The Dojo Kun is recited at the conclusion of every karate training, allowing the students to reflect upon the guiding principles of karate-do.

Japanese translation:

HITOTSU! JINKAKU KANSEI NI TSUTOMURU KOTO!
HITOTSU! MAKOTO NO MICHI O MAMORU KOTO!
HITOTSU! DORYOKU NO SEICHIN O YASHINAU KOTO!
HITOTSU! REIGI O OMONZURU KOTO!
HITOTSU! KEKKI NO YU O IMASHIMURU KOTO!

English translation (traditional):

SEEK PERFECTION OF CHARACTER!
BE FAITHFUL!
ENDEAVOR!
RESPECT OTHERS!
REFRAIN FROM VIOLENT BEHAVIOR!

Shotokan Karate was founded by a man named Gichin Funakoshi, in 1922. The word Shotokan translates roughly to pine waves building. Shoto means 'pine waves' and is the pen name that Funakoshi used. Kan is the word for 'building'.

In 1936 when Funakoshi's students built his first dojo. They named it 'The Shotokan' in recognition of Funakoshi. It was to symbolize 'Shoto's House'

The Grand Master, Gichin Funakoshi was a frail and sickly child and the family physician recommended to his parents that he learn karate to improve his health and to strengthen him. The Master was barely five feet tall at
adulthood! Yet, because of his karate he had the presence of a man far
larger and more powerful. The master was the one who formalized Shotokan into a system. He was a teacher and his ability with developing curriculums helped him developed set techniques that had to be perfected (Kihons) and structured the fighting forms (Kata) of several styles of empty handed fighting (Chinese and Okinawian) into a system that is still taught the same way today. Shotokan has twenty seven such Katas that are taught to all practitioners of Shotokan. It trains the body, mind and spirit for the next phase which is Kumite (Fighting Techniques). In order to be a fully trained Shotokan Karate-Ka you must be adept with all three. Knowing only one or two you are only partly there. It takes years of patient and consistent practice to master and be very proficient in Karate, so the two words you will always hear from your Sensei will be patience and perseverance.