Introduction to Karate

What is Karate?

Definition and History

Karate also known as “Te” or the “Way of the empty hand” is a martial art developed in Okinawa, Japan. The term Karate is made of two Japanese-words; ‘Kara’ which means empty and ‘Te’ which means hand hence the martial art is an empty hand combat. He also pays much attention to the use of physical force including punches, kicks, knee and elbow impacts. Also, karate contains different kinds of the striking techniques which are open palm-heel strike, knife-hands, spear-hands and so on.

Karate’s history
Karate is believed to be originated in Okinawa, which is an island between Japan and China. Okinawa has been an exchange center between these two countries, which paved way to the creation of a new type of martial art that has a blend of the two countries. Chinese influences are sharply distinct as many of the early Okinawan travelers to China were absorbed into martial arts that influenced the basis of karate.

Karate became reduced as an individual type of martial arts through the early part of the 20th century when Gichin Funakoshi who is widely regarded to be the founder of modern Karate brought the art to mainland Japan. This is especially true since Funakoshi took it upon himself the task of spreading and popularizing Karate in addition to working on its codification. He also set up the Japan Karate Association (JKA) in 1949 which helped in the development of different schools and styles of karate which we see today.

 Karate vs Other Martial Arts

Like most martial arts, karate has some aspects in common with the other, and yet it also has peculiarities that define it. For example, while judo or Brazilian Jiu Jitsu deals with grappling and ground fighting experience respectively, karate deals mostly with striker. Defining karate as a form of combat that avoids holds and submission in favor of strikes explains the art’s different style.

 The Origins of Karate

 Early History in Okinawa

The history of karate can be dated back to Okinawa kingdom which was dominated the location from the 15th and 19th century. This means that during this period, Okinawa underwent the culture of such practicing with influences from Chinese Martial Arts, which integrated with the local practices. Their combination resulted in what would later on be known as karate.

An important teacher of Okinawan martial arts during the early period was Sakugawa Kanga who studied Chinese martial arts when he was in China. However, upon his return to Okinawa, he adapted the Chinese ones together with those native to Okinawan island-drubbing the foundation for modern karate. One of his students, Matsumura Sokon, improved and generalized these techniques and thereby became a master martial artist.

Okinawan martial arts were also further developed by other masters who joined the art’s lineage, which brought its own strategies and style. The various black belts styles, including Shuri-te, Naha-te, and Tomari-te were just a representation of the growing variety and different interpretations that people of Okinawa had regarding the martial art otherwise known as karate.