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Karate or karate-dō is a martial art of Okinawan origin. Recent research
indicates that it developed from a synthesis of indigenous Ryukyuan fighting
methods and southern Chinese martial arts. Karate originally meant Tang
hand, i.e. Chinese hand, which later took on the meaning 'empty hand' in
Japanese. It is known primarily as a striking art, featuring punching, kicking,
knee/elbow strikes and open handed techniques. However, grappling, joint
manipulations, locks, restrains, throws and vital point striking are inherent to
the art.

In general, modern karate training is divided into three major areas: basics
(“kihon” in Japanese), forms ("kata" ? in Japanese), and sparring ("kumite"
?? in Japanese).

Basic motion (Kihon) (??) is the study of the fundamental techniques
(punching mechanics, footwork, stances) of the art. This is the 'public face' of
the art that most people recognize, ie, the familiar basics of stepping and
punching.

Kata means 'form' or 'pattern;' however, they are not simply aerobic routines,
or dances of some sort. They are patterns of movements and techniques
that demonstrate physical/combatative principles related to fighting. Kata
may be thought of as a collection of fixed sequences of movement that
address various types of attack. It is important to remember that they were
developed before literacy was commonplace in Okinawa/China, so physical
routines were the logical method for preserving a body of this type of
information. The moves themselves may have multiple interpretations as
self-defense techniques- there is no 'standard right or wrong' way to interpret
them, but interpretations may have more or less utility for actual fighting. For
example, the same passage of a kata may be interpreted as
block/punch/block, or joint strike-lock/punch/throw.

Sparring may be constrained by many rules or it may be free sparring, and in
modernity is practiced both as sport and for self-defense training. Sport
sparring tends to be one hit 'tag' type contact for points. Depending on style
or teacher, practical aikido and judo-type takedowns and grappling may be
involved alongside the punchuing and kicking.

Many styles of karate also include specialized conditioning equipment,
known in Japanese collectively as 'hojo undo.' Some of the more common
devices are the makiwara, the chi-ishi (a kind of off center free weight), and
nigiri game (large jars used for grip strength). Some styles also include
instruction in kobudo, or traditional Okinawan weaponry. The two arts are not
strictly linked, but they have followed a synergistic course of development. It
is important to note that kobudo weapons were neaver used to drive off
Samurai by the Okinawan peasantry (Mark Bishop, "Okinawan Karate")
Meaning of the word karate

Meaning of the word karate

The word "karate" initially comes from the Okinawan pronunciation of the
Chinese characters "kara", referring to China itself from the Chinese Tang
dynasty, and "te" meaning hand: “karate”

The meaning "Chinese hand" or "Tang hand", “Chinese fist” or "Chinese
techniques," reflected the documented Chinese influence on some
branches of the art. The word Karate also means "Open Hand" so that is
why karate is often called art of the open hand. In 1933, following Japan's
invasion of eastern China Gichin Funakoshi (known as the father of modern
karate) began using a homonym of the "kara" character, which denoted
"emptiness" rather than "Chinese." This followed the so-called Meeting of
the Masters in October of 1936, which included Chojun Miyagi, Chomo
Hanashiro, Kentsu Yabu, Chotoku Kyan, Genwa Nakasone, Choshin
Chibana, Choryo Maeshiro and Shinpan Shiroma (Gusukuma). After this
1933-1936 period, the word pronounced "karate" is almost universally
translated as "empty hand" rather than "Chinese hand." However, this
change most probably originated several yeasr earlier in Okinawa, since
Hanashiro Chomo uses the "empty hand" writing form already in his 1905
publication "Karate Shoshu Hen". “karate”

The term "empty hand" carries with it Japanese Zen connotations that go
beyond the obvious inference that the practitioner carries no weapon. The
Zen process of emptying the heart and mind of earthly desire and
vanityoneself through perfection of one's art. Some readings of this new
ideogram refer to rendering oneself empty or egoless, leading to further
development of spiritual insight. Funakoshi stated that the actual meaning of
his writings are as follows: "As a mirror's polished surface reflects whatever
stands before it and a quiet valley carries even small sounds, so must the
student of Karate-Dō render of their mind empty of selfishness and
wickedness in an effort to react appropriately toward anything they might
encounter."

Such philosophies have been inspirational to many generations of karate
students; yet historically it's worth noting that in the climate of Japan in the
1930s, removing an explicit reference to China in the art's name may well
have been a politically expedient move. "karate-dō"

The "do" suffix is used for various martial arts that survived Japan's turbulent
transition from feudal culture to 'modernity,' and implies that they are not just
techniques for fighting, but have spiritual elements when pursued as
disciplines. In this circumstance it is usually translated as "the way of" (cf.
Aikido, Judo and Kendo). Thus, "karate-do" is "the way of the empty hand".

Etymology

As the above history discussion should make clear, this is can be a difficult
and sometimes inflammatory question, complicated by attitudes toward
philosophy and competition, by questions of lineage and primacy, and
perhaps above all by questions of nationalism and identity. The term Karate
has become somewhat generic in the West, where one even sees signs for
"Filipino Karate" and the like because of the name recognition of "Karate".
There are at least three ways to look at the question:

* Etymologically, Karate is currently written as ??, "empty hand".
* Etymologically, Karate was originally written as ??, "Chinese hand" or
"Tang fist", and is thus any art which can trace its descent from the
Okinawan Karate styles.
* Karate is any striking art which calls itself Karate.

History

Karate has been and continues to be a multi-cultural development,
absorbing the contributions of many gifted practitioners over time and
crossing many borders. Compiling a reasonably accurate history of Karate
is challenging.

Contrary to popular belief and established myths, the development of Karate
did not move from India, to China to Okinawa via a wandering monk named
Boddhidharma. Although Boddhiddharma is a historically verifiable person
who brought Cha'an Buddhism to China, the development of the Asian
fighting arts had nothing to do with him. The association of Boddhidharma
and karate has more to do with pulp fiction novels and movies than real life
(Guo, Kennedy: "Chinese Martial Arts Manuals: A Historical Survey").

Karate's Origins in Okinawa

Japan annexed the nominally independent Ryukyu island group in 1874 after
centuries of strong Japanese influence over the kingdom's affairs. The
relationship between Okinawa and Japan is complicated. For purposes of
discussing Karate, it is convenient to speak of Okinawa and Japan as
separate entities. The question of whether Karate is Japanese or Okinawan
is somewhat akin to asking whether the luau or the hula dance are
American traditions or Hawaiian ones. They developed in Hawaii prior to
when Hawaii became one of the United States, and so are usually
described as Hawaiian, not American. The case is similar for Karate, which
is originally of Okinawan origin.

Karate is a mixture of indigenous Okinawan fighting arts and empty-handed
Chinese fighting arts, the latter having been brought to Okinawa by political
envoys, merchants, and sailors to and from Fujian Province. For the most
part there were no particular styles of "te", but rather a network of
practitioners with their own individual methods and eclectic traditions. Early
styles of karate are often generalized as Shuri-te, Naha-te and Tomari-te,
named after the three cities in which they emerged, although these are not
concrete distinctions. Each area(and the teachers who lived there) had
particular kata, techniques, and principles that distinguished their local
version of te from the others.

Members of the Okinawan upper classes were sent to China regularly to
learn and study a variety of disciplines, political and practical. This exchange
was not too different from the practice of exchange students today.
Estimates of the Chinese influence in modern Karate vary considerably,
from 40% Chinese/40% Okinawan/20% other to 80% Chinese/20%
Okinawan. Despite these conjectures, there are no clean divisions among
'styles.' Karate was obviously practiced by the Okinawa royalty and their
retainers for centuries before, and alongside, later Chinese influences. To
this day Karate from some areas still bears a striking resemblance to Fujian
martial arts such as Fujian White Crane, Five Ancestors, and Goroquan
(Hard Soft Fist, pronounced "Gōjūken" in Japanese). Some karate looks
distincly Okinawan.

In 1722, "Tode" Sakugawa, who had studied pugilism and staff (bo) fighting
in China, started teaching a fighting art in the city of Shuri that he called
"Karate-no-sakugawa." This was the first known recorded reference to the
art of Karate (唐手) in a modern form. The word "Kara" (唐) referred to China
itself, and "Te" (手) meant hand, in the sense of a style of fighting; so Karate
meant "the Chinese techniques" or "Tang Hand".

Around the 1820's, Sokon Matsumura taught a synthesis of te (Shuri-te and
Tomari-te) and Shaolin (Chinese 少林) styles. It would become the style
Shorin-Ryu ("Little Forest"). Matsumura taught his karate to Anko Itosu,
among others.

Itosu adapted two forms he learned from Matsumara, namely kusanku and
chiang nan, to create the Pinan forms ("Heian" in Japanese) as simplified
kata for beginning students. In 1901 he was instrumental in getting karate
introduced into Okinawa's public schools. These forms were taught to
children at the elementary-school level. Itosu is also credited with taking the
large Naihanchi form ("Tekki" in Japan) and breaking it into the three well-
known modern forms Naihanchi Shodan, Naihanchi Nidan and Naihanchi
Sandan.

Itosu's influence in Karate is very broad. The forms he created for beginners
are common across nearly all forms of Karate. His students included some
of the most well-known Karate practitioners, including Gichin Funakoshi,
Kenwa Mabuni, and Motobu Choki. He is sometimes known as the
"Grandfather of Modern Karate."

Characteristics

Okinawan Karate shows the distinctive emphasis on forms training that
characterizes Karate as a whole; also the method of twisting the hips to
generate power and tensing the body at the moment of impact to focus
power called kime. The more experienced the Karateka, the shorter the
kime, and the kime is done as much with ki (chi) as very short physical
contraction of the muscles when done properly. The stances in Okinawan
styles are often higher than seen in Japanese styles of Karate, and
somewhat looser. The Okinawan practitioner will sometimes rise while
stepping, and then settle into stance; the knees retain some flex or bounce
when in stance.

The History of Karate in Japan

Funakoshi is generally credited with having introduced and popularized
karate on the main islands of Japan. He was a student of Anko Itosu and
Yasutsune Azato, who had worked to introduce karate to the Okinawa
Prefectural School System in 1902. He brought Itosu's Pinan kata to Japan
(as did other of Itosu's students, such as Mabuni Kenwa, founder of shito-ryu
karate). Funakoshi worked specifically to introduce modernizations into
karate and to spread it to Japan. However, there were many other Okinawan
karate men living and teaching in Japan during this time period. Funakoshi's
peers included such notable figures as Kenwa Mabuni, Miyagi Chojun,
Choshin Chibana, Motobu Choki, Kyan Chotoku, Kentsu Yabu, Hironori
Ohtsuka and several others.

This was an especially turbulent period in history for that area of the world,
including Japan's official annexation of the Okinawan island group in 1874,
the First Sino-Japanese War (1894-1895), the Russo-Japanese War (1904-
1905), and the rise of Japanese expansionism (1905-1945). The Karate
styles within Japan have fairly clean lineages; but any assessment of how
Karate crossed borders in this period is complicated by issues of
nationalism, the historic Japanese racism faced by non-Japanese Asians,
and the typical resentment of occupied peoples toward a conqueror. Many
recognizeable offshoots of Karate, particularly in Korea, deny the name
because of nationalistic ideals and the word's association with Japan;
likewise, some obvious offshoots of Karate are disowned by Japanese
practitioners, perhaps because of a Japanese preoccupation with primacy
or purity.

Japan was occupying China at the time, and Funakoshi knew that the art of
Tang/China hand would not be accepted; thus the change to 'way of the
empty hand.' The "do" suffix implies that karatedo is a path to self
knowledge, not just a study of the technical aspects of fighting. Like most
martial arts practiced in Japan, karate made its transition from -jutsu to -do
around the beginning of the 20th century. The "do" in "karate-do" sets it apart
from karate "jutsu", much as aikido is distinguished from aikijutsu, judo from
jujutsu and so on. The name change also served to familiarize a foreign
tradition during a time of fervent Japanese nationalism.

As mentioned, Funakoshi changed the names of many kata and the
meaning of the art itself (at least on mainland Japan). He most likely did this
to get karate accepted by the Japanese budo organisation Dai Nippon
Butokukai. Funakoshi also gave Japanese names to many of the kata. The
five Itosu Pinan forms became known as Heian; the three Naihanchi forms
became known as Tekki; Seisan as Hangetsu; Chinto as Gankaku; Wanshu
as Empi; etc. These were mostly just political changes, rather than changes
to the content of the forms although Funakoshi did institute changes to the
content. The name changes may have been designed to make the art sound
more Japanese (less "foreign"). Funakoshi had trained in two of the popular
branches of Okinawan karate of the time, Shorin-ryu and Shorei-ryu. In
Japan he was influenced by kendo, incorporating some ideas about
distancing and timing into his style. He always referred to what he taught as
simply "karate"; however, in 1936 he built the Shotokan dojo in Tokyo, and
the school or style he left behind is usually called Shotokan.

The modernization and systemization of karate in Japan also included the
adoption of the ubiquitous white uniform which consisted of the kimono and
the dogi or keikogi - mostly called just gi (pronounced 'gey' like 'key') - and
colored belt ranks. Both of these innovations were originated and
popularized by Jigoro Kano, the founder of Judo, one of the men Funakoshi
consulted in his efforts to 'modernize' karate. Ranking systems and their
values differ greatly from organization to organization, which sometimes
leads to confusion when trying to determine a relative standard for karate
training and credibility. It is not uncommon to see Westerners claiming
absurdly inflated ranks (Grand Master, Great Grand Master, Soke, etc...)
Photos of early Okinawan practitioners show students in the street clothes of
the day, or sometimes in undergarments. A student trained under a teacher
for years, without any sort of tangible advancement other than development
of skill.

As it was adopted into modern Japanese culture, karate was imbued with
some elements of the native gendai budo traditions. Classes often begin
and end with brief periods of sitting in seiza and practising mokuso
(meditation). Also, the repetition of precise, dynamic movements, coupled
with synchronized breathing as in forms (kata), is considered by some to be
consistent with Zen meditation in its aims to maximize a student's
composure, awareness, and physical presence (speed and power), while
under stress. It is often referred to as a form of "moving Zen." Karate
teachers vary widely in the way they acknowledge - if at all - the Zen influence
in karate-do. However, Zen does offer an avenue for self reflection, which is
useful for keeping learners balanced as they learn an art which is, at its
core, concerned with the study of violence.

Karate was introduced into Japanese high schools before World War II, as it
had been to Okinawan schools at the beginning of the century. It was seen
as an asset for building strong, able young men who would soon be serving
their country. Many universities initiated karate club programs, which bred a
notoriously violent and competitive setting. In such clubs, seniors brutalized
the junior students, in some cases inflicted vicious beatings as a final 'rite'
for those who chose to leave. Many of the distinguishing traits of "traditional"
karate thought by Westerners to be "traditional" in fact originate from these
clubs, and have little or no relationship to the teachings of those who
initiated the martial arts. The much misused catch-phrase of "Osu!" used in
many dojos came directly from the club at Takushoku University as a product
of Japanese military and youth culture akin to "Hoo rah!" The word has no
meaning or significance within karate itself, historical or contemporary, but in
Western dojo it has been taken out of context to indicate a respectful
greeting or all purpose reply.

Styles

Within karate there are presently a multitude of different styles or schools.
These include: Wado-ryu ("way of harmony"),Wado-kai ("school of peace"),
Shobayashi, Koei-Kan, Kobayashi-ryu, Washinkai ("Way of Harmony of heart,
mind, body and truth) Matsubayashi-ryu, Matsumura Seito, Matsumura
Motobu, Chito-ryu, Shindo Jinen Ryu, Shorinjiryu, Shorei-ryu, Shotokan,
Shotokai, Shukokai ("Way for all"), Goju-ryu ("hard-soft way"), Kyokushin
("ultimate truth"), Ashihara, named after its founder, and Kansuiryu. Other
mainstream styles include Seido, Uechi Ryu, Shito-ryu, Shudokan, Bushido
Goju-Ryu, Genseiryu and Isshin-ryu. Some organizations offer hybrids of
karate styles such as the JIKC.

Styles like Shotokan, Goju-ryu, Wado-ryu, Shito-ryu, Kushin-ryu, and Shindo
Jinen Ryu are labelled as 'traditional' because they were founded during the
early part of the 20th century.

Full contact karate includes Kyokushin-kaikan, which was founded by
Masutatsu Oyama, and other offshoots of Kyokushin such as Ashihara,
Shidokan, and Seido to name but a few; they are considered full-contact
because emphasis in matches is placed on the amount of damage done
rather than the quality of technique displayed (although this is also
important). Most full contact karate styles or organizations have developed
from Kyokushin karate. Kansuiryu is a full contact karate style which has
developed independently of Kyokushin, while having a number of similarities.

Karate Style-lines with Okinawa extraction (1372):

Influence of Karate in Korea Following Japanese Invasion

Japan annexed Korea in 1910, and occupied Korea until 1945. This was a
brutal period and the Japanese attempted a near-complete suppression of
Korean culture, including indigenous Korean martial arts like Taekyon and
Soo Bahk. During the occupation, some Koreans were able to travel to
Japan for their education and became exposed to Japanese martial arts.
The result was that Karate became an important influence in the
construction of Tae Kwon Do which was carried out by Korean martial artists
at the behest of the Korean government though its major techniques were
lagely different as they were centered around kickings like its ancient
version, Taekyon. Karate's infulence was mainly on the adminstrational
aspects like Dan degree system and black belt system. Similarly, Japanese
Aikijutsu was adopted by Korean martial artist to form Hapkido but its
techniques were a lot different as well.

The History of Karate in the United States

Traditional Karate entered the United States principally via those members
of the military who learned it in Okinawa or Japan and opened school upon
their return to the United States. For example, Robert Trias is often credited
with opening the first Western Karate school in the United States in Phoenix,
Arizona in 1942. Although there are many who claim to be the "founder" of
American karate, or to have made fantastic innovations/studied with esoteric
unknown Asian masters, these claims are impossible to verify, and have
little to do with actual karate.

Karate Internationally

Since the 1950s, Karate has exploded in popularity worldwide. By the end of
the 20th century, Karate was one of the most pervasive cultural exports from
the Far East to the Western world. It is impossible to enumerate the various
schools and styles worldwide, that are identifiably "karate". Nowadays one
can learn Karate (or one of its offshoots) almost anywhere. It is no longer
something practiced in just certain countries: Karate is universal. There
were two main avenues for the propagation of Karate to the rest of the world:

1. Allied servicemen, stationed in Japan and Okinawa and Korea after 1945,
who studied Karate and returned to their home countries.
2. The emigration of Karate masters from Japan or Okinawa or Korea to
other parts of the world, where they taught their art.

Another factor in the enduring appeal of Karate is film; kung fu movies have
propelled karate and other Asian martial arts into mass popularity. Some
well-known stars who were students of Karate or related styles are:

* Chuck Norris (Tang Soo Do)
* Cynthia Rothrock (Tang Soo Do)
* Jean Claude Van Damme (Shotokan)
* Jeff Speakman (American Kenpo)

An additional factor in the interest in Karate is the availability of international
competitions. Tae Kwon Do is an Olympic sport (as is judo), with federations
in each country to determine competition in the Olympics. This guarantees a
worldwide level of interest and intensity of training. There are other bodies
which sponsor competitions, including the U.S. Karate Association and
Professional Karate Association.

Japanese Karate does not have Olympic status, although it received more
than 50% of the votes to become an official Olympic Sport; 75% of the votes
are required. The World Karate Federation (WKF) is the recognized
International Sport Federation by International Olympic Committee (IOC) for
Karate. WKF represents the major uniform rules among all styles. Karate
activities in individual countries are organized through national karate
federations, recognized by each official national sports governing body and a
National Olympic Committee. Each continent has one federation for
continental karate activities. There are many organizations on national and
international Karate organization, regarding competitive activities and styles
activities. Only WKF, however, is recognized by the International Olympic
Committee, and only one in each country is linked with that official structure.
For that, official recognition of the country sports governing body is required.
Each country organizes their own karate championships following WKF
rules.

Japanese Karate competition can be in three disciplines: sparring (kumite),
forms (kata), or kobudo (weapons) kata; competitors may enter either as
individuals or as part of a team. Evaluation for kata is done by a panel of
judges; sparring is judged by a head referee and two to four side referees.

Some traditionalists are concerned that the emphasis on competition is
antithetical to the deeper values of the art. They feel that sport competition
promotes a highly compromised interpretation of the art, including point
fighting and demonstration of forms for entertainment value. Forms are often
set to music, and weapons that light up or glow are sometimes used. In
extreme cases, martial practicality is eschewed in favor of gymnastics.
Traditionalists feel this should not be regarded as emblematic of karate;
others feel the publicity is helpful.

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Karate