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. |