Karate

Karate originated in the island of Okinawa, an independent nation at the time. Because of its geographical proximity to China and Japan, the cultural influence from both nations is evident.

Various fighting systems were developed and influenced by the Chinese mainland such as Shuri Te and Naha Te and further developments led to Shorin Ryu and others.

These Okinawan fighting arts became referred to by the umbrella term 'Karate', meaning “China Hand”. Funakoshi Gichin, Chojun Miyagi and others took Karate to mainland Japan where it flourished. In 1936, Funakoshi took on the leadership of Japanese Karate and later the meaning of Karate was changed to 'Empty Hand' presumably to sever ties with China.

Karate is an unarmed form of self-defence which relies on delivering blows to your opponent from carefully poised positions. Techniques include punching, kicking, knee and elbow strikes and open-handed techniques such as knife-hands. More than just a method of combat though, self discipline, a positive attitude and a high moral purpose are equally important to the art.

Today many styles and associations exist, with the some of the major associations styles being Shotokan, Wado Ryu, Goju Ryu, Kyokushinkai and Shito Ryu.

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