Debunking Common Myths

This page is dedicated to debunking misinformation within the karate community. According to Brandolini's Law (the BS asymmetry principle), it takes significantly more effort to refute false information than to spread it. I hope this page helps those who encounter misleading claims. This page will be updated from time to time when new information becomes available.

There is a popular belief that Asato and Itosu are both shown in the corners of Funakoshi's 1921 demonstration photo. This is not accurate at all. The kanji at the top of the page reads "皇太子殿下御前演武記念", which means "In memory of the martial arts demonstration for his Imperial Highness, the Crown Prince". This photo was taken on 6 March 1921. In the left corner is Yamaguchi Sawanosuke (山口沢之助) Principal of the Prefectural Middle School, and the right is Wada Kihachiro (和田喜八郎), Principal of the Shihan Gakko. These two schools were some of the first that allowed karate training.