and official association bulletins (such as the Nihon Karate-do Shotokai and Association Shotokai France) carry full attributions.
- Scholarly Analysis: Comprehensive study series by respected martial arts historians, including Dr. Kenji Tokitsu, Shihan Humberto Heyden, Sensei Atsuo Hiruma, and Master Mitsusuke Harada.
- Zero Commercial Distortions: The encyclopedia remains an independent educational resource with free public access to all texts and historical media.
4. Global Dojo Registry
In addition to our historical texts, we curate the Worldwide Shotokai Dojo Directory, an interactive international registry of over 280 traditional dojos and study groups across 35 countries, facilitating international collaboration and practice.
5. Contact & Submissions
We welcome scholarly contributions, historical photographs, corrections, and dojo directory updates from practitioners worldwide.
Editorial Contact & Archival Inquiries:
Dojo Directory Submissions: Please use the submission form located on the Worldwide Dojo Directory.
