Karate

Karate or karate-do is a Japanese martial art, introduced from Okinawa in 1922. In Japanese, kara means empty; te means hand; do means the way, thus karate-do means "the way of the empty hand". Shuri-Te, Naha-Te, Tomari-Te are the three styles of Te (Hands) that Karate descended from.

Originally, Karate was written as ("Tang Hand" from the Chinese Tang dynasty or by extension, "Chinese Hand") due to the influence of Shaolin on the native Okinawan fighting styles that Karate originated from, since merchants and sailors from Fujian Province were travelling back and forth to Okinawa. In 1820, Sokon "Bushi" Matsumura blended the three styles of Te ("Chinese Hand") into "Shaolin" or "Shorin-Ryu" (in Japanese) or "Forest Style" (English). However Matsumura's own students broke the style back down again into more branches and their students continued this break down adding or subtracting whatever suited them. Gichin Funakoshi, a student of one of Matsumura's students named [[Yatsutsune "Ankoh" Itosu]] changed the meaning of "Chinese Hand" to "Empty Hand" since no weapons were used. He did this in 1929 to better reflect the philosophy of the art; and try to get it noticed and popularized by the Japanese mainland. This was particularly important during this period of rising Japanese nationalism. Thus he founded Shotokan from Itosu's version of Matsumura Shorin-ryu which is commonly called Shorei-ryu.

Karate, like jujutsu and judo, most likely came to America through two primary paths: Japanese immigrants to Hawaii and the mainland, where it stayed largely inside the Japanese American community, although to a lesser degree in Hawaii, and by specialized study by members of the police and the military. It would be accurate to say that the biggest boost to the popularization of karate in America came with the American military occupation of Japan after World War II; once American soldiers had assimilated the discipline, they returned with it to the States and began to disseminate it.

Like most martial arts active in Japan, Karate made its transition to Karate-Do at the beginning of the 20th Century. The "Do" in "Karate-Do" means "Way," which is analogous to the familiar Chinese concept of Tao. As it was adopted into modern Japanese culture, Karate was imbued with some elements of Zen Buddhism, and the practice of Karate is sometimes called a form of "moving Zen." Classes often begin and end with brief periods of meditation. Also, the repetition of movements, as in Kata, is consistent with Zen meditation in that it is intended to maximize a student's composure, awareness, and physical presence (speed and power), even while under stress.

Karate teachers differ greatly in the way they acknowledge -- if at all -- the Zen influence in Karate-do.

The modernization (and systemization) of Karate in Japan also included the adoption of the ubiquitous white uniform, or Do-Gi, and colored belt ranks, both of which were originated and popularized by Jigoro Kano, the founder of Judo. Photos of early Okinawan practitioners show the masters in the street clothes of the day, or sometimes in briefs.

Karate was popularized in Japan and introduced into high schools before World War II.

Karate-Do does not, contrary to its Chinese relatives, include the use of weapons. Any weapons used are strictly within the Okinawan tradition, kobudo (the use of modified farming tools and common implements as weapons), since 'normal' weapons were banned in Okinawa. Within Karate and Karate-Do, there are a multitude of different Ryu's (styles or schools). The most renowned are Shaolin (Shorin-Ryu, "Forest style"), Shobayashi ("small forest style"), Kobayashi-ryu ("young forest style"), Matsubayashi-ryu, ("pine forest style"), Matsumura Seito ("Orthodox Style") and Matsumura Motobu ("Street Style"). From these came the more popular styles we have today such as Shorinji-ryu (Kempo) and Shorei-ryu as well as Shotokan ("pine wave") and Goju ryu ("hard-soft way") also Kyokushin ("ultimate truth"). Other mainstream styles are Seido, Wado Ryu ("way of peace"), Uechi Ryu, and Shito ryu as well as Isshin-ryu. Some styles of karate have teachers that have created hybrids of karate styles such as JIKC style which uses a combination of karate styles.

The Shotokan style of Karate is characterised by deep, long stances to provide stability and powerful movements. At the other end of the spectrum, Wado Ryu ("way of peace") prefers quick and subtle body movements (known as 'tai sabaki') to evade attacks and swift counter attacks. The Wado Ryu style was introduced to the West by Sensei Tatsuo Suzuki.

Karate is a difficult martial art and emphasises striking techniques (i.e. punching and kicking) over grappling. Karate can be divided into two major parts, kumite and kata. Kumite means sparring and develops from well defined forms to the free form named randori. Kata means forms and is a fight against imaginary enemies, it is a fixed sequence of moves.

Karate may also be practiced as a competitive sport -- although unlike taekwondo and judo, Karate is not yet an Olympic sport. Competition can be in either kumite or kata; competitors may enter either as individuals or as part of a team.

Yakusoku Kumite starts at Green Belt (Yon-Kyu). Two opponents usually square off and fight until a clean point is scored, as indicated by one of two seated judges by coloured flags or seen by the standing referee. At this point sparring is stopped and the point is awarded. Points systems vary but in general a half-point (wazari) is awarded for a single punch or for a kick to the body. A full point (ippon) is given for an attack such as a head kick, any attack following the opponent being taken to the ground or a combination technique (renrakuwaza).

Jiyu Kumite can look more like a brawl or street fight. It is the more serious side of the martial arts, being done more for defense or close-combat "Real Time" training than for sport. Although every technique should be controlled, the fighters do push themselves to be their best. No points are awarded.

In Kata, points are awarded by five seated judges, similar to either gymnastics or ice skating tournaments depending on the quality of the performance. A good Kata performance should perform all the movements correctly but also show a personal interpretation of the movements through one's variation in speed. When Kata is performed as a team (usually of three), it is also important to match the timing of techniques as closely as possible.

In Kumite there are two fighters paired in a timed fight, usually ranging from two to five minutes. Score is awarded either by technique or location.

In the United States, Karate tournaments are a popular part of the sport, ranging in size from small local gatherings to national events. They are typically divided into classes by skill, age and event type (Kata, Kumite and weapons-kata), and have rules depending on location and the chief style(s) involved.