Although a relative newcomer as a distinct style, its ancestry can be charted through more than a thousand years of constant evolution.

Today, it is one of four main traditional styles of karate and is by far the most widely practised around the world. It is routinely taught as part of the curriculum in Japanese schools.

Training
Training is divided into three categories.

- Kihon - the 'basics': punches, blocks, kicks and stances.
- Kata - a sequence of moves from those learned in kihon.
- Kumite - sparring with an opponent (don't worry - in training, this is done in a very controlled and safe setting).

Philosophy
The core philosophy - or niju kun - of Shotokan karate was set out by Ginchin Funakoshi in a book, published in 1938, called The 20 Guiding Principles of Karate.