What is Karate or Karate -Do?


  • The word “Kara” means empty, and “Te”, means hand; thus, karate means "empty hand"
  • Adding the suffix "-dō" (pronounced "daw"), means "the way/path
  • karate-dō, implies karate as a total way of life that goes way beyond the self-defense applications.

What are the Dojo Kun’s (karate school affirmations or goals)?


  • Seek perfection of character
  • Be faithful
  • Endeavor (to excel)
  • Respect others
  • Refrain from violent behaviors.

The Five Principles of Karate-Do


  • To be cautious
  • To strengthen both body and mind
  • To think always before we act
  • To live in Harmony with all persons
  • To be fair-minded.

How many different styles of karate are there?


The five earliest karate styles developed in Japan are:

  • Shotokan
  • Wado-ryu
  • Shito-ryu
  • Goju-ryu. And
  • Kyokushin kaikan.

Which Karate Style has the Shotokan Academy adopted to?


Shotokan Academy strictly adheres to the Traditional Shotokan Karate discipline!

What is the meaning of Shotokan?


  • The Japanese kan (館 kan) means "house" or "hall"
  • In honour of their sensei, Funakoshi's students created a sign reading shōtō-kan, which they placed above the entrance of the hall where Funakoshi taught
  • Later on, Shotokan became the name of the first Karate dojo (the "honbu dojo" - central dojo) but over time it became the name of style of karate that Sensei Funakoshi taught/practiced

Who is Funakoshi?


  • Master, Gichin Funakoshi
  • November 10, 1868 – April 26, 1957
  • founder of Shotokan Karate-Do
  • attributed as being the "father of modern karate”
  • one of the Okinawan karate Masters who introduced karate 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.

What is the aim of Karate, doesn’t it make you become violent?


  • Absolutely not
    • The kicking and punching and physical training are just a small part in making you become a Karateka
    • The Karate teachings and system by defaults molds you into becoming a better person with self-control and will encourage you to keep distance and avoid any confrontations and violence
    • It will drive you to always opt in applying diplomacy and resolve any situation peacefully and amicably
  • The ultimate aim of the art of Karate lies not in Victory nor Defeat, but, in the perfection of the character of its participants

Does Karate teach discipline?


  • Karate teaches more than that, a true way of life and a solution to many problems facing our communities right at this instant
  • Shotokan Karate has widely and internationally been proven to be among the best in instilling discipline, building character, developing confidence, harnessing leadership potential among others, in all, irrespective of gender or age
  • The trainings are designed to automatically administer the core values and life skills such as respect, discipline, self-esteem, self-control, mental focus, agility and fitness into all of its students
  • You are taught how to focus your energy in positive directions
  • The beauty of it is that you are automatically rewarded for making good choices and achievements without having to be told.

How many classes am I expected to attend, what is the time commitment and how long will it take me to become a black belt?


  • Depending on your,
    • grade and age you need to commit to 30min to 1hr 30min per day, at least 2 to 3 days a week under training and supervision of a qualified instructor,
      • you also need to allocate around 10 minutes daily or on alternate days on your on to go through the techniques and physical trainings taught
    • level of commitment and dedication to the art, a black belt 1st Dan can be acquired within 3 to 5 years.

Is it advisable for parents to train along with their kids?


  • They say, “A family that kicks together, sticks together”
  • Past experiences have proven that children that have their parents along on trainings, do better than others
  • This may somehow vary depending on the age of the kids i.e for infants and children of 4 years and below tend to seek frequent attention from their parents, this may hinder their progress as well as their parents hence preferably to be handled separately
  • This is however not the case with kids of 5years and above who have to some extent matured and can easily follow instructions. They will enjoy the family trainings, and this mostly triggers a sense of competition and a need to impress their parents and instructors hence boosts development.

Do I need to put on a Karate uniform?


  • A Karate uniform is called a Gi or Gi’s and Yes, you will certainly be required to put one own while in class
  • You will not be pressured to be on a Gi from the 1st class though would recommend doing so or within the 1st 2 months so that you get used to training while on it
  • You will however not be allowed to go for grading unless on an official white karate gi, refer to your Instructor on the kind of Gi’s acceptable at the Shotokan Academy since not all Gi’s are Karate Gi’s or allowed at the center
  • There are Gi’s available in the local market i.e 35% cotton and 65% polyester and vary in prices
  • We highly recommend 100% cotton and of minimal 8 OZ with no embedment’s apart from the brand and Shotokan Academy’s logo
  • You can seek guidance from your Instructor; however since we do not manufacture them, we can only offer assistance and therefore no official receipt can be issued from the Academy.

What is the acceptable mode of payments for the applicable charges to the Shotokan Academy?


  • Cash transactions are strictly not acceptable
  • With effect from March 2018, all payments are either directly to our bank account or via Safaricom Pay bill no. that is connected to the bank account
  • Bank Account details,
    • Shotokan Academy,
    • Gulf African Bank,
    • KES A/c 0900157601
    • USD A/c 0900157602
  • Safaricom Pay bill number,
    • Pay bill number – 524911.
  • You are kindly requested to comply as follows: -
    • All cheques to be drawn to “Shotokan Academy”,
    • Bank deposits slips, TT’s etc once effected Original remittance slip/s to be handed over to the office or instructor or clear scanned copy of the original e-mailed to contact@shotokanacademy.co.ke,
    • Forward confirmation message from Safaricom to 0795-00-95-00 for any payments made via pay bill number,
    • Ensure timely payments and all payments to be accompanied by an official receipt.

What are your official full style contacts?


Kindly follow the link Contacts, otherwise as per below

Shotokan Academy,
P.O.Box 89093 – 80100, Mombasa,
Dedan Kimathi Avenue,
Serani Sports Ground,
Tel: +254 - 795-00-95-00
        +254 - 782-00-95-00
        +254 - 777-00-95-00
E-Mail: contact@shotokanacademy.co.ke,
Website: www.shotokanacdemy.co.ke.