What is karate ?

Origins of karate

Unarmed combat reaches back to before recorded history but ancient origins of the art are obscure, often couched in folklore of a variety of cultures of the world. Various forms of unarmed combat were practiced in India and China, in Formosa and Okinawa, an island south of Japan. On Okinawa, empty hand fighting developed in secret for a time, because of the influence of Japanese feudal lords who had conquered the island and prohibited their subjects from carrying weapons. This banning of weapons caused many of the people to begin practising unarmed forms of combat in secret.

Modern karate

Modern karate dates from the time when the late Master Gichin Funakoshi (then the head of the Okinawa Martial Arts Society) was requested by the Education Ministry of Japan in May 1922 to conduct performances of karate in Tokyo. The new art was enthusiastically received and was introduced into a number of universities where it took root and began to flourish.

Because karate was practised secretly in the past, a number of schools or styles developed. Today there are numerous schools in Japan, the most prominent being, The Japan Karate Association (Shotokan), Go-Ju-Ryu, Shito-Ryu and Wado-Ryu. Most of the leading schools have their headquarters in Japan and have branches in other countries.

Karate as a sport

Tournament karate is a game of reflexes which demand superb timing, speed, technique, strategy, sportsmanship and control. During tournaments, all blows, although focused strongly, should be halted just short of contact. While very exciting to watch, tournament karate is considered by most of the masters as a stepping stone and not an ultimate goal in the development of the karate-ka. Karate has spread rapidly not only among the younger generation as a sport for improving strength but has also become a popular means of exercise for middle-aged men and women to keep fit and trim. An increasing number of karate venues for children have also been established.

Principles of karate

When a student of karate (a karateka) reaches the Dan level, his body has been trained as a weapon. He can defend himself in any given situation and protect himself in all different directions, using his limbs freely and independently. The basic  techniques are divided into 4 groups, i.e. blocking, punching, kicking, and striking. In combat a karateka needs not only these techniques, but also others aspects - power, speed, timing, rhythm, breathing and a strong spirit. In a serious unarmed fight the individual possessing the stronger spirit and better technique will win. And, not only in that sense, the practice of karate will indeed lead to a development of character and self potential. As with other Japanese martial arts, karate requires a sound spirit and has clear rules of behavior and respect. The final purpose of karate training is not to defeat an opponent in competition but to develop perfect character, overcoming mental and physical sufferings under rigorous discipline.