Funakoshi Gichin · Lineage tree

Teachers (2)

• person
  Asato Ankō

  sports_martial_artsShuri-te Confirmed

  Confirmed

  Independent sources state it, including Funakoshi's own account.

  The evidence establishes the claim: it is sufficient and consistent, and any conflicting evidence is resolved.

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  3 sources expand_more

  fact_check

  Independent sources state it, including Funakoshi's own account.

  “Anko Asato (安里 安恒, Asato Ankō, Azato Yasutsune in Japanese, 1827 – 1906) was a Ryūkyūan master of karate. He and Ankō Itosu were the two main karate masters who taught Gichin Funakoshi, the founder of Shotokan karate.”

  — Ankō Asato - Wikipedialink

  visibilityFirst-hand

  ““When I studied under Master Azato, considered to be the greatest karate expert of his time, I was his only student; and when I trained under Master Itosu, he had very few students”

  — Cramer, Mark I.. (2018). The History of Karate and the Masters Who Made It: Development, Lineages, and Philosophies of Traditional Okinawan and Japanese Karate-doinfo

  “Asato and Itosu were among the instructors of Funakoshi Gichin (1868–1957), who in turn was one of the pioneers of karate in Japan.”

  — Green, Thomas A.; Svinth, Joseph R.. (2010). Martial Arts of the World: An Encyclopedia of History and Innovation info
• 
  Itosu Ankō

  sports_martial_artsShuri-te Confirmed

  Confirmed

  Independent sources state it, including Funakoshi's own account.

  The evidence establishes the claim: it is sufficient and consistent, and any conflicting evidence is resolved.

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  3 sources expand_more

  fact_check

  Independent sources state it, including Funakoshi's own account.

  “Anko Asato (安里 安恒, Asato Ankō, Azato Yasutsune in Japanese, 1827 – 1906) was a Ryūkyūan master of karate. He and Ankō Itosu were the two main karate masters who taught Gichin Funakoshi, the founder of Shotokan karate.”

  — Ankō Asato - Wikipedialink

  visibilityFirst-hand

  ““When I studied under Master Azato, considered to be the greatest karate expert of his time, I was his only student; and when I trained under Master Itosu, he had very few students”

  — Cramer, Mark I.. (2018). The History of Karate and the Masters Who Made It: Development, Lineages, and Philosophies of Traditional Okinawan and Japanese Karate-doinfo

  “Asato and Itosu were among the instructors of Funakoshi Gichin (1868–1957), who in turn was one of the pioneers of karate in Japan.”

  — Green, Thomas A.; Svinth, Joseph R.. (2010). Martial Arts of the World: An Encyclopedia of History and Innovation info

Lineage

• Shuri-te Asato Ankō ← Matsumura Sōkon · 2 generations

Member of (1)

• corporate_fareKarate Kenkyukai Probable

  Probable

  Single source.

  The evidence favours the claim and nothing credible contradicts it, but it falls short of establishing it.

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  1 source expand_more

  fact_check

  Single source.

  “This group included Gichin Funakoshi, Chojo Oshiro, Chomo Hanashiro, Chotoku Kyan, Chojun Miyagi, Kenwa Mabuni, Go Ken Ki [Wu Xiangui] (Chinese Master of White Crane Boxing), Kentsu Yabu, Chuhatso [Juhatsu] Kyoda, and Moden Yabiku.”

  — Cramer, Mark I.. (2018). The History of Karate and the Masters Who Made It: Development, Lineages, and Philosophies of Traditional Okinawan and Japanese Karate-doinfo

Students (13)

• 
  Mas Oyama

  sports_martial_artsKarate Probable

  Probable

  Wikipedia confirms Oyama studied Shotokan under Gichin Funakoshi at Takushoku University for two years

  The evidence favours the claim and nothing credible contradicts it, but it falls short of establishing it.

  location_onTakushoku University badge (1946–1948)

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  1 source expand_more

  fact_check

  Wikipedia confirms Oyama studied Shotokan under Gichin Funakoshi at Takushoku University for two years

  “Oyama later attended Takushoku University in Tokyo and was accepted as a student at the dojo of Gichin Funakoshi where he trained for two years.”

  — Wikipedia contributors. (2026). Mas Oyama - Wikipedia (EN). Wikipedia (English)link history info
• 
  Choi Hong-hi

  sports_martial_artsShotokan Doubtfulbalance

  Doubtful – conflicting evidence recorded

  Wikipedia reports Choi's claim, but Funakoshi's own attendance and promotion records, checked by scholars, show no occurrence of Choi

  A source makes the claim, but the evidence does not substantiate it.

  (1937–1942)

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  2 sources expand_more

  fact_check

  Wikipedia reports Choi's claim, but Funakoshi's own attendance and promotion records, checked by scholars, show no occurrence of Choi

  “Choi also claimed to have learned Shotokan karate under Funakoshi Gichin”

  — Wikipedia contributors. (2026). Choi Hong-hi. Wikipedia (English)link history info

  blockdisputes search_offNegative

  “At that time, Funakoshi kept accurate records of attendance and promotions, and there have been no occurences found by scholars of Choi in those records.”

  — Jeffries, Andy. (2023). Opinion piece: Choi Hong-hi, founder or fraudsterlink history info
• 
  Tsutomu Ohshima

  sports_martial_artsShotokan Probable

  Probable

  Ohshima trained directly under Gichin Funakoshi at Waseda University from 1948 to 1953 and was promoted by him; extensively documented

  The evidence favours the claim and nothing credible contradicts it, but it falls short of establishing it.

  (1948–1953)

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  1 source expand_more

  fact_check

  Ohshima trained directly under Gichin Funakoshi at Waseda University from 1948 to 1953 and was promoted by him; extensively documented

  “Ohshima began studying karate in 1948, while a student at Waseda University. There, he trained under Shotokan's founder, Gichin Funakoshi”

  — Tsutomu Ohshima (Wikipedia EN)link history info
• 
  Taira Shinken

  sports_martial_artsKarate Confirmed

  Confirmed

  Taira was introduced to Gichin Funakoshi in Tokyo in 1922 and studied karate under him

  The evidence establishes the claim: it is sufficient and consistent, and any conflicting evidence is resolved.

  (1922)

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  2 sources expand_more

  fact_check

  Taira was introduced to Gichin Funakoshi in Tokyo in 1922 and studied karate under him

  “introduced to Gichin Funakoshi, a fellow Okinawan and karate instructor”

  — Taira Shinken (Wikipedia EN)link history info

  “Funakoshi Sensei was already well versed in the Bo and the Sai and may have encouraged Taira Sensei in his studies”

  — Shinken Taira - JKR-UKlink
• person
  Ōtsuka Hironori

  sports_martial_artsKarate Probable

  Probable

  Well documented in the Wado-ryu Wikipedia article: met Funakoshi in 1922, trained under him and was among his first promoted black belts in 1924, assistant instructor in his Shotokan school by 1927

  The evidence favours the claim and nothing credible contradicts it, but it falls short of establishing it.

  (1922)

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  2 sources expand_more

  fact_check

  Well documented in the Wado-ryu Wikipedia article: met Funakoshi in 1922, trained under him and was among his first promoted black belts in 1924, assistant instructor in his Shotokan school by 1927

  “In 1922, he met Gichin Funakoshi and began to train under him.”

  — Wadō-ryū - Wikipedia (EN). Wikipedia (English) link history info

  “In 1924, Ōtsuka became one of the first students promoted to black belt in karate by Funakoshi.”

  — Wadō-ryū - Wikipedia (EN). Wikipedia (English) link history info
• 
  Mochizuki Minoru

  sports_martial_artsKarate Confirmed

  Confirmed

  First-person account in the Karaté-Bushido interview: three months of Gichin Funakoshi's courses in Tokyo, though Mochizuki adds he does not really consider himself Funakoshi's student; corroborated by the Hiroo Mochizuki interview and Black Belt magazine

  The evidence establishes the claim: it is sufficient and consistent, and any conflicting evidence is resolved.

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  3 sources expand_more

  fact_check

  First-person account in the Karaté-Bushido interview: three months of Gichin Funakoshi's courses in Tokyo, though Mochizuki adds he does not really consider himself Funakoshi's student; corroborated by the Hiroo Mochizuki interview and Black Belt magazine

  visibilityFirst-hand

  “à Tokyo, j'ai suivi pendant 3 mois les cours de Gichin Funakoshi sensei, mais je ne me considère pas réellement comme son élève.”

  — Bénoliel, P.. (1987). Minoru Mochizuki - entretien (Karaté-Bushido no. 139, septembre 1987, pp. 28-35)info

  “Elève de Jigoro Kano, qui l'avait envoyé apprendre l'aïkido auprès de Morihei Ueshiba, Minoru Mochizuki avait aussi travaillé avec Gichin Funakoshi. [...] Mais il se trouvait un peu faible du point de vue des atémis, qu'il avait pourtant étudié avec Funakoshi”

  — (2016). Hiroo Mochizuki: Échapper au conditionnementlink history info

  visibilityFirst-hand

  “Minoru Mochizuki holds the distinction of being the only living man to have studied with aikido founder Morihei Uyeshiba, judo founder Jigoro Kano, and "the father of Japanese karate," Gichin Funakoshi.”

  — A Man of Many Budo (interview with Minoru Mochizuki), Black Belt, Aug 1989.link
• 
  Masatoshi Nakayama

  sports_martial_artsShotokan Confirmed

  Confirmed

  Multiple sources confirm Nakayama learned karate under Gichin Funakoshi, the founder of Shotokan, at Takushoku University

  The evidence establishes the claim: it is sufficient and consistent, and any conflicting evidence is resolved.

  location_onTakushoku University badge (1932–1937)

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  2 sources expand_more

  fact_check

  Multiple sources confirm Nakayama learned karate under Gichin Funakoshi, the founder of Shotokan, at Takushoku University

  “Nakayama entered Takushoku University in 1932 to study Chinese language, and began learning karate under Gichin Funakoshi and his son Yoshitaka (also known as Gigō).”

  — Wikipedia contributors. (2026). Masatoshi Nakayama - Wikipedia (EN). Wikipedia (English)link history info

  “Upon entering Takushoku University in 1932, Master Nakayama immediately joined the university's karate club, studying under Master Funakoshi Gichin and one of the master's sons, Funakoshi Yoshitaka.”

  — Japan Karate Association. Master Nakayama Masatoshi - Japan Karate Associationlink history info
• person
  Konishi Yasuhiro

  sports_martial_artsKarate Probable

  Probable

  Japanese Wikipedia states Konishi learned karate from Funakoshi Gichin, meeting him in June 1925

  The evidence favours the claim and nothing credible contradicts it, but it falls short of establishing it.

  location_onKeio University badge (1925)

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  2 sources expand_more

  fact_check

  Japanese Wikipedia states Konishi learned karate from Funakoshi Gichin, meeting him in June 1925

  “1925年（大正14年）6月、船越義珍と出会った事により、ようやく唐手を学ぶ事ができた。”

  — Japanese Wikipedia article on Konishi Yasuhiro link history

  “When he [Konishi] met Funakoshi Gichin in June 1925, he was finally able to learn Karate. However, since its contents was only Kata, together with Ōtsuka Hironori 大塚博紀 (1892–1982, founder of Wadō-ryū Karate-dō and Jūjutsu Kenpō) who was also a disciple of Funakoshi, Konishi began to devise Yakusoku Kumite 約束組手 and the like. Later Konishi studied Karate with Motobu Chōki and Mabuni Kenwa.”

  — Ryukyu Bugei website link
• 
  Kimura Masahiko

  sports_martial_artsKarate Probable

  Probable

  Kimura's autobiography mentions studying Shorinji-ryu (Shotokan) under Funakoshi Gichin for over 2 years

  The evidence favours the claim and nothing credible contradicts it, but it falls short of establishing it.

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  1 source expand_more

  fact_check

  Kimura's autobiography mentions studying Shorinji-ryu (Shotokan) under Funakoshi Gichin for over 2 years

  “Later on, I [ed. Kimura] got interested in karate, and learned Shorinji-ryu (Note: today’s Shotokan karate) under the guidance of Master Funakoshi for a little over 2 years.”

  — 'My Judo' by Masahiko Kimura, His Story & Vision in His Own Words Part 1 (BJJ EE)link
• 
  Hirokazu Kanazawa

  sports_martial_artsShotokan Confirmed

  Confirmed

  Well-documented across multiple sources that Kanazawa learned directly from Gichin Funakoshi, founder of Shotokan, and was one of the last living karateka to have done so

  The evidence establishes the claim: it is sufficient and consistent, and any conflicting evidence is resolved.

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  2 sources expand_more

  fact_check

  Well-documented across multiple sources that Kanazawa learned directly from Gichin Funakoshi, founder of Shotokan, and was one of the last living karateka to have done so

  “Kanazawa also learned from the founder of the Shotokan style, Gichin Funakoshi, and was one of the last living karateka (practitioners of karate) to have done so.”

  — Wikipedia contributors. (2026). Hirokazu Kanazawa - Wikipedia (EN). Wikipedia (English)link history info

  “A direct student of Gichin Funakoshi, the founder of Shotokan karate”

  — Shotokan Karate-Do International Federation. Hirokazu Kanazawa Soke - Shotokan Karate-Do International Federation link history info
• 
  Hidetaka Nishiyama

  sports_martial_artsShotokan Probable

  Probable

  Nishiyama trained under Gichin Funakoshi at the Shotokan honbu dojo from 1943; extensively documented

  The evidence favours the claim and nothing credible contradicts it, but it falls short of establishing it.

  (1943–1950)

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  1 source expand_more

  fact_check

  Nishiyama trained under Gichin Funakoshi at the Shotokan honbu dojo from 1943; extensively documented

  “began training in Shotokan karate at the art's honbu dojo (headquarters training hall) under its founder, Gichin Funakoshi.”

  — Hidetaka Nishiyama (Wikipedia EN)link history info
• 
  Funakoshi Gigō

  sports_martial_artsKarate Probable

  Probable

  Son and student of Gichin Funakoshi, well-documented family relationship

  The evidence favours the claim and nothing credible contradicts it, but it falls short of establishing it.

  (1918)

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  1 source expand_more

  fact_check

  Son and student of Gichin Funakoshi, well-documented family relationship

  “He was sickly as a child and began the formal study of karate-do at the age of twelve as a means to improve his health.[4] In the early years, Gichin Funakoshi often took Gigo with him to his trainings with Yasutsune Itosu”

  — Gigō Funakoshi - Wikipedialink
• 
  Egami Shigeru

  sports_martial_artsKarate Confirmed

  Confirmed

  The Shotokai Encyclopedia and English Wikipedia, two independent sources, both directly state Egami was Funakoshi's student

  The evidence establishes the claim: it is sufficient and consistent, and any conflicting evidence is resolved.

  location_onWaseda University badge (1930)

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  2 sources expand_more

  fact_check

  The Shotokai Encyclopedia and English Wikipedia, two independent sources, both directly state Egami was Funakoshi's student

  “Egami met Master Funakoshi when he was 18 years old, the moment he began studying at the famous Waseda University, there he helped to establish its Karate Do Club. [...] He followed his Master together with Yoshitaka Funakoshi and Takeshi Shimoda all around Japan staging exhibitions, trying to expand the knowledge of Karate-do as a Japanese martial art.”

  — Master Shigeru Egami, O-sensei’s successor (1912-1981) (Shotokai Encyclopedia)link

  “He was a student of Gichin Funakoshi, who is widely recognized as the founder of modern karate.”

  — Shigeru Egami - Wikipedialink history

Honours (1)

• receipt_longRenshi (錬士) in karate-jutsu, Dai Nippon Butoku Kai Renshi Probable

  Probable

  The Japanese Wikipedia article cites the Butoku Kai's own register of hanshi, kyoshi and renshi holders (1941) at page 388, and names his son Gikō as co-recipient.

  The evidence favours the claim and nothing credible contradicts it, but it falls short of establishing it.

  Title (1939-07 (昭和14年7月))

  granted by Greater Japan Martial Virtue Society

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  1 source expand_more

  fact_check

  The Japanese Wikipedia article cites the Butoku Kai's own register of hanshi, kyoshi and renshi holders (1941) at page 388, and names his son Gikō as co-recipient.

  “昭和14年（1939年）7月、大日本武徳會より船越義珍と三男の船越義豪が空手術錬士の称号を受有した”

  — 船越義珍 - Wikipedia (JA). Wikipedia (Japanese) link history info

Sources

Identifiers