The Masters – Self Defence Classes Croydon with Traditional Shotokan Expertise
Funakoshi Gichin
Master Gichin Funakoshi – Founder of Modern Karate
Master Funakoshi Gichin, revered as the Father of Modern Karate, was born on November 10, 1868, in Yamakawa, Shuri, in Okinawa Prefecture. Coming from a distinguished samurai lineage, his family had once served as vassals to the Ryukyu Dynasty—an honorable heritage that would shape his character and dedication to martial arts.
From a young age, Funakoshi demonstrated remarkable aptitude in the Ryukyu martial arts. By the age of 11, he had already begun intensive training under Master Azato Anko, later also studying under Master Itosu Anko. Both masters recognized not only his exceptional technical ability but also his humility and moral integrity—qualities that would define his lifelong contribution to karate.
As he continued to refine his skills, Funakoshi served as chairman of the Okinawa Martial Arts Society and taught at the Okinawa Teacher’s School. In 1922, at the age of 54, he was invited to demonstrate Okinawan karate-jutsu at the first Ministry of Education-sponsored Physical Education Exhibition in Tokyo. This event marked the first public display of karate in mainland Japan and served as a turning point in the national recognition of the art.
Among those deeply impressed by his demonstration was Kano Jigoro, the founder of judo, who invited Funakoshi and his student Gima Shinkin to perform kata at the prestigious Kodokan dojo. Following the overwhelming success of that event, Funakoshi was encouraged to remain in Tokyo to continue teaching and promoting karate.
He began his journey in Tokyo at Meiseijuku, a dormitory for Okinawan students, and in the same year published his first book, Ryukyu Kempo Karate. As the first written work on karate-jutsu in Japan, it generated wide interest and contributed significantly to karate’s growing popularity.
In 1924, Funakoshi introduced the first Dan ranking system to formally recognize student progress. Influenced by his Zen practice under Abbot Furukawa Gyodo of Enkakuji Temple, he adopted the Buddhist concept that “form is emptiness, and emptiness is form,” and shifted the meaning of "karate" from "Chinese hand" (唐手) to "empty hand" (空手). This philosophical transition reflected karate’s evolving identity—not just as a fighting method, but as a way of life and self-discipline.
To make karate more accessible across Japan, Funakoshi translated and standardized kata terminology from Chinese and Okinawan dialects into Japanese. In 1929, he officially renamed the art from karate-jutsu (the technique of karate) to karate-do—“the way of the empty hand.” He also outlined the Twenty Precepts of Karate, articulating a clear moral and spiritual framework for the discipline.
As demand for formal training spaces grew, Funakoshi founded the Shotokan dojo in 1939—funded personally. The name “Shotokan” was derived from his pen name, “Shoto,” meaning “pine waves,” inspired by the sound of wind through pine trees, a symbol of calm strength found in his calligraphy and poetry.
Funakoshi devoted himself to teaching karate in educational institutions across Japan, helping establish university and high school clubs that laid the foundation for karate’s widespread acceptance. Despite the destruction of the Shotokan dojo during World War II, his students preserved his teachings and, in 1949, founded the Japan Karate Association (JKA) with Funakoshi as its Supreme Master.
In 1957, just 16 days after the JKA received official recognition from Japan’s Ministry of Education, Master Funakoshi passed away at the age of 89. His public memorial, held at the Ryogoku Kokugikan Sumo Hall, was attended by more than 20,000 mourners, reflecting the deep respect he had earned throughout Japan and the martial arts world.
Today, his legacy endures. A memorial monument stands at Enkakuji Temple in Kamakura, where JKA members gather each April 29th during the Shoto Festival to honor his memory and reflect on the values he instilled—discipline, humility, perseverance, and the true spirit of karate.
Funakoshi’s vision of karate as both a martial art and a vehicle for personal growth continues to inspire practitioners around the world, including those seeking self defence classes in Croydon rooted in tradition, respect, and lifelong learning.
"Mastering technique and mastery of self, I am convinced that if young people practice karate with all their heart and all their soul, they will eventually arrive at an understanding of my words. He who is aware of his own weaknesses will remain master of himself in any situation; only a true weakling is capable of true courage. Naturally, a real karate adept must refine his technique. Through training will he be able to recognise his own weaknesses"
Gichin Funakoshi Sensei, Karate do, my way of life
"Karate is, and always has been, a method of self defence, never a technique of aggression. However, it is much more than that. To a dedicated student, it is a form of combined physical and mental discipline from which a student can learn the value of personal attribute such as kindness and sincerity.
To the Karate Master, self-control is quite as important as mastery of the various techniques. The Karateka never seriously uses his skills unless a threat is unavoidable and other defences are inadequate"
Matoshi Nakayama Sensei, Best Karate book
Honoring the Legacy: Master Nakayama Masatoshi and the Spirit of Shotokan Karate
(1913 - 1987)
Master Nakayama Masatoshi (1913–1987) remains one of the most pivotal figures in the development and global spread of modern karate. Born in April 1913 in Yamaguchi Prefecture, he descended from the Sanada clan of Nagano—a lineage of renowned swordsmanship instructors. With martial tradition deeply rooted in his heritage, Nakayama was destined to carry forward the discipline and spirit of Japanese martial arts.
In 1932, Nakayama entered Takushoku University, where he immediately joined the karate club and began training under Master Funakoshi Gichin, the founder of modern karate, and his son Funakoshi Yoshitaka. This formative experience ignited a lifelong dedication to the art. Determined to deepen his understanding, Nakayama later traveled to China to expand his studies in martial arts and culture.
After returning to Japan in May 1946, Nakayama reconnected with fellow karate practitioners and helped revive the Shotokan tradition. In 1949, under the leadership of Master Funakoshi as Supreme Master, they founded the Japan Karate Association (JKA)—a historic milestone in karate's evolution. By 1955, the JKA had established its headquarters in Yotsuya, Tokyo, leading to the development of numerous branch dojos across the country.
The JKA’s dedication to promoting the spirit and philosophy of karate-do was formally recognized in 1957, when the Japanese Ministry of Education granted the association official status. This recognition was a testament to the JKA’s role in shaping karate into a respected martial art rooted in discipline, self-improvement, and moral character.
Master Nakayama’s influence was profound. He pioneered a rational and structured method of teaching karate, tailored to the needs of each student—whether for physical conditioning, self-defence, or competition. His scientific approach to training emphasized both practical application and biomechanical efficiency, ensuring that techniques were both powerful and effective.
To safeguard the integrity of traditional karate, Nakayama established the world’s only specialist instructor training program, a rigorous two-year course designed to develop elite instructors. This program, still active today, exemplifies Nakayama’s commitment to excellence and authenticity in karate instruction. Under his leadership, the JKA became the only karate organization where full-time instructors gathered daily for collective training and refinement.
Among Nakayama’s most notable contributions was the creation of karate’s first official match system, designed to ensure that competition upheld the values of respect, control, and technical precision. The inaugural JKA All Japan Karate Championship was held in 1957 and drew overwhelming attendance. By 1961, at the fifth championship, the event was honored by the presence of His Majesty the Crown Prince of Japan (now the Emperor), further elevating the art’s prestige.
Despite his efforts to modernize and promote karate worldwide, Master Nakayama remained deeply grounded in the philosophical teachings of Master Funakoshi. He embodied the principles of humility, respect, and the foundational tenet: "There is no first attack in karate." His leadership style reflected a quiet strength rooted in spiritual awareness and moral discipline.
Nakayama taught that every technique should reflect one’s full commitment and that the true spirit of karate lies in the unity of kihon (basics), kata (forms), and kumite (sparring). He believed that karate was more than physical training—it was a path for personal development and character refinement.
In his later years, Nakayama distilled his knowledge into the acclaimed 11-volume series Best Karate, which continues to guide practitioners around the world in both technique and philosophy.
Master Nakayama passed away in 1987 at the age of 74, leaving behind a legacy that remains foundational to Shotokan Karate today. His dedication to preserving and sharing the essence of karate-do ensures that students—from beginners to advanced—can learn karate in Croydon and around the world with integrity, purpose, and deep respect for tradition.
Enoeda Keinosuke –
The Shotokan Tiger
(1935 – 2003)
"Tora", meaning "Tiger" in Japanese, was the name bestowed upon Master Keinosuke Enoeda for his fierce fighting spirit and unmatched intensity. A legendary figure within the Japan Karate Association (JKA), Master Enoeda is celebrated as one of the most charismatic and powerful exponents of Shotokan Karate—the most widely practiced karate style in both Japan and Europe.
Master Enoeda’s martial lineage was rooted in tradition and honor. Born on July 4, 1935, in Fukuoka, Kyushu, he descended from two distinguished samurai families dating back to the Meiji era. This noble heritage set the tone for a life dedicated to discipline, mastery, and the true spirit of karate-do.
From the young age of seven, Enoeda immersed himself in martial arts, beginning with judo, a path he pursued seriously throughout his school years. As a high school competitor, he earned second place in the All Japan High School Judo Championships and achieved the rank of 2nd dan by the age of 17. That same year, however, a karate demonstration by Takushoku University students profoundly changed his path. Enthralled by the power and precision he witnessed, Enoeda chose to pursue karate, shifting his focus completely.
Enoeda enrolled at Takushoku University, renowned for its elite martial arts program, and began his formal Shotokan training under Master Funakoshi Gichin, the founder of modern karate, and his son, Funakoshi Yoshitaka. He quickly distinguished himself, earning his 1st dan within two years and later serving as captain of the university karate club.
After graduating in 1957 with a degree in commerce, Enoeda was accepted into the JKA’s prestigious instructor training program, where he trained intensively under Master Masatoshi Nakayama, JKA’s Chief Instructor, and Hidetaka Nishiyama. His training was relentless, and he soon became a formidable competitor on the national stage.
From 1961 to 1963, Enoeda consistently placed in top positions at the JKA All-Japan Karate Championships, culminating in his crowning achievement in 1963—winning first place in kumite after defeating fellow instructor Hiroshi Shirai in a gripping final. He was also a finalist in kata, further demonstrating his well-rounded expertise. His devastating punching power, honed through years of training on the makiwara (striking board), earned him the reputation for having the strongest punch in Japan.
Following this victory, Enoeda's reputation spread internationally. President Sukarno of Indonesia, impressed by his performance, invited him and Master Nakayama to train military personnel and bodyguards. This marked the beginning of Enoeda’s international teaching career, contributing to the global expansion of Shotokan Karate under the JKA banner.
In the years that followed, Master Enoeda traveled extensively, sharing his expertise across South Africa, the United States, and Europe. He eventually made the United Kingdom his home, serving as Chief Instructor for the JKA in Great Britain. Under his leadership, the UK developed one of the strongest Shotokan karate communities in the world. Many of his students would go on to become international champions and respected instructors.
Beyond the dojo, Master Enoeda’s influence extended into popular culture. Known for his dynamic presence and precision, he trained actors such as Sean Connery, Michael Caine, Lee Marvin, and Ingrid Pitt, contributing to the authenticity of martial arts choreography in film.
Master Enoeda’s legacy is not only found in his victories and accomplishments but in the lasting impact he made on his students. His teaching style was direct, powerful, and uncompromising. With a commanding presence and unshakable spirit, he inspired generations of karateka to push beyond their limits, embodying the values of perseverance, humility, and technical excellence.
Among Shotokan’s most revered instructors, Master Keinosuke Enoeda remains an enduring symbol of strength, spirit, and mastery. His title, “Tora”, perfectly captured the essence of his karate—a fierce yet disciplined expression of the martial way, deeply rooted in the traditions of bushido and the teachings of his masters.
