Shotokan
FOUNDER OF SHOTOKAN
GICHIN FUNAKOSHI FATHER OF MODERN KARATE
(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”
.[2] Following the teachings of Anko Itosu and Anko Asato,[3][4] he was one of the Okinawan karate masters who introduced karate to the Japanese mainland in 1922, following its earlier introduction by his teacher Itosu. He taught karate at various Japanese universities and became honorary head of the Japan Karate Association upon its establishment in 1949.
Chief instructor of the Funakoshi Shotokan Karate Association
SHIHAN KENNETH FUNAKOSHI
Shihan Kenneth Funakoshi, founder and chief instructor of the Funakoshi Shotokan Karate Association is fourth cousin to Master Gichin Funakoshi – the founder of Modern Shotokan. He started judo training in 1948 under Arakaki Sensei at the Fort Gakuen Japanese Language School in Honolulu, Hawaii. He attended Farrington High School in the Kalihi District and was on the football team and captain of the Territory of Hawaii (Hawaii was not a state yet) Championship swim team. While attending at the University of Hawaii on a swimming scholarship Funakoshi Sensei started Kempo training under Adriano Emperado from 1956 to 1959.
GRAND MASTER SOKE KEVIN FUNAKOSHI
Sensei Kevin Funakoshi is a certified 9th Dan under Black Belt Hall of Fame inductee and founder of FSKA Shihan Kenneth Funakoshi (cousin to the founder of Shotokan Karate, Gichin Funakoshi also known as the “Father of Modern Karate”). Sensei Kevin Funakoshi started training in 1966 under Shihan Kenneth Funakoshi at the original Hawaii JKA dojo in Honolulu, Hawaii. Following the Funakoshi legacy as a Kumite and Kata Champion at the highest levels of competition Sensei Kevin Funakoshi is now dedicated to bring out the maximum potential from the current generation of Karate students. Sensei Kevin Funakoshi also conducts seminars and examinations here in USA and internationally to affiliate schools as well as non-affiliate clubs