A Brief History of Karate

With the wide range of martial arts available today, it's easy to lose sight of the styles which influenced and laid the groundwork for the many contemporary eclectic systems of modern times.   In fact, martial arts have been borrowing from one another for centuries.   As early as the mid-14th century, kung fu began to mix with Okinawan tode.   And even into the 19th century, many grandmasters blended elements of the styles they had encountered in other lands with techniques native to their own countries.   Their students, in turn, began to hybridize the teachings of their instructors, creating offshoots of the original system.   So, to inform people on how some of the arts came into being, this page was made.
 

The art known as kara-te (empty hand) was once called Okinawa-te (Okinawan hand).   Okinawa is located midway between Japan and China.   Around 400 years ago, King Shohashi united Okinawa and ordered the burning of all weapons to prevent armed uprisings.   Two hundred years later, the Satsuma clan from the Japanese main island of Kyushu conquered Okinawa, and again renewed the ban on weapons.   In response, the islanders developed an unarmed system of self-defense so effective that the island rebels could kill a Japanese warrior in leather armor with one strike at a vital point.   At this time (mid 1500's) Okinawan fighting     arts were divided between the three cities for which they were named: Naha, Shuri, and Tomari.   And from this cities originated: naha-te (also known as Goju Ryu), shuri-te (also known as Sho-Rin Ryu), and tomari-te (also known as Isshin Ryu), respectively. 

This early form of karate was influenced by the Chinese martial arts, as was Okinawa's culture, due to its location between China and Japan.   As Okinawa merged politically and culturally with Japan, the art of karate became popular there, primarily through the efforts of Master Gichin Funakoshi (1868-1957) who founded the style known as Shotokan.   Karate spread worldwide after World War II.

Traditional karate is a martial art (budo), in which the primary goal is not aggression, but self improvement.   The power of karate comes not from muscle strength, but understanding of body dynamics and mental focus (kime).

Kime (focus) is the synchronization of the entire body to support the point of contact with the opponent.   It is kime which allows the karate student to master the finishing blow.   A finishing blow (todome) is one technique, whether punch, kick, or strike, sufficient to incapacitate an opponent.   This technique is facilitated by the extension of mental energy (ki) which is developed through concentration and control.

Karate training is based on continuous effort to improve, both physically and mentally.  The process of improving in karate is based on eliminating one's ego and attaining a calm state of mind.   This clarity of mental function and self-confidence benefits the student not only in karate but also in all aspects of life, including job performance and academics.   Kicking and punching alone are a small part of the art of karate.

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