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Gichin Funakoshi was born in Shuri, Okinawa on November 10th 1868.  

It was during his early primary school years that he was first introduced to the study of "Tode" or "Chinese Hand" under Master Yasutsune Azato as his family felt that by studying the art of karate it might help to strengthen him physically and thus improve the quality of his life. 

As a good student, Gichin Funakoshi flourished under the tutelage of Master Yasutsune Bushi Azato and travelled to his home each evening to practice karate. Later Master Azato would introduce him to another important teacher under whom he would also study, Master Yasutsune Bushi Itosu. It was these two men more than any others, who would have the greatest impact on his life. 

It was while studying karate that Gichin Funakoshi decided to become a school teacher, and so after passing the qualifying examination, he took charge of his first primary school class in 1888. It was a profession he was to follow for more than thirty years. 

A high point in Gichin Funakoshi's karate took place on March 6, 1921 when he had the honour of demonstrating the art of "Okinawan te" to then Crown Prince Hirohito during a visit he made to Okinawa. Then, in the spring of 1922, Gichin Funakoshi travelled to Tokyo where he had been invited to present his art of Tode. Shinkin (Makoto) Gima assisted. Funakoshi was also asked to demonstrate in the venerated Kodokan (the home of Judo), and this demonstartion with Shinkin (Makoto) Gima as his assistant marked the beginning of karate in Japan. Funkaoshi demosntrated Kwanku (Kanku Dai) whilst Gima demonstrated Naihanchi (Tekki) After the demonstration he was strongly urged by several eminent groups and individuals to remain in Japan, and indeed he never did return to live in Okinawa, he stayed among his own people at the prefect Ural students dormitory at Suidobata, Tokyo. He lived in a small room alongside the entrance and would clean the dormitory during the day when the students were in their classes. At night, he would teach them karate.

As it had in Okinawa, the educational system of Japan was to become a major factor in the spread of karate. By 1924 Gichin Funakoshi had started to introduce karate to several of the local universities, first at Keio, followed by Chuo, Tokyo, and Waseda to name but a few. It was through these universities that he was able to reach a much larger audience and this contributed greatly to the growing popularity of karate. 

Funakoshi was not only a genius in martial arts, but he was also a literary talent, and he signed all of his works "Shoto" which was his pen name. Hence, the dojo where he taught came to be known as "Shoto's school" or "Shoto's kan". Funakoshi sensei had combined the techniques and katas of the two major Okinawan styles to form his own style of karate, as a result, most Shoto-based karate-do includes the powerful techniques of the Shorei style of karate, as well as the lighter more flexible movements of the Shorin style of karate. 
  
In the beginning Funakoshi sensei taught only sixteen katas, they were: Kankudai, Kankusho, five Heian kata (known in Okinawa as Pinan kata), three Tekki kata (known on Okinawa as Naihfanchi), Wanshu, (later to be known as Empi), Chinto, (later to be known as Gankaku), Passai, (later to be known as Bassai), Jitte, Jion, and Seisan (later to be known as Hangetsu), since he felt that sixteen katas were more than enough for one lifetime. 

Gichin Funakoshi passed away in 1957 at the age of 87.  Aside from being the inspiration behind all Shoto-based karate and introducing it to Japan, he also wrote "Ryukyu Kempo: Karate-do" and "Karate-Do Kyohan" - The Master Text.  His autobiography is "Karate-Do: My Way of Life". These books and his art are a fitting legacy for this unassuming and gentle man.
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