Shotokan is one of the four traditional karate styles, the others being Goju-ryu, Shito-ryu, and Wado-ryu.

Shotokan is a traditional Japanese "hard" style of karate, emphasizing the development and control of power, smoothness and balance in punching, kicking, blocking/parrying and body shifting.

Advanced training includes both force deflection and opponent control techniques (throws, joint locks...)

The emphasis is on gaining physical resilience, balance, flexibility, bodily awareness, coordination and power by learning the combative techniques of a traditional Japanese empty-hand martial art.