Funakoshi Gichin Memorial
Funakoshi Gichin (1868-1957) is well known for introducing Okinawan karate to
mainland Japan. He became head of the Japan Karate Association when it was
established in 1949.
This memorial was moved from it’s previous location on the roadside (near the Tori gate to
enter the Budokan) to inside the actual park. It’s not so hard to find- once inside the
park get to the athletic running track (the orange foamy one that is just over a Km long in total.) Walk around it until you reach the 800m mark, then the memorial on the left.
If i remember correctly it’s the section in between the Swimming Pool and the Tennis Courts.
Inscribed on the largest stone in the middle it says ‘karate ni sente nashi’ which translates to ‘there is no
first attack in karate’- one of the first principles students of traditional Okinawan Karate learn (but a principle which has many many different interpretations). For me, it is one that radiates the island attitude
of peace which is one of the many reasons i love this place
(I couldn’t do an exact pin but it’s very close to this).
〒900-0026 Okinawa-ken, Naha-shi, Ōnoyamachō, 沖縄県那覇市奥武山町５２
‘There is no first attack in Karate’
(Funakoshi Gichin 1868-1957)
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