Dotokushin Karate / Konanryu Tode

Karate evolved from an indigenous fighting system developed in Okinawa referred to as “Te” 手 (literal translation ‘hand’ or ‘martial skills’).

Te 手 continued to progress over the years, primarily in three Okinawan districts: Shuri, Naha, and Tomari. For this reason, separate forms of self-defense developed within each area and subsequently became known as Shuri-te, Naha-te, and Tomari-te. Collectively they could be referred to as Okinawa-Te.

Through the influence of China, Te was eventually synthesized with what the Okinawans learned of Chinese martial arts and was known as “To-te” (or Tode) 唐手 (Chinese hand, or more specifically, Tang Dynasty hand) .

The Chinese character used to write Tode 唐手 could also be pronounced ‘kara’ thus the name Te was replaced with Kara-te.

During the time when Gichin Funakoshi was popularizing Karate in Japan, an alternate character meaning ‘empty’ but pronounced ‘kara’, 空 was adopted . Henceforth the art was referred to as 空手 kara-te (empty hand). It is said that Funakoshi changed the character for its meaning in Zen Buddhist philosophy and to “render oneself empty” .

The “Do” in Karate-Do refers to a ‘way’ or ‘path’, and is indicative of the discipline and philosophy of Karate-do; with moral and spiritual principles underpinning the Art.

Founded in 1974, Dotokushin Karate is a descendant of the Nippon Kobudo Rengokai combined martial arts (which take in karate, jujitsu, aiki-jitsu and, to a certain extent, kobudo).

A great debt of gratitude goes out to Albert C. Church and his lineage, and to Raymond O. Isgett, the guiding light in the formation of Nippon Kobudo Doshikai, which morphed into Dotokushin-kai a couple of years later.

Dotokushin Karate is a synthetic system passed down through Albert Church, combining the karate styles of Shito-ryu and Goju-ryu. Konanryu includes not only its Okinawan components, but also draws on the Chinese heritage.

To separate itself from the umbrella teaching organization of the same name, Dotokushin Karate is also known as “Konanryu Tode” (Hard/Soft style). “Tode” was used instead of “Karate” to emphasize the Chinese connection that influences the system.

Karate can be practiced for a number of reasons: as a physical fitness regimen, a cultural and art activity, a sport activity, a personal growth model, and as an art of managing interpersonal conflict. In our school, we emphasize the latter.

While we do not engage in any sport practices, some of our students do pursue the other aspects.

The kata list includes the kata syllabus of Kamishinryu and Tetsukenryu, essentially blending together the kata of Shitoryu with many Gojuryu kata. This kata list contains all the "famous" kata of both styles as well as a number of "learner" kata.