Maryland Ki Society, 15405 Narcissus Way, Rockville, MD 20853, US

HistoryShotokan and its History, its most basic form, karate is an art or systematize method of physical and mental activity which developed over several thousand years. As a way of enhancing mediatio techniques, monks at Shaolin monasteries in China were taught vajramuchti, a martial art originating in India. These teaching became the basis for the Chinese form, or kenpo.Through trade, and conquests, the varied styles of Chinese martial found their way to the Ryukyu Islands, the largest of which is Okinawa. The original Okinawan fighting system, te (hand), developed mostly from a ban of all weapons when Okinawa was occupied by the Shimazu in 1609. In this way the two ancestors of modern karate-do, Okinawa-te and (Chinese hand) were formed.Ginchin Funakoshi, generally considered the father of modern karate,introduced karate to Japan by way of exhibitions in 1917 in Kyoto and again in 1922 at the Ministry of Education in Tokyo.SpecialtiesThe International Shotokan Karate Association of Northern Virginia (ISKA), The only full-time Shtotokan Karate School in Northern Virginia offers training in traditional Japanese karate. Classes are available for all levels from beginner to advanced, for adults, children and families. Our Dojo welcomes those with no prior martial art experience and those with any past experience in any style.