Shotokan karate was developed by Gichin Funakoshi, an Okinawan master, who introduced karate to Mainland Japan in 1922. Funakoshi's students continued to teach after his death in 1957, making Shotokan one of the most widely practiced styles of karate around the world. It is considered a traditional art, practiced according to Budo principles. In particular attention is given to proper posture, balance, distance(mai-ai), footwork and mental awareness to maximize power, speed, reaction time and agility.