Gichin Funakoshi | Timeline

Gichin Funakoshi (船越 義珍, Funakoshi Gichin, November 10, 1868 – April 26, 1957) was the founder of Shotokan karate-do, perhaps the most widely known style of karate, and is known as a "father of modern karate". Following the teachings of Anko Itosu and Anko Asato, he was one of the Okinawan karate masters who introduced karate, but after Ankō Itosu sensei, Funakoshi sensei's teacher, had introduced the art pre-1922, to the Japanese mainland in 1922. He taught karate at various Japanese universities and became honorary head of the Japan Karate Association upon its establishment in 1949. (Intro from Wikipedia)

This particular timeline is sketchy due to lack of precise dates

November 10, 1868 - Yamakawa, Shuri, Okinawa - Gichin Funakoshi is born

January(?) 1(?), 1880 - Yamakawa, Shuri - From 11-years-old he begins studying "to-te jutsu" under Azato Anjo and Itosu Anko. The practice of this martial art was banned by the government, so it had to take place in secret and students were forbidden by their masters to talk about it with anyone

January(?) 1(?), 1888 - Yamakawa, Shuri - After taking the qualifying exams, 21-year-old Funakoshi takes charge of a classroom for the first time as a substitute teacher. At night he sneaks to Master Azato's house to practice karate

January(?) 1(?), 1890(?) - Naha, Okinawa - Funakoshi passes more examinations and qualifies for instructor. He is transfered to the okinawan capital of Naha =(START)

January(?) 1(?), 1906 - Naha - His third son, Yoshitaka (Gigō) Funakoshi, is born

January(?) 1(?), 1913 - Naha - 7-year-old Yoshitaka is diagnosed with tuberculosis

June(?) 1(?), 1913 - Naha - As chairman of the Shobukai, the martial arts association of Okinawa, Funakoshi organizes a group to travel around Okinawa performing public demonstrations of karate

January(?) 1(?), 1917 - Tokyo, Japan(?) - Visits mainland Japan and demonstrates karate at the Butokuden, the japanese center of martial arts

January(?) 1(?), 1918 - Naha - 12-year-old Gigō Funakoshi begins studying karate as a means to improve his health

December(?) 1(?), 1921 - Naha - The Okinawa Prefecture is invited to participate in a demonstration of ancient japanese martial arts. The japanese Department of Education asks Funakoshi to introduce the okinawan art of karate in Tokyo. He accepts immediately.

January(?) 1(?), 1922 - Tokyo, Japan - 54-year-old Gichin Funakoshi introduces "karate-jutsu" in mainland Japan at the first Ministry of Education-sponsored Physical Education Exhibition. It is an incredible success

May 1(?), 1922 - Tokyo - With the success of his demonstration in mainland Japan, Funakoshi is pressed to stay in Tokyo. So he relocates to the japanes capital and becomes a professional teacher of Karate-do

June(?) 1(?), 1922 - Tokyo(?) - Funakoshi publishes a book entitled "Ryukyu Kempo Karate", about the art of "karate-jutsu"

September 1, 1923 - Tokyo - His dojo is not destroyed during the Great Kanto Earthquake, but he looses several students when the city burns

April 1(?), 1924 - Tokyo - Funakoshi produces the first ever "Dan ranking certification"

January(?) 1(?), 1929 - Tokyo - Changes the name of "karate-jutsu" (Chinese-hand martial art) to "karate-do" (the way of the empty hand), establishing the philosophy of karate and the twenty precepts of the new martial art

January 29, 1936 - Tokyo - Establishes the "Shotokan" dojo in Tokyo at his own expense. (Shoto = Pine waves, the sound of wind blowing through the pines, resembling ocean waves)

May(?) 1(?), 1945 - Tokyo - Gigō is hospitalized. Funakoshi moves to the Koishikawa District of Tokyo when is dojo is destroyed by an air raid

September 1(?), 1945 - Ōita, Kyushu, Japan - Moves to Ōita, Kyushu, with other refugees, after Japan's surrender. He reunites with his wife there

November 24, 1945 - While in Ōita - Gigō Funakoshi dies of tuberculosis, aged 39

January(?) 1(?), 1946 - Ōita, Kyushu - The book "Karate Do Nyumon" by Gigō and Gichin Funakoshi is released. Gigō wrote the technical part, while his father wrote the preamble and historical parts

October(?) 1(?), 1947 - Tokyo, Japan - Returns to Tokyo in Autumn

January(?) 1(?), 1948 - Tokyo - Develops osteoarthritis

May 1(?), 1949 - Tokyo - Becomes honorary head of the Japan Karate Association (JKA)

September 1(?), 1956 - Tokyo - Writes the preface for his book "Karate-do - My way of Life"

April 10, 1957 - Tokyo - The Ministry of Education gives official recognition to the JKA

April 26, 1957 - Tokyo - Gichin Funakoshi dies, aged 88 =(END)