In the early 18th Century, karate evolved from the warrior traditions, or budo, of ancient Japan and Okinawa into a modern weaponless self-defense system. Capital City Karate carries on this centuries’ old legacy by following the principles and teachings of Master Hidetaka Nishiyama, 9th degree black belt and president of the American Amateur Karate Federation (AAKF) and chairman of the International Traditional Karate Federation (ITKF). Master Nishiyama is considered one of the true masters of traditional karate, In recognition of his contribution to Japanese culture, the Emperor of Japan has awarded Master Nishiyama the distinction of “Kun-yoto” – Fourth Order of Merit – with “Zuiho-sho” – The Order of the Sacred Treasure. Master Nishiyama is one of the very few Japanese living outside of Japan to ever receive this honor.  
Master Nishiyama is a direct student of the founder of shotokan karate, Master Gichin Funakoshi, (1870-1957), who stressed the development of character through training. Born in Okinawa, he studied karate from childhood. As a boy, he was trained by two famous masters of that time. Each trained him in a different Okinawan martial art. From Yasutsune Azato he learned Shuri-te. From Yasutsune Itosu, he learned Naha-te. It would be the melding of these two styles that would one day become Shotokan karate. Master Funakoshi organized the first public demonstration in Tokyo, Japan in 1922. This lead to the introduction of the ancient martial art to the rest of Japan and, thereafter, to the rest of the world. The principle aim is a positive approach to other people and society through courtesy, courage, integrity, humility, and self-control. Master Funakoshi modified the way karate was written by introducing the character for "kara" to convey the deeper meaning of "emptiness"-the mental, physical, as well as development of the spirit. “Te” tanslates as “hand”. The "empty hand" concept not only reflected the fact that its practitioners used no weapons, but also the process of perfecting one's self and one's art - by emptying the heart and mind of earthly desire and vanity. Funakoshi expressed this aim in the words "The ultimate aim of Karate lies not in victory or defeat, but in the perfection of the character of its participants."  
Throughout his life Funakoshi developed a philosophy he believed every karate-ka (karate student) should follow in order to develop one's character to its greatest potential. Through these rules one can see how dedicated Funakoshi was to the study of karate and his belief that one could obtain more than the skill of self-defense through hard, diligent training. Funakoshi believed that the philosophy of karate could be carried over into daily life where it was an essential element in developing one’s character. This philosophy he transformed in the following rules:
1. In Karate, start with a bow and finish with a bow. 2. There is no first attack in Karate. 3. Karate is a great assistance to justice. 4. Know yourself first and then you can know others. 5. Spirit first, technique second. 6. Be ready to release your mind. 7. Accidents come out of idleness. 8. Karate training is not only in the dojo. 9. It will take your entire life to learn Karate. 10. Confront your problems with karate spirit. 11. Karate is just like hot water. If you do not give heat constantly, it will again become cold water. 12. Do not think you have to win. Think, rather, that you do not have to lose. 13. Victory depends on your ability to tell vulnerable points from invulnerable ones. 14. The secret of combat lies in directing it. 15. Consider your hands and legs as you would sharp swords. 16. As soon as you leave home for work, think that millions of opponents are waiting for you. (It is your behavior which will invite or discourage trouble from them.) 17. Low stance for beginners; natural stance for advanced students. 18. Strive for the perfect kata, engaging in a real fight is something else. 19. Do not forget (a) light and heavy application of power, (b) expansion and contraction of the body, (c) slowness and speed of techniques. 20. Devise at all times
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