Karate was first developed on the island of Okinawa during the 16th century as a form of self-defence. During this time carrying weapons was forbidden yet banditry was widespread. It is now one of the most widely practiced martial arts in the world.

History and Philosophy

Karate means “way of the empty hand” and is predominantly concerned with fighting with bare hands and feet. The basic principle is to use the body as an effective weapon to defend and attack whenever appropriate.

Karate’s roots can be traced back to ancient India and China. Modern karate first evolved when a Japanese clan occupied Okinawa in the 15th century. A strict law which forbade the carrying of weapons was passed, but local bandits largely ignored the prohibition. For protection, Zen Buddhist monks developed the “empty handed” system that later became karate. Karate spread to Japan when Okinawa became a Japanese province in 1879.

After World War II ended, many U.S. servicemen learnt karate and brought the art back home. Today, many men and women learn karate for self-defence. Colleges, karate clubs, military and police training schools teach karate.

Karate Training

Karate training takes place in a gymnasium or hall called a dojo. Practitioners wear the gi, a loose cotton jacket tied with a coloured belt (denoting rank), and trousers with a drawstring or elastic waist.

Basic karate techniques include stances and methods of blocking, kicking, punching and striking and are often practiced in pre-arranged patterns called katas.

There are numerous styles of karate practised around the world, most of them developed by different Karate experts or schools. These styles vary on how karate techniques are applied, and on the different emphases on strength, speed, or hand and leg techniques.