Legendary Grandmaster Gichin Funakoshi is generally viewed as the "Father" of modern Karate because ofhis endeavors to acquaintterritory of Japan with the Okinawan Karate, from where it spread to the rest ofthe world. He was born on November 10, 1868, in Yamakawa, Shuri (Okinawa Prefecture). Being borninto a familythat had run into some bad luck implied that he spent his youth withhis maternal grandparents. Hestarted as a weakling, wiped out and inunexpected frailty, whose guardians carried him to Master Itosu for hiskaratepreparation. His doctor, Tokashiki recommended certain herbs that would rejuvenate him. Soon Funakoshigot healthier. Master Gichin took coaching from Yasutsune Itosu in the initial stage of learning Karate.Funakoshi prepared with Azato stealthily since the Okinawans had their weapons prohibited and had topractice secretly. Master Funakoshi used to live in a small room with his students at Suidobata, Tokyo. He used toclean the dormitory during the day when the students were in their classes and take Karate classes atnight. Hemade companion at school with the oldest child of the then popular karate ace, Master Anko Azato andthrough this kinship, he was acquainted with Karate. His style of Karate started from him having preparedunder two renowned Okinawan Karate experts, Master Anko Azato (1827-1906) and Master Anko Itosu(1831–1915). This art charted an impressive course of his life. He had become well-known in Ryukyustyle hand-to-hand fighting soon. Asthroughout the years he sought after his preparation and ceaselesslybuilt up his wonderful aptitudes, Master Funakoshi accepted a job as an associate teacher at the primaryschool at the age of 20, in 1888. He soon became Chairman of the Okinawa Martial Arts Society.