Based in Cape Town, South Africa
Karate - Judo - Kickboxing
School of Martial Arts
Shindokan Karate - A New Awakening
Shindokan is the name of our dojo/federation and was founded by Shihan Max Grunau. The style of karate is called Ishinryu which was founded by Shihan Ticky Donovan O.B.E. and follows the traditional system of Karate. After many years of soul searching and seeing the way karate was heading, towards the competition arena and away from the Budo-way, Shihan Grunau decided to return to the more traditional understanding of karate. This included bringing back the Nage-waza (throwing techniques), Ashi-waza (foot sweeps) into daily training. Shihan believes there is a place for sport karate in one's training, but this should comprise only 5% of the effort. Excessive focus on sport training has led to injuries and contributes to students' reluctance to continue training. A student with a good understanding of Kihon (basics) and Kata (form) makes for a strong foundation and can continue his/her training for a lifetime. "The art of karate is not to be compared with sports such as rugby or cricket which are played seasonally",
says Shihan Grunau, "There is no rest for the Karate man for he must remain in a continual state of preparedness and fine condition. This is his life task, seeking perfection of character."
The History of Karate
The true history of traditional karate is almost impossible to verify due
to the secrecy surrounding the arts and the lack of written records. It is
known that the martial arts of Okinawa and Japan were influenced in the development
of their martial arts by various Chinese sources. It is also clear that at
least one source of influence on Chinese martial arts came from India.
As legend has it, the evolution of karate began over a thousand years ago,
possibly as early as the fifth century BC. But it really took root in Okinawa
where it evolved into modern karate since the 14th century, with its more
structured system appearing in the 18th-19th century.
In its earliest stages, the martial art known as "karate" was an
indigenous form of closed fist fighting which was developed in Okinawa and
called Te, or 'hand'. Weapons bans, imposed on the Okinawans at various points
in their history, encouraged the refinement of empty-hand techniques and,
for this reason, was trained in secret until modern times. Further refinement
came with the influence of other martial arts brought by nobles and trade
merchants to the island.
The concept of Do has been prevalent since at least the days of the Okinawan Scholar Teijunsoku born in 1663, as this passage from a poem he wrote suggests:
No matter how you may excel in the art of te,
And in your scholastic endeavours,
Nothing is more important than your behaviour
And your humanity as observed in daily life.
In summary: Shindokan's Judo, Karate, and Kickboxing develops the whole person through play, discipline, respect and discovering oneself in one's opponent and as such will lead to happier and better adjusted individuals.
Child Psychiatrist, Kano Institute of Martial Arts