The Karate Kata of Master Gichin Funakoshi

I think Master Gichin Funakoshi knew many kata but selected certain forms, for foundations, based on the recommendations of his teacher Master Asato (in the 1914 article/s, “Okinawa no Bugi”, based on interviews conducted between Gichin Funakoshi and Anko Asato in the early 1900s), and from his own favourite karate kata. Some others were devised by himself and his son, Master Gigo Funakoshi, in addition to kata imported from elsewhere and included in the then enlarging list which I think, for Gichin Funakoshi, was a re-enlarging list. 

In the first place there were mainly, if not only, the primary kata of the lineage. These are in Rentan Goshin Karate Jutsu (1925), though a much longer list of additional kata is also included. But it doesn’t appear that any more than the main kata were being studied, unless we’re missing something.

Pin’an

Naihanchi

Kusanku

Passai

Sesan

Chinto

Wansu

Jitte

Jion

Despite a photo of Gichin Funakoshi using the bo (staff / stick) on his own, the only internal mention of bo kata by Gichin Funakoshi to students is to learn from his son, aside from other recommendations to learn from experts such as Master Kenwa Mabuni. (“My Years With Funakoshi”, Dr Yasukiyo Takeda, Shotokan Karate Magazine, Issue 41) The weapons practices of Gichin Funakoshi seem to have been more pair-work oriented.

There is a picture of Gichin Funakoshi grabbing the kicking leg of his opponent with both hands as in gojushiho and niseshi, and the description resembles the technical details of gojushiho. Whether or not this is indicative, though, I’m not certain, as with the bo photograph. Although the latter does look like the practice of kata, and it would make sense. However, what we can be sure of is that Gichin Funakoshi felt confident in his bojutsu (and, I would suggest, saijutsu, too) skills, according to Hironori Otsuka who stated that Gichin Funakoshi used to stand guard with his bo at the dorm when there was a threat of attack from Korea. 

The kata devised by both or each of the Funakoshi men were:

Taikyoku

Ten no Kata

Chi no Kata

Jin no Kata

Shoto (Okan / Wankuan)

Matsukaze no Kon

Meikyo (Funakoshi Rohai)

A kata added via Gigo Funakoshi and intended for his father was Kudaka Sochin. 

Therefore, with Rohai having been known as well by Gichin Funakoshi, and with teachers wanting to transmit their secrets only to Gichin Funakoshi (with his son equally trusted), why would Gichin Funakoshi not have been taught many more kata, methods and practices when he was young, before simply selecting a few to focus on when he started to teach when he was about 34?

Further support is found in a book by Kinichi Mashimo, “Ken: …”, a student under Gichin Funakoshi at Keio University. Here is a translation based on Google Translate:

“Under the supervision of Master Gichin Funakoshi, Suparinpei from Goju-ryu and Shito-ryu was adopted and altered in accordance with Master Funakoshi’s karate. The three-pronged stance, which is not found in Shotokan, was left as it was, but the four-pronged stance was changed to a horse-riding stance, and the tightening of the legs was particularly important.  It is suitable for breathing in accordance with gentle movements, remembering the tightening of the whole body, and mirroring in four directions to increase repetitions. The slowness is balanced by turning from a gentle movement and quickly changing. …” 

So, the kata Suparinpei, mentioned by Gichin Funakoshi in Rentan Goshin Karate Jutsu, was taught at Keio when Gichin Funakoshi was present, and he supervised altering it. I think this suggests he had learnt it, therefore was able to change it, though he didn’t teach it wholly himself. However, this may be reading too much into it. 
Does this apply to other kata? We know that Master Nakayama, for example, was also sent to learn from others such as Master Mabuni, as he described in an interview. When he returned to Funakoshi with the kata he had been instructed to study, and as they were changed afterwards, to what extent did Funakoshi make those edits?