Kenshukai means training school

Shotokan is a school of karate reflecting the style of the first students of master Gichin Funakoshi. Although Funakoshi created his own style, he never gave it a name, referring to it simply as "karate".

"Shoto" means pine waves and "kan" means house, so Shotokan literally translates as "the house of pine waves". It is the name Funakoshi gave to the hall where he trained his students.

Rather than focusing on combat, Funakoshi put more emphasis on health, breathing, releasing energy, and outstanding mind and body control.

Shotokan techniques in kihon (basics) and kata (pre-arranged sequences of moves) are characterised by powerful linear movements and by deep, long stances which provide stability and help strengthen the legs.

Shotokan can be regarded as a "hard" and "external" martial art.

"Go" means hardness or external force, "ju" means softness or internal force.

Goju-Ryu combines hard striking attacks like kicks and punches with softer circular techniques for blocking and controlling the opponent. Its speciality over other karate styles is in-fighting, or close-quarter combat. There is also a major emphasis on breathing correctly.