What is Karate

THE MEANING OF KARA
The first connotation of kara indicates that karate is a technique that permits one to defend himself with his bare hands and fists without weapons.

Second, just as it is the clear mirror that reflects without distortion, or the quiet valley that echoes a sound, so must one who would study Karate-do purge himself of selfish and evil thoughts, for only with a clear mind and conscience can he understand that which he receives. This is another meaning of the element kara in Karate-do.

Next, he who would study Karate-do must always strive to be inwardly humble and outwardly gentle. However, once he has decided to stand up for the cause of justice, then he must have the courage expressed in the saying, "Even if it must be ten million foes, I go!" Thus, he is like the green bamboo stalk: hollow (kara) inside, straight, and with knots, that is, unselfish, gentle, and moderate. This meaning is also contained in the element kara of Karate-do.

Finally, in a fundamental way, the form of the universe is emptiness kara), and, thus, emptiness is form itself. There are many kinds of martial arts, judo, kendo, sojitsu ("spear techniques"), bojitsu ("stick techniques"), and others, but at a fundamental level all these arts rest on the same basis as Karate-do. It is no exaggeration to say that the original sense of Karate-do is at one with the basis of all martial arts. Form is emptiness, emptiness is form itself. The kara of Karate-do has this meaning.

Or Karate is a system of hand-to-hand fighting using the hands, feet, head, knees, and elbows as striking weapons. Karate was developed on the island of Okinawa from the 17th century and brought to Japan in the early 20th Century. Karate is a high risk, high yield martial art with an emphasis on maximizing the damage caused by each strike by harnessing every possible ounce of physical and mental leverage to exceed the normal limitations of the practitioner.

History of Karate:
Karate has an extensive history, which can best be discovered by reading a book by Harry Cook called Shotokan Karate: A Precise History. What we know of karate’s history is probably best summarized by saying that it originates with Chinese martial arts, particularly those of the city of Fuzhou in the Southeast of China. Documented travels to Fuzhou City by the diplomats and leaders of Okinawa, who studied Chinese martial arts there and returned home to teach them, show that karate originated there.

Karate also originated on Okinawa, as these Chinese arts were combined in with native Okinawan fighting methods resulting in an art the Okinawans called Toudi (Toh-Te in standard Japanese).

Over the years, the arts the Chinese practiced evolved and changed, and as this happened, the Okinawans absorbed several different systems into their fighting culture which eventually resulted in the creation of several different systems of karate.

During the early 20th Century, the nation of Japan was pursuing empire and was sending armies abroad into Asia on a mission of conquest and colonization. Engaged in extensive combat and occupational work in Korea and Manchuria, the Japanese government was quick to see karate as valuable and invite karate experts to travel to Japan and train people there. Funakoshi Gichin, the man identified as first bringing karate to Japan, moved there in 1922 and was assisted by several sponsors in establishing himself as a karate instructor. Most notable among his patrons was the man who founded Judo, Kano Jigoro.

While in the hands of the Japanese, karate has changed dramatically. The colorful belt system and uniforming of Judo were adopted, practices were changed from free-form to more rigorous, militarized methods better suited to teaching large groups of people. And, as more Okinawans moved to Japan to teach karate, the Japanese, in their nationalism, dropped the characters for Toh-Te and began referring to the art as Kara-Te, removing the reference to the Chinese from the name. As the Japanese were at war with China, this was not a surprising development, though many Okinawans protested.