Gichin Funakoshi

$25.73 0 Bids or Best Offer 6d 12h 6m 6s, $25.66 Shipping, eBay Money Back Guarantee
Seller: digitalclansman ✉️ (3,558) 100%, Location: Forfar, Angus, GB, Ships to: WORLDWIDE, Item: 116121694080 Gichin Funakoshi.

I'm clearing out many of my martial arts DVDs as I need the space. Up for auction is 'Gichin Funakoshi'. This is the original DVD with slip-cover. 

This DVD is an absolute must for Shotokan karate practitioners or for anyone interested in karate history. Gichin Funakoshi is undoubtedly recognised as the most successful Okinawan karate master who introduced karate to Japan. Featured on this DVD is historical footage of Funakoshi Sensei performing ippon kumite techniques with Isao Obata. This classic footage had never been seen before by the public until it was released on this DVD by Don Warrener of Rising Sun Productions. It was reportedly archived by the JKA and was filmed before the JKA was even formed. Pre-JKA Masters such as Nakayama, Kanazawa, Okuzaki, Shirai, Enoeda and Nishiyama are captured performing when they were in their early years. This footage dates back to the 1940’s and early 50’s. Although a lot of this footage has ultimately made its way onto YouTube since this DVD was released, its not presented in the context of the overall documentary and its useful to have this footage on one DVD for easy access, especially as YouTube channels have a habit of disappearing over time.

Gichin Funakoshi (1868-1957) is considered the "Father of Modern Karate" in Japan, since he was at the forefront of the reform of karate, transforming it from an obscure Okinawan art taught only to the nobility, to a form of physical recreation for the masses. 

Master Funakoshi was largely responsible for introducing karate to the Japanese mainland in 1922 at the request of the Ministry of Education. Immediately afterwards, together with Makoto Gima, he demonstration karate in front of Jigoro Kano and a large gathering of Judo instructors at the Kodokan, the headquarters of Judo in Japan.

Master Funakoshi subsequently began teaching karate at Tokyo’s Meiseijuku, a dormitory for Okinawan students. 

In 1924 Master Funakoshi  adopted the use of the white Do-Gi (Karate-Gi) as well as the kyu and dan rank system from Judo.

The first University Karate club was established in Keio University later that year and by 1932 Karate was present in nearly every University in Japan. 

In 1936, Master Funakoshi built the first Shotokan dojo at Mejiro in Tokyo’s Toshima ward, from money raised by his students. Called the "Shotokan" (Shoto's Hall) after Master Funakoshi's pen name, the first purpose built Shotokan karate dojo was destroyed in 1945 as a result of allied bombing. 

Master Funakoshi became honorary head of the Japan Karate Association upon its establishment in 1949. On April 10, 1957, the Ministry of Education gave official recognition to the JKA and it became a legal entity. A mere sixteen days later, at the age of 89, Master Funakoshi passed away. A large public memorial service was held at the Ryogoku Kokugikan (Ryogoku National Sumo Hall), attended by more than 20,000 people, including many famous names who came to pay their respects.

A memorial monument to Master Funakoshi was established at Enkakuji Temple in Kamakura. Members of the JKA pay an honorary visit on April 29th each year, the date of the Shoto Festival.

Many of the practices he established have ultimately become synonymous with karate across all styles and the style of karate he established, called Shotokan, is now one of the most widely practiced martial arts across the world.

Note: That all DVDs are sold on a non-return basis. I won't accept returned DVDs however in the unlikely event that a faulty DVD is received I will offer a refund but only on the receipt of the returned faulty DVD. All the DVDs I have up for auction are from my own personal collection which has been collected over many years in the martial arts. They have been well cared for and properly looked after including cleaned and polished regularly. 

If you've ever purchased a DVD from an online auction site or from an  online retailer you will be well aware of the disappointment and frustration caused by DVDs that freeze, stick or don't play properly? All the DVDs I have up for auction are guaranteed to play flawlessly. All have been checked personally before listing to ensure there are no issues with the disc. 

Master Funakoshi famously said "To search for the old is to understand the new". As such this DVD has a place, alongside Master Funakoshi's biography "Karate Do: My Way of Life", for every newcomer to Shotokan karate to help understand the origins of the system they are studying.  I also have Master Funakoshi's book dnd an interpretation of it on DVD, up for auction at the moment, so please view my other listings.

Each DVD sold at auction has been checked to ensure that they play  flawlessly before putting them up for auction. A percentage of all proceeds go to support NOWZAD Dogs, a charity that rescues dogs and other animals from war torn conflict zones and re-homes them in non-conflict zones so please bid as generously as you can as every penny helps.

Check back regularly as I'll be listing more of my collection on eBay  over the next few weeks.

  • Condition: Good
  • Condition: Lightly viewed but in good overall condition, well cared for. Discs may have some surface scratches but will not affect play. All discs checked before dispatch to ensure they play flawlessly.
  • Non-Domestic Product: No
  • Video Format: NTSC
  • Case Type: Tall/DVD Case
  • Custom Bundle: No
  • Sub-Genre: Martial Arts, Japanese Karate, Shotokan Karate, Historcal Karate Documentary, Gichin Funakoshi Biography
  • Studio: Rising Sun
  • Film/TV Title: Gichin Funakoshi
  • Modified Item: No
  • Subject: Martial Arts
  • Format: DVD
  • Region Code: DVD: 1 (US, Canada...)
  • Language: English
  • Features: Martial Arts, Japanese Karate, Shotokan Karate, Historical Karate Documentary, Gichin Funakoshi Biography
  • Genre: Martial Arts, Karate, Japanese Karate, Gichin Funakoshi Biography, Historical Karate Documentary
  • Country/Region of Manufacture: United States

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