Monday, October 31, 2011

A Brief History of Karate

Karate Do is a martial art originating from Japan, the martial art of karate was first introduced in the Okinawa area. The martial arts were first called "Tote" which means "China Hand". Sensei Gichin Funakoshi changed the kanji Okinawa (Tote: China Hand) in Japanese kanji into karate which means "Empty Hand" to be more readily accepted by Japanese society. Karate consists from the above two words. The first is 'Kara' and means 'empty' and 'te' means 'hand'.

According to the Zen-Nippon Karate do Renmei/Japan Karate do Federation (JKF) and the World Karate do Federation (WKF), there are four major styles of karate which are:
The fourth stream is recognized as a major Karate style because it participates in the formation of JKF and WKF.
A Brief History of Karate
Sensei Gichin Funakoshi
But the popular karate styles in the world not only the four major karate styles. There are several major streams such as Kyokushin, Shorin-ryu and Uechi-ryu spread too many countries in the world and is known as a popular Karate flow, although not included in the "four main styles according to the WKF Karate".

In Japan, sports organizations throughout Japan Karate are JKF. The organization that embodies the whole world is a WKF Karate used to be known by the name WUKO (World Union of Karate do Organizations). There is also ITKF (International Traditional Karate Federation) which contain traditional karate. The function of JKF and WKF Karate is mainly to confirm that is "without direct contact", in contrast to the flow of Kyokushin or Daidojuku that "direct contact".

Karate Do is divided into three basic exercises like the following:
  • Kihon, namely practice the basic techniques of karate techniques such as hitting, kicking and parry.
  • Word, namely practice karate.
  • Kumite, sparring practice.