Gichin Funakoshi | Colorized Photo Compilation

Gichin Funakoshi (船越 義珍, Funakoshi Gichin, November 10, 1868 – April 26, 1957) is the founder of Shotokan karate-do, perhaps the most widely known style of karate, and is known as a “father of modern karate“.[1] Following the teachings of Anko Itosu and Anko Asato,[2][3] he was one of the Okinawan karate masters who introduced karate, but after Ankō Itosu sensei, Funakoshi sensei’s teacher, had introduced the art pre-1922, to the Japanese mainland in 1922. He taught karate at various Japanese universities and became honorary head of the Japan Karate Association upon its establishment in 1949.