[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Welcome encyclopedia friends,
This coming September 15th we will be celebrating our fourth anniversary online, to celebrate this event I am planning and implementing various changes in the material and changes in the looks of the site (you’ve got to admit that a total site turnover is impossible…! at least for one person… which is the case with me).
Four continuous years online without interruption (except the occasional server crash…) is not a record anyone can brag about on the Web. As you all know the WWW is notoriously volatile, a site can be here one day and the next gone without a trace, except those backed up by lots of money or lots of enthusiasm.
Now, another thing is to be online four years and another is to be constantly updated for four years, those that are recurrent visitors know what I am talking about.
Those that are new may not notice at first, but once they grasp the dimension of the site, they will understand that this material did not appear from one day to another, it was a gradual and constant growth that has brought it to its present state.
This constant growth has resulted in a very attractive website, I admit this because I wish I were able to find an equivalent place on the web with material on Karate like we have built… I still haven’t. Many excellent sites exist this is a fact, but in Karate they are a minority, Aikido I feel has much more to offer in proportion… (well, that is my opinion).
Many may know or have noticed, the Shotokai Encyclopedia consists of two sites, very much alike, one at www.shotokai.com and www.shotokai.cl. The latter represents Shotokai Karate-do from the Universidad de Concepción and includes local information, the former represents an International version of the site on a server in Texas. The Chilean version is, due to university infrastructure quite slower and at times is inaccessible, if this is the case visit the www.shotokai.com version.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the support my teacher, Humberto Heyden sensei, has given me and has right from the beginning been a silent source and mentor for the site. Since the first plans, he has taken a discrete position on the periphery, but this site would not exist in its present form without his constant support and inspiration.
Some comment our visitors
have sent us:
“Shotokai is the Shotokan as it should be, a lethal martial art as well as a true study of the Warrior Spirit. It is undiluted by the modern search for shiny plastic statues. There is true Zen in accomplishing the 1000th front kick and pushing yourself for just one more, thus conquering your own weakness.” Ireland
“[You]…are the holders of one of the most in-depth archives of information available to the martial artist. I have been studying Shotokan karate for 26 years and have found that the sporting aspect of this art is not necessarily the most important.” USA
“I am very grateful to the Universidad of Concepcion for the excellent quality of his karaté web pages. From Italy, I surfed a large part of the Internet and yours is among the very best karaté sites.” Italy
“Many thanks for your superb web site. As a student of Shotokai karate (presently 1st Dan) I have found it a valuable resource. Its presentational quality is as professional as anything I have seen anywhere on the web, but beyond that, it really captures the true spirit of karate-do.” England
“I took up karate about a year ago, and your site has been invaluable in helping me get to grips with its philosophy, history, and context.” England
“Your site has encouraged and expanded many thoughts on Karate which for many years were restricted to a select view by the mere fact that there was little or no promotion of the non-sport aspect.” Canada
“I have seen your site and read some of the information that is posted there and I must say that it is one of the finest sites on the martial arts that I have ever seen!!”
“Thank you very much for your website; it is a scholar’s delight.” Hong Kong
And so on, thank you all very much for your continuing support. It is your kind and sincere words that make it completely clear that all the work, hours and endless hours of work, on this site, has been appreciated. It is clear that we have been able to provide quality material, historical content, technical articles, and generate an information resource appreciated by martial artists worldwide and clearly established that true Karate is not devoid of a strong philosophical and ethical-moral foundation.
Happy and proud of having survived 4 years and hoping to continue many more years,
Your friend in Karate,
Shotokai Web Administrator
Guadalajara September 15th 1999[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]