Martial Arts: Karate
Karate translates, as is generally accepted, to Empty Hand in Japanese. Karate is a martial art that uses weaponless techniques such as punching and kicking to overcome the opponent. Typically, fighters wear a white Karate Uniform (Gi) and a belt that indicates their skill level and rank.
The development of Karate began in Okinawa, an island south of Japan. Okinawans travelled to China, where they learnt the Chinese martial arts. On their return to Okinawa they set about blending their own martial arts (initially simply called Te, “Hands”) with what they had learnt in China and called it To-De, Chinese Hands.
From this, 4 main styles of Karate developed - Goju Ryu, Shorin Ryu, Uechi Ryu and Shorei Ryu. Gichin Funakoshi, who trained under several Okinawan Karate masters, developed his own style of Karate that he named Shotokan.
Funakoshi introduced Shotokan to Japan in the early 20th century. Other Okinawan masters soon followed him - Chojun Miyagi with Goju Ryu and Kenwa Mabuni with Shito Ryu. From these masters many new styles were soon developed. For example Kyokushinkai by Mas Oyama, Goju Kai by Gogen Yamaguchi, Wado Ryu by Hinonori Ohtsuka.
There are now hundreds of different styles of karate across the world, but all
can be traced back to the original four from Okinawa.
Origin of Karate: Okinawa
Karate was founded in the 16th century and formalised into different styles in the early 20th century.
Karate is currently popularised by:
- Masatoshi Nakayama, Keinosuke Enoeda: Shotokan Karate
- Morio Higaonna: Goju Ryu Karate
- Gogen and Gosei Yamaguchi: Goju Kai Karate
- Mas Oyama: Kyokushinkai Karate
- Fumio Demura: Shito Ryu Karate
- Richard Kim: Shorin Ryu Karate
All-Karate.com has more detailed information on the following styles:
September 18th, 2005 at 12:36 am
karate is my life. i was into the field for the past 20 years
September 18th, 2005 at 10:00 pm
Chito Ryu Yoshukai Karate
November 15th, 2005 at 5:30 pm
When I lost my way. I refer my karate to answer my question or run my brain in order to think.
December 14th, 2005 at 12:30 pm
Karate originated as a form of self-defense for women. I myself have been to classes and found it to be fairly comical. So many men nowadays brag abou […] more
February 3rd, 2006 at 8:21 am
What the hell are you talking about, Karate only came to japan at the end of the 19th century. it was used by the peaple of Okinawa to defend themself […] more
February 6th, 2006 at 12:42 am
Hey great info becaue u guy helped me type my report!
February 6th, 2006 at 11:11 am
No problem mate. If you want more info on such things theres a good book by Peater lewis, cant remember the title think is something like “a history o […] more
February 7th, 2006 at 10:01 pm
How many type of martial arts total in the world today?
February 8th, 2006 at 7:31 am
Hard to say, probably impossible to know for sure. Every country has at least one form of combat. There are over 1500 known forms of kung fu, proba […] more
March 5th, 2006 at 2:51 am
im just a beginner at karate and i love all the karate kid movies. in number 1 mr miagi said that te means hand and karate means empty hand. is that t […] more
March 7th, 2006 at 7:18 pm
yes it’s true. Thanks for helping me with my black belt test dude!
April 13th, 2006 at 1:37 pm
Karate is good for fighting people that don’t know how to fight, and for fighting other Karate guys. At its best, it gives people discipline, self-res […] more
April 20th, 2006 at 11:55 am
i love karate but my stupid mom made me come out i’d love to get back in i’m 12.
May 3rd, 2006 at 9:38 pm
i hate cun fooooo a girl kicked me right in te balls yep thats right in the balls right in the balls
May 3rd, 2006 at 9:42 pm
ha ha u got kick in the goolies sucked in cononer mcmullen
May 3rd, 2006 at 9:47 pm
owch thats got to hert
May 5th, 2006 at 5:44 pm
Hey man why that girl kick u in the balls?
May 21st, 2006 at 7:29 am
I am on orange belt in karate and i think it is great. It has taught me a lot about self defense and are instructors are boss where I do my karate at. […] more
June 3rd, 2006 at 12:25 am
Isnt this style the same as tkd?
July 3rd, 2006 at 7:40 am
what does ryu at the end of each style mean?
August 15th, 2006 at 10:18 am
NO TKD is Korean and relies on kicks more!
August 19th, 2006 at 8:13 am
TES CORPORATION FIFTH ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL SHOTOKAN KARATE-DO (W.S.K.F.) CUP REGULATIONS e competition shall be held in accordance with the 200 […] more
September 11th, 2006 at 2:34 am
OK, I’m a red belt in karate, but i’m a bit confused. Someone said that they are a orange bely about to grade to their red. At GKR (my karate club), t […] more
September 26th, 2006 at 12:21 pm
Belts in Karate vary from place to place. The truth is, belts don’t mean anything, they hold the pants up and/or the jacket. Train and have fun. Doesn […] more
September 30th, 2006 at 1:13 pm
A red belt holder is one who has his tenth degree of dan’s.that is judan.A Black belt holder is known as shodan.The nineth Dan holder may wear a white […] more
October 25th, 2006 at 11:41 pm
Has anyone ever studied yoshukai karate? If so please share what you know about it,thanks.
November 20th, 2006 at 6:03 pm
Hi, Im just amazed at all of the so call martial artist who always put out the wrong information about karate (empty hand).Hey befor you make youself […] more
November 23rd, 2006 at 7:44 pm
American Shorin Ryu? Is this the same as Matsubyashi, but started by one of Nagamine’s American students in the 60’s? ASKA or something like that?
November 28th, 2006 at 2:38 am
J-Bird,James, and YeahYeahYeah you’re all wrong. Karate in Japan did not originate as self defense for females, or for that matter from Okinawa, since […] more
November 28th, 2006 at 2:52 pm
ILOVVVVVVVVVVVE KARATE
December 15th, 2006 at 9:27 am
Karate is a good thing to learn. I agree that it is a good thing for woman. I havre been taking classes for a while now and makes me feel confident in […] more
December 21st, 2006 at 12:17 pm
Can anyone tell me what “JOW SHU” is? Having a hard time finding info! Thanks!
December 21st, 2006 at 7:43 pm
Seems to me like many people haves their own views on various martial arts, and thats alright with me. My view is you cannot become a skilled fighter […] more
December 22nd, 2006 at 3:50 pm
Yes ,I have studied Yoshukai , back in the late 80’s before there was the different branches like the int. u.s. and world Yoshukai . What thing […] more
December 22nd, 2006 at 4:10 pm
oh … maybe it’s the best place to show all the things.
December 27th, 2006 at 11:31 pm
Hey michael, thanks for replying. Please just share all you know through your experiences with yoshukai. Such as sparring, the use of hands vs. feet, […] more
January 16th, 2007 at 8:23 am
Im into Shorei Ryu Karate
January 25th, 2007 at 11:03 am
I have to say that the information on your site, gave me a greater understanding of the various styles of martial arts. I am on my final brown belt no […] more
January 25th, 2007 at 11:05 am
I have to say that the information on your site, gave me a greater understanding of the various styles of martial arts. I am on my final brown belt no […] more
February 9th, 2007 at 8:44 pm
Most important: DON’T RESTRICT YOURSELF TO ONE STYLE!!! Train and study many styles, find ones that you are comfortable and competent in, and never be […] more
March 16th, 2007 at 8:31 am
RESPECTED SIR. I AM AMAL GUL BLACK BELT 3RD DAN FROM PAKISTAN. I WANT PARTICIPATE ME AND MY TEAM ANY TOURNAMENT OR ANY PROGRAME OF YO […] more
March 22nd, 2007 at 4:15 am
Hey shotokai rules, im a blue belt and luvin it, its great fun, and a good work out =]
April 10th, 2007 at 8:42 pm
same question. looking for information / dvd’s / other information on jow shu.
April 19th, 2007 at 1:14 pm
im on a whit belt and im getting graded 4 my red belt on tuesday
April 23rd, 2007 at 8:05 pm
My dojo is one of the very few places where i can challenge myself physically and mentally, i go there to realive feelings of agression and stress. i […] more
April 30th, 2007 at 5:11 pm
I personally don’t like karate that much as it wastes too much time on kata. I guess what ever rocks your boat dudes.
May 22nd, 2007 at 9:34 pm
hello we need more information plz about karate elephants do u like elephants we do
May 30th, 2007 at 6:18 pm
I am an 11 year old blue belt, 1st degree, and am third in the province of Canada(Ontario), and I just want to say this site has a lot of info! It has […] more
August 9th, 2007 at 5:07 pm
this better be correct im doing my report from this and all info must be correct if i fail the report i blame who ever made this article
August 18th, 2007 at 11:14 am
Yes I am a instructor of Yoshukai Karate email me with questions I will be happy to answer them if I can
August 28th, 2007 at 11:48 am
i would like to know which of the following martial arts would be best for my son. he is adhd and i would like for him to be able to focus more in sch […] more
September 17th, 2007 at 9:18 pm
hey i have just started zen do kai. need some help tho but any of u guys heard of the (123)
November 7th, 2007 at 9:25 pm
chito ryu is also a style of Okinawa made by Dr. Shitose
November 10th, 2007 at 12:26 am
We practice Yoshukai here in Texas. It is a very open and versatile style. In incorporates anything that works. It is still predominantly standup, fee […] more
December 7th, 2007 at 1:00 pm
I’m white belt graduate and i’m PROUD!!
December 11th, 2007 at 5:41 pm
I HAVE STUDIED YOSHUKAI KARATE, EARNED MY BLABCK BELT 9 YRS AGO - WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO KNOW?
December 26th, 2007 at 9:48 pm
Question:What traditional style of karate would lend itself best to a man who is well coordinated, stands a little more than 6′,3″, and has a long tru […] more
December 27th, 2007 at 6:46 am
it is a power full techniq for self defence it can give stornge body and self confidance
February 11th, 2008 at 3:28 pm
cao
February 11th, 2008 at 9:59 pm
I have an uncle that taught me kung-foo, although i was taking karate i started taking kung-foo, and found it is much more powerfull than karati, but […] more
March 17th, 2008 at 3:59 pm
“Ryu is group or family of martial arts schools. Kiaido Ryu has a strong emphasis on a supportive family approach. This provides a support structure o […] more
April 1st, 2008 at 4:19 pm
My sensei says the only thing his black belt does is hold his pants up.
April 15th, 2008 at 2:57 am
does anyone know anything about tae kyon karate any info greatly appreciated
May 22nd, 2008 at 5:52 am
i love karate its great and i luv my sensei
May 22nd, 2008 at 5:54 am
stuart my sensie is great he is really funny and my mum fancys him HAHAHA!!
May 25th, 2008 at 1:53 pm
Hi i don’t blame you for being confused.but there are a lot of variations in belt colours.If you look at my blog i have the colours that i passed many […] more
June 18th, 2008 at 1:22 am
karate is a very basic style good for people that want to do martial arts for show but other than that totally useless and brainless style. kung fu fo […] more
August 3rd, 2008 at 2:32 am
I practice Tae Kyon Karate under a few teachers, i can try to answer any questions you may have regarding the system
August 22nd, 2008 at 10:48 am
well quite frankley most of these make me laugh cause im a black belt in sambo and i’ve been against so many people who take karate and ju jitsu and i […] more
August 25th, 2008 at 10:27 pm
it all comes down to the person not the style. If the practioner does not have intent in their attacks they will get beaten, ive fought Thai Fighters, […] more
August 31st, 2008 at 6:25 am
Seido Karate is missing from the list. I personally find it very rewarding both physically and mentally. It is fun and we have a very supportive group […] more
September 1st, 2008 at 10:54 pm
Red belt in Karate? Explain
September 30th, 2008 at 2:14 am
My style, Shuri ryu is alsmo missing
November 11th, 2008 at 6:56 pm
Yoshukai is a japanese martial art.I study the art for four years under sensei Thomas and was tested, sensie bunnie and master mike froster,1974 it […] more
November 17th, 2008 at 8:09 am
Respected SENSEI OSS it is to state with due reverence that I have been doing as Inatructor Karate for the past quite some time. […] more