| Timeline |
100 Important dates in the history of karate and our dojo |
| Dawn of time |
Native fighting systems emerge around the world |
| 336-323 BC |
Alexander the Great conquers and spreads martial arts (Greek Pankration) around the world including India |
| circa 550 |
Indian Prince Bodhidarma spreads Buddhism to China: Folklore links him to the Shaolin monks and birth of kung fu (Chinese Kenpo) |
| 1156 |
Samurai class emerges (bushido “warrior” code born) |
| circa 1372 |
Okinawa begins trade relations with China introducing foreign fighting systems (such as Chinese Kenpo) to Ryu Kyu Islands |
| 1470 |
Okinawan King Shō Shin bans swords in Okinawa (Kobudo is developed) |
| 1609 |
Okinawa conquered by Shimazu Clan, Weapons banned. Underground (secret fighting arts develop) |
| Circa 1800 |
Matsumura “Bushi” Sōkon born (student of Kanga Sakukawa) who would teach Master Itosu and Asato |
| 1868 |
Gichin Funakoshi Born |
| 1879 |
Funakoshi learns “tode” Tang (China Hand) sometimes called Okinawa-“te” under Asato (who he was friends with his son) and Itosu |
| 1891 |
As early as 1891 the Japanese army showed interest in Okinwan “te” but it was too disorganized / no standards (Itosu would modernize karate) |
| 1882 |
Jigoro Kano modifies traditional Japanese Jujutsu to develop Judo |
| 1889 |
Funakoshi becomes school teacher in Okinawa |
| 1895 |
Dai Nippon Butoku Kai 大日本武徳会 (The Great Martial Virtues Association of Japan) preserve, promote and standardize Japanese budo traditions. Endorsed by Emperor Meiji under the Ministry of Education. |
| 1901 |
Funakoshi & Itosu demonstrate for Shintaro Ogawa (school commisioner) for Kagoshima Prefecture. Permission granted to teach in public schools |
| 1902 |
Funakoshi & Itosu introduce Tode to the Prefectural Diaichi Middle School |
| 1905 |
Itosu introduces students to Pinan katas (extracted from Kanku Dai) as physcial education. Funakoshi would later rename them as Heian |
| 1905 |
Hanashiro Chomo publishes “Karate Gumite” (Shoshu Hen) the fist documented text using 空 meaning “empty” (transition to Japanese Zen) Chomo an assistant of Itosu at at First Prefecture Junior High School |
| 1908 |
Itosu publishes “Tode Jukun” his 10 precepts (to explain the benefits of karate) emphasis on health and fitness to spead in Okinawan schools |
| 1911 |
Dai Nippon Butoku Kai establishes the “Budo Semmon Gakko” (Martial Ways Specialty School) Japan’s West Point Academy mandated judo and kendo courses in all middle schools |
| 1912 |
Funakoshi became president of Okinawan Shobukai (martial spirit promotion society) |
| 1915 |
Itosu dies (Funakoshi carries the torch) |
| 1917 |
Funakoshi is invited by Dai Nippon Butoku Kai to peform at the Butoku-den in Kyoto (the first demonstration of toudi-jutsu in Japan) |
| 1920 |
Mitsuyo Maeda (student of Kano) travels to Brazil to spread judo. Teaches Carlos Gracie – the birth of Brazilian Jiu-jitsu |
| 1921 |
Funakoshi’s big break: He demonstrates karate for visiting Crown Prince Hirohito (later Emperor Hirohito) in Great hall of Shuri Castle. Hirohito was very impressed |
| 1922 |
Shobukai is invited by Ministry of Education to demonstrate at the All-Japan Athletic Exhibition in Tokyo. Funakoshi is selected, and the Karate boom begins. Kano, founder of Judo was in attendance. |
| 1922 |
Kano invites Funakoshi to the Kodokan. Funakoshi performs Kushanku (Kanku Dai) and Makoto Gima Naihanchi (Tekki Shodan). Kano and Funakoshi share ideas |
| 1922 |
Funakoshi publishes “Ryukyu Kenpo Tode” (Shotokan Tiger created for book cover) Kenpo is Japanese pronunciation of Quan fa meaning “fist law” Tōde 唐手 is China “Tang” Hand |
| 1923 |
Funakoshi awards his first rank “1st Dan” to his assistant Makoto Gima. Dai Nippon Butokukai wanted standards *ranks, belts, uniforms |
| 1924 |
First college karate club established Keio University |
| 1925 |
Funakoshi publishes “Rentan Goshin Toudi-jutsu” (Polish your courage for self defense) |
| 1928-1935 |
More than 30 clubs estalbished at Japanese universities |
| 1930 |
Shotokai 松濤會 meaning Shoto’s Group was established by Funakoshi to promote karate. In 1936 it was renamed Dai Nihon Karate-do Shotokai. |
| 1930s |
Political push to nationalize “karate” (remove Okinawan and Chinese terms, etc.) Pinan becomes Heian etc. |
| mid 1930s |
Takeshi Shimoda (Funakoshi’s top assistant dies) Gigo Funakoshi assumes the position and begins to modernize Shotokan Karate with lower stances and more explosive power |
| 1935 |
Jiyu Kumite (free sparring) introduced |
| 1936 |
Funakoshi publishes “Karate-do Kyohan” 教範 or “teaching methods” Funakoshi publishes the kanji 空 (kara) meaning “empty” instead of 唐 (kara). 空 gives a “Zen” philosophy of emptiness |
| FYI |
空 “empty” as in karaoke or empy orchestra (Music void needs filled) Chinese pronunciation is “ku” kuki means atmospshere. Kara/Ku is philosophical (sunyata is a cosmic emptiness) no boundaries/limitless |
| 1939 |
First free standing dojo opened named “Shotokan” |
| 1939-1945 |
WWII (soliders staitoned in Okinawa spread karate to America upon return) *During the occupation General MacArhtur disbanded the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai and other military organizations |
| 1943 |
Funakoshi publishes “Karate-do Nyumon” Nyumon means “introduction” |
| 1945 |
Gigo Funakoshi Dies |
| 1945 |
Shotokan Dojo destroyed in allied bombing |
| 1946 |
First karate school in mainland United States opened by Robert Trias (Shuri-ryu) |
| 1948 |
Unites States Karate Association (USKA) founded by Robert Trias |
| 1949 |
Nihon Karate Kyokai (JKA) organized and led by Nakayama |
| 1952 |
Tsutomu Oshima created organized rules for class sparring (before tournament competition existed) |
| 1953 |
Air Force Stategic Air Command (SAC) General Curtis LeMay invited Nishiyama to tour of American Air Bases and teach |
| 1953 |
Mas Oyama tours United States giving demonstrations of strength and power |
| 1955 |
Tsutomu Oshima attends USC (1957 sets up the first university club at Caltech and is promoted to 5th Dan by Funakoshi) |
| 1955 |
Shihan Bill Viola Sr. begins boxing lessons in Brownsville, PA under Marion “Slugger” Klingensmith |
| 1955 |
First karate tournament in America hosted by Robert Trias” 1st Arizona Karate Championships” at the Butler Boys’ Club in Phoenix |
| 1956 |
Karate-Do Ichiro (Karate-do, My Way of Life) 空手道一路 / published |
| 1957 |
JKA becomes legal entity and incorporates as education body under Ministry of Education |
| 1957 |
Master Funakoshi dies |
| 1957 |
First All Japan Karate-do Championship in Tokyo (Nakayama waited until Master Funakoshi passed away) |
| 1958 |
Oshima produces Nisei Week Karate Championships |
| 1959 |
Bruce Lee arrive in America and teaches Wing Chun / Oshima establishes Shotokan Karate of America (SKA) |
| 1961 |
In May Okazaki arrives in Philadelphia as first official JKA instructor in United States. In 1962 he sets up East Coast Karate Association (branch of the AAKF). |
| 1961 |
In July Oshima requests Nishiyama to preside over his students while he traveled. Nishiyama founds AAKF (branch of JKA) and hosts All American Karate Championships (Arrangement turned bitter). SKA vs JKA |
| 1962 |
North American Karate Championships (Madison Square Garden) Highlights: Mas Oyama Demo, Gary Alexander won Sparring |
| 1963 |
1st World Karate Tournament (University of Chicago) Trias and John Keehan (later called USKA Grand Nationals) |
| 1964 |
Ed Parker Long beach Internationals (Famous Bruce Lee Demo that landed him Green Hornet role) |
| Mid 1960s |
Shihan Viola is introduced to karate by an older friend Medick Capirano who learned martial arts in ROTC |
| Mid 1960s |
Shihan Viola joins a dojo under the direction of JKA and Okazaki (East Coast Karate Association) |
| Late 1960s |
Shihan Viola begins teaching private lessons in Brownsville. His first student was Denny Costello (Cal U Football Player and friend) |
| 1968 |
Jim Harrison hosts he “1st Professional Karate Tournament” in Kansas City won by Joe Lewis |
| 1969 |
Shihan Viola establishes Allegheny Shotokan Karate at East Allegheny |
| 1969 |
Keith Bertuluzzi – first official Allegheny Shotokan Karate dojo student (fellow teacher at East Allegheny) |
| 1970 |
First WUKO (World Union of Karate-do) World Championship in Tokyo – WUKO is now WKF which has Olympic Status |
| 1971 |
Sensei Ray Adams joins the dojo |
| 1973 |
Bruce Lee film “Enter the Dragon” is released (martial arts boom in America) |
| 1974 |
Professional Karate Association founded (Kickboxing) Mike Anderson and Don & Judy Quine – Regular of ABC Wide World of Sports / ESPN |
| 1975 |
JKA Sponsored IAKF Tournament was held in United States which eventually became the Shoto World Cup – ippon-shobu (downing the opponent with one blow) |
| 1977 |
Sensei Bill Viola Jr. born |
| 1979 |
CV (Caliguri and Viola) Productions founded (The first mixed martial arts company in America) |
| Late 1970s |
Jack Bodell earns the first black belt at Allegheny Shotokan (Bodell was a member of The United States Secret Service, protecting President Jimmy Carter) |
| 1980 |
Sensei Ray Walters joins the dojo |
| 1980 |
CV Productions invents the Tough Guy Contest (The first mixed martial arts competition and league in America) |
| 1980 |
Dave Jones wins TKO victory over Mike Murray in the first mixed martial arts championships in the United States |
| 1981 |
5th WUKO World Championships: Tokey Hill wins America’s first Gold Medal in Kumite (Billy Blanks, Silver) |
| 1983 |
Tough Guy Law signed into law by Governor Thornburgh (Banning mixed martial arts in PA) The first legal precedent in US history |
| 1985 |
USA Karate Federation (USAKF) becomes NGB for karate under WUKO a member of International Olympic Committee (President George Anderson) |
| 1985 |
Nishiyama establishes ITKF and feuds with WUKO |
| 1987 |
Shihan Viola named RSO (Regional Sports Organization) Director for USAKF under the United States Olympic Committee |
| 1989 |
Robert Trias dies |
| 1990 |
JKA splits into two factions: Asai (instructor end) vs Nakhara (business end) |
| 1992 |
Shihan Viola hosts the USA Karate Jr. Olympics at University of Pittsburgh Fieldhouse (Member of United States Olympic Committee) |
| 1993 |
First Ultimate Fighting Championship won by Royce Gracie |
| 1995 |
George Anderson and USAKF joins the Pan-American Games (Argentina) |
| 1996 |
USA National Karate-do Federation (USANKF) becomes NGB for Karate in America (Led by Julius Thiry) |
| 1998 |
Arnold Schwarzenegger recognized Allegheny Shotokan as the #1 team in America |
| 1999 |
Doug Selchan wins Kumite Gold at the 1999 Pan American Games |
| 1999 |
Kumite Classic Entertainment is established (Sensei Bill Jr.’s production company) |
| 2009 |
George Anderson Dies |
| 2011 |
Western PA Sports Museum (Heinz History Center) in conjunction with Smithsonian Institute establishes an exhibit to honor Shihan as co-creator of the sport of MMA |
| 2017 |
Tough Guys (Film based on the life of Shihan Viola) and inspired by Sensei Bill Jr.’s book “Godfathers of MMA” |
| 2019 |
Viola Karate Dojo 50 Year Anniversary |
| 2020 |
Karate is an Olympic Sport |
