subject: Dedication And Perseverance Are The Key To Implementing The History Of Karate [print this page] The martial art of karate is a relative newcomer to the martial arts game. Developed in the Ryukyu kingdom which is now Okinawa, it was a combination of local moves and Chinese ken po. The history of karate is a coming together of different styles and cultures to create one martial art form.
The strength of practicing karate comes from the striking impact of the blows. Whether using your feet, knees, or hand the movement is sharp and quick. The karate chop is a blow most seen and is an open handed blow to the soft part of the body that is usually protecting the pulse points. An individual that practices karate is called a karateka.
The types of karate were determined by three separate towns on the island. Shuri-te, naha-te, and tomari-te are the cities the styles are named after and also determined by the teachers and the kata that is taught there.
The practice of karate includes the set movements and structure known as kata. These movements can be used in defense or in offense. The practice of the kata is done with much repetition. Making the structured placements help to clear the mind and bring the thoughts to purity and spiritually to bring one to a place of humility.
In the Ryukyu kingdom the upper class used to go to China to study academically and also learned the art of Chinese martial arts. When they returned home what they learned was incorporated into their own martial arts practice and the two gelled together.
The Chinese also visited and lived on the island of Okinawa. Like cultural ambassadors they brought their art, song, academics and martial art practice to the karate of the island. This exchange grew art and it became a new and exciting part of two cultures.
One of the foremost teachers, Gichin Funakoshi was asked to come to Japan during the twenties so that he could teach them the art of karate. The Japanese were excited and wanted to bring a martial art to the military and karate seemed a perfect fit. With the advent of this practice many new places began teaching the karate and it spread across Japan.
Of course some alterations had to be done to fit the new society that was practicing it. They added the use of an all white kimono or dojo which was the uniform to wear while moving through the kata. Added were belts in various colors that showed the individuals rank. The belts were also called dan.
After the end of World War II the American forces ended up on Okinawa. This meant that the men stationed there learned the practice of karate. Further introduction to the west was through the martial art movies of the sixties and seventies. With these movies people started taking up the practice and schools popped up in the many other countries.
The art of karate is to use perseverance and fearlessness to excel at the kata and be able to defend yourself if attacked. Add to that the ideals of being a leader and you find a martial art that brings a sense of accomplishment not just physically but spiritually as well.
With an assimilation of so many cultures the history of karate is tied to many other countries history. What you do in karate transfers to you day to day life. The practice and the mind set give you a powerful edge in the world.
