Outside of Japan master Mitsusuke Harada is known as the father of shotokai. He was one of the original students of Funakoshi Gichin founder of shotokan. Harada shihan studied under master Shigeru Egami another original student of Funakoshi Gichin who was developing his own style of karate. They were also influenced by Yochiro Inoue who taught aikido alongside O Sensei Morihei ueshiba before founding his own art Shinwa Taido. I attended mixed seminars of aikido judo kendo and shotokai karate in the late sixties early seventies and saw the "birth" of shotokai here in Britain. decades later I still have friends in shotokai and for a number of years was invited to give seminars in aikido tai sabaki and sword and stick mainly in Stirling. The main difference is in the "extending" of power through the attacks rather than the kime used in shotokan and the movement is more flowing. The physical workouts are VERY demanding and as llamageddan has said there is no competititon. regards koyo Harada shihan
