Rainhill Kase Ha Shotokan Karate Academy

Master Gigo Funakoshi

Master Gigo Funakoshi (or Yoshitaka, depending on how you read the two kanji that form his name), was the third son of Master Gichin Funakoshi and is widely credited with developing the foundation of the modern Shotokan Karate style.

He is accredited with the development of:

long distance striking techniques using low stances,
higher kicks including mawashi geri, yoko geri kekomi, yoko geri keage, fumikiri, ura mawashi geri, ushiro ura mawashi geri and ushiro geri kekomi,
deep stances and kicking techniques including, fudo dachi, yoko geri, and mae geri,
the introduction of the kiba dachi instead of shiko dachi and implementing the kokutsu dachi instead of neko ashi dachi stance,
kicking techniques performed with a much higher knee-lift,
the turning of the torso to a half-facing position (hanmi) when blocking, and thrusting the rear leg and hips when performing the techniques; and
a kumite (fighting) style that was to strike hard and fast, using low stances and long attacks, multiple techniques and foot sweeps.

"Open your mind, it determines what you will learn".