Tokon Shotokan Karate.
I am often asked what the difference is between Tokon Shotokan Karate and all the other average Shotokan styles. Well, if you were to look at it from the outside you will find that there are some elements that do look quite similar and yes, some of the Katas do have the same names and could be seen as similar to other Shotokan Styles or clubs. As you get down to the Kata Bunkai {Applications} and the Tokon Style Principles you will find that there is no comparison between the average Shotokan Style and that of Tokon Shotokan. Tokon Shotokan is absolutely more advanced not only in thinking but also in training. Bringing together the old and the new making it more relevant and modern. Thus Tokon Shotokan Karate is more in line with the modern trends and absolutely up to date with what is happening in the world today. Staying true to the Traditional way of Shotokan means that none of the original Shotokan principles are lost. Preserving the discipline and respect of Shotokan Karate.
Most Shotokan Style has a total of 45 to 47 Katas where as Tokon Shotokan Karate has 91 Katas. This includes Ken & Iai Jutsu Katas, Kyujutsu Katas and other weapons Katas. But it is the Style principles or key movements of Tokon Karate that makes it a style unlike any other. The aim of Tokon Shotokan is to develop the mind of each individual student and not just the body. To give the student a broader outlook and a fuller scope of Martial arts. Making the student not just a better fighter but also smarter, increasing his/her chances of outsmarting any attack even greater. Students of Tokon Shotokan Karate Ken &Iai Jutsu International tend to think and examine the details of all Martial arts in detail. Students are always challenged to think deeper and to find more solutions to any situation. It is for that reason, that Tokon Shotokan Karate encourages the student to discover their own Bunkais and are asked to demonstrate those ideas on every grading.
In Tokon Shotokan Karate the student can decide whether to train the complete style as one or to specialize in one or more areas of Tokon Shotokan Karate. With this in mind, we have students that only practice the art of Kyujutsu (Archery) or Ken &Iai Jutsu(Sword art). And each of these has its own complete grading system.
To try and compare Tokon Shotokan Karate to other Shotokan Styles would be the same as trying to compare a Rolex wrist watch to that of a sun dial. Because we don’t look down on other styles, we are able to learn more and even attend competitions of other styles. And that is what the TSKKIA All Styles competition is all about.
In Tokon Shotokan Karate every student is graded according to His or Her own capability and it is the style that must bend around every disability and not the student that must bend to the style. That is why students of all abilities can easily train Tokon Shotokan Karate. With us it does not matter if you are missing an arm or an leg or if you are confined to a wheelchair, at Tokon Shotokan Karate any one can train.