- A fast hard style that balances training muscle memory with practical experience.
Founded by Gichin Funakoshi in the late 1930s, Shotokan helped in the proliferation of karate in general. Propagating through Japan initially through karate clubs at universities, Shotokan received more global recognition through the 1950s and 60s. Shotokan dojos can be found in almost any major city where students from other countries are welcome.
Shotokan incorporates strikes with hands and elbows, feet and knees, focusing on each of these as a weapon in the martial artist’s arsenal. Despite this, or perhaps because of this, Shotokan teaches restraint and that karate is a means for self defense. At the same time, the style has a reputation for powerful blocks that Takayuki Kubota (founder of Gosoku-Ryu Karate) described as designed to break the arm or leg of the opponent. That is why it is called self-defense.
Author’s Note: There may be other cultural factors around Shotokan’s focus on powerful defense, considering it’s proliferation came after World War II, during the US occupation and demilitarization of Japan. Martial arts such as kendo and judo were considered too militaristic by the Supreme Commander Allied Powers (SCAP) and were to be removed from schools physical education curriculum.
Associated Weapons: Brass Knucks (Tekko), Club (Jo and Tonfa), Kama, Nunchucks, Sai, Staff (Bo)
Extremely prevalent Shotokan is one of the dominant styles of karate found around the world. The deep stances, high kicks, powerful blocks and lunges help to make Shotokan one of the most iconic styles of martial arts. However, while katas require what may be considered exaggerated movements, sparing relaxes this with more natural stances, acknowledging the more practical applications of karate.
Author’s Note: All builds presented in this series should not be taken as the only way to interpret a given style. Players and GMs are encouraged to treat these as a framework to build their own character’s style.
Fighting Style: Shotokan Karate
- Parent Attribute: Strength or Wisdom
- Primary Role: Defense or Offense
- First Secondary Role: Defense or Offense
Common Specialties:
- Active Defense (or Counter Strike Combos)
- Heavy Blow
- Stagger
- Trip
Common Combos:
- Counter Disable: Active Defense – Stagger
- Counter Disable Finish: Active Defense – Stagger – Heavy Blow
- Counter Vital Strike: Active Defense – Heavy Blow
- Counter Takedown Finish: Active Defense – Trip – Heavy Blow
Style Note: Depending on the feel of your campaign Counter Disable and Counter Vital Strike may represent the power of a perfectly executed Shotokan block.
Key Talents:
- Discipline
- Etiquette
- Fitness
- Intuition
- Perception
- Provoke
- Outlast
- Resisting Injuries
Additional Boons
- Critical Skill: Provoke MA
- Surprising MA
- Languages: Japanese and any other two TY
- Discipline Supports Heavy Blow MA
- Perception Supports Stagger MA
Super Style Shotokan Karate
With our super style Shotokan we wanted to capture the power of the martial art. The engagement of the body, and drawing strength from the core leads us to more spiritual concepts and the idea of Ki and the energies that animate all life. While our Shotokan will not look much like that of a certain video game series I lost too many quarters to through my teen years, we hope you enjoy it. For those following all of our martial arts builds, you may notice that Shotokan and Kobayashi Shorin Ryu Karate share more than a few similar design elements. This is not by accident. Gichin Funakoshi studied Shorin Ryu along with another form of Karate before developing Shotokan.
Example (Classic Power Level)
Shotokan Karate 12
- Strength/Defense
Absorption, Painful –
Limited (Painful, and Devastating Require Absorption)
Armor MA
Painful (Boost Pain) MA2
Secondary Role: Offense (Full Role) MA2
Devastating MA
(S) Counter Disable 4
(S) Counter Disable Finish 4
(S) Heavy Blow 10
(S) Stagger 7
The martial artist learns to harden their body, shrugging off harm. However, the full power of Shotokan is unlocked from the flow of energy between the martial artist and their foe. The energies of their foe fueling their will, which can be channeled back out to defeat any that stand before them.
Cost 1 Power + 12 Selections + 11 AP
Boons
Critical Skill: Provoke MA
Combo: Counter Disable TY
Combo: Counter Disable Finish TY
Languages: Japanese and any other two TY
Discipline Supports Heavy Blow MA
Perception Supports Stagger MA
Cost 2 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 2 + 2 = 9 AP
Use In Conflict
Shotokan operates on two levels. Weaker foes can be defeated through skill and the added protection of the martial art’s body hardening exercises. Those more powerful foes capable of inflicting real harm in essence awaken the hero’s fighting spirit. Taunt your foes to feel them out. When they attack open with a Counter Disable if you are unsure of their abilities. Otherwise Counter Disable Finish can end a lot of fights before they really begin. Don’t be afraid to go on the offence. Specialties in Heavy Blow, and Stagger allow you to take the fight to your foes when they won’t come to you.
