2022, Volume 18, Issue 1
Kancho Kenneth Funakoshi: a turn-of-the-century karate grand master
Kazimierz Witkowski1
1Faculty of Physical Education and Sports, Wroclaw University of Health and Sport Sciences, Wrocław, Poland
Author for correspondence: Kazimierz Witkowski; Faculty of Physical Education and Sports, Wroclaw University of Health and Sport Sciences, Wrocław, Poland; email: kazimierz.witkowski@awf.wroc.pl
Full text
Abstract
Background & Study Aim: Many studies have been devoted to karate and the person of master Gichin Funakoshi. However, no scholarly study has been devoted to Kancho Kenneth Funakoshi’s message in karate. Kancho Kenneth Funakoshi is known as a world-renowned promoter of budo values through karate. It was important for the master to treat karate as a martial art, a combat sport and a self-defence system. Accordingly, the purpose of the paper was knowledge about Kancho Kenneth Funakoshi activities in Poland.
Material & Methods: The method used was desk research by analysing source materials in the form of articles, books, videos, websites and interviews. Only official and authorized sources were used.
Results: A profile of the master is presented concerning his development in martial arts through judo, kendo and karate to his established position in karate in the United States of America. This is followed by a description of his teaching method and the growing interest in his teaching in the divided karate community in Poland.
Conclusions: Kancho Kenneth Funakoshi brought karate in Poland into the 21st century with dignity by unifying the Polish karate community at the turn of the century. His leadership position in Central Europe contributed to the development of the Funakoshi Shotokan Karate Association (FSKA).
Key words: kumite, Funakoshi Shotokan Karate Association, kata, desk research, budo
