Gichin Funakoshi was born in Shuri, Okinawa in 1868. As a boy, he was trained by two famous masters of that time. Each trained him in a different Okinawan martial art. From Yasutsune Azato he learned Shuri-te. From Yasutsune Itosu, he learned Naha-te. It would be the melding of these two styles that would one day become Shotokan karate.

Funakoshi-sensei is the man who introduced karate to Japan. In 1917 he was asked to perform his martial art at a physical education exhibition sponsored by the Ministry of Education. He was asked back again in 1922 for another exhibition. He was asked back a third time, but this was a special performance. He demonstrated his art for the emporer and the royal family! Atfer this, Funakoshi-sensei decided to remain in Japan and teach and promote his art.

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Tetsuhiko Asai Of all of the JKA Instructors, there are few like Tetsuhiko Asai. When you watch him fight, there’s something quite mesmerising. He is incredibly nimble on his feet, and employs fantastic abilities to evade via ducking, jumping and spinning. Those who have trained with him comment on his deep, but very thoughtful personality and witness a mountain of knowledge behind his eyes.

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