Karate

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This article is about the martial art. For the band, see Karate (band).

Image:Karate.jpg

Karate or karate-dō (空手 or 空手道, "the way of the empty hand") is a martial art of Okinawan origin. Rather than being the product of any one person, culture or era, karate is a synthesis of various Okinawan fighting methods, enhanced intermittently with admixture from various Chinese martial arts. In modernity, it is categorized by some as budo, introduced to the Japanese main islands from Okinawa in 1921 by various Okinawan practitioners who migrated to Japan during the early 20th century. One who practices karate is sometimes referred to as a karate-ka ("karate practitioner").

Karate emphasizes explosive striking techniques, such as punching, kicking, knee/elbow strikes and open hand techniques. However, grappling, joint manipulations, locks, restraints, throwing and vital point striking are inherent in the finer points of the kata. Simple punching and kicking is too one dimensional to be called true karate.

In general, karate training is divided into three major areas, kihon, kata and kumite. Kihon (基本) is the study of the fundamental moves, the basic components, required to perform the art. Kata (型) means 'form' and is a series of movements and techniques, linked together by the principles that the kata expresses, represented as a fixed sequence of moves against imagined opponents. Kumite (組手) means 'sparring' and develops from well-defined kata to open sparring.

It is important to remember that the kihon/kata/kumite division of curriculum is by no means a complete representation of the sum of the art, nor is it the most 'traditional' approach. There are many different expressions of karate technique found in different styles, teachers and cultures, and none may be regarded as inferior or superior without a thorough experiential knowledge of the art.

Contents

History

Originally, karate was written as 唐手 ("Tang hand" from the Chinese Tang dynasty or by extension, "Chinese hand") reflecting the Chinese influence on the style. The current way of writing the characters means "empty hand" and karate-do thus means "the way of the empty hand." The name can be interpreted literally, or as a philosophical reference to the concept of Do (Tao or Dao in Chinese). Karate is a mixture of indigenous Okinawan fighting arts, and empty handed Chinese fighting arts, brought to Okinawa by political envoys, merchants and sailors from Fujian Province. To this day Karate still bears striking resemblance to Fujian martial arts such as Fujian White Crane, Five Ancestors, and Goroquan (Hard Soft Fist, pronounced "Gōjūken" in Japanese). The Okinawans called the discipline "te", or hand, or Chinese hand. There were no particular styles, but a network of practitioners with their own individual methods and eclectic traditions. By locality, early styles of karate can be generalized as Shuri-te, Naha-te and Tomari-te, named after the three cities in which they were formed. Each city (and teachers who lived in them) had particular techniques and principles which distinguished its local karate from the others.

Around the 1820's, Sokon Matsumura taught a synthesis of te (Shuri-te and Tomari-te) and "Shaolin" (Chinese 少林) or "Shorin-Ryu" (in Japanese) or "Small Forest Style" (English). It is important to note that styles per se did not exist before the 20th century, rather, karate was known by the local practicioners' particular flavor. Matsumura taught his karate to Anko Itosu, amongst others.

Gichin Funakoshi was a student of Anko Itosu and Yasutsune Azato. Funakoshi is generally credited with having introduced and popularized karate on the main islands of Japan. In some circles, he is referred to as the "Father of Modern Karate." This is accurate from the perspective that he worked specifically to introduce modernizations into karate. However, there were many other Okinawan karate men living and teaching in Japan during this time period. Funakoshi's peers included such notable figures as Kenwa Mabuni, Miyagi Chojun, Choshin Chibana, Motobu Choki, Kyan Chotoku, Kentsu Yabu and several others.

Funakoshi was responsible for changing the kanji used for writing the name of the art; he did this to get karate accepted by the Japanese budo organisation Dai Nippon Butokukai. Like most martial arts practiced in Japan, karate made its transition from -jutsu to -do around the beginning of the 20th century. The "do" in "karate-do", sets it apart from karate "jutsu", much as aikido is distinguished from aikijutsu, judo from jujutsu and so on. The name change also served to familiarize a foreign tradition during a time of fervent Japanese nationalism. Japan was occupying China at the time, and Funakoshi knew that the art of Tang/China hand would not be accepted, thus, the change to 'way of the empty hand.' The "do" suffix implies that karatedo is a path to self knowledge, not just a study of the technical aspects of fighting. The significance of "emptiness" within the "kara" portion of the name is also a probable reference to the concept of void, as it is found in Taoism and Zen practices. For example, mushin (literally, "no mind") is a concept referenced by many karate exponents of this time period. there is a very famous piece of philosophy which was deviced by Funakoshi "Hatsuun Jindo" meaning "parting the clouds as I seek the way". This decision was confirmed at the so-called "Meeting of the Masters" in October of 1936, which included Chojun Miyagi, Chomo Hanashiro, Kentsu Yabu, Chotoku Kyan, Genwa Nakasone, Choshin Chibana, Choryo Maeshiro and Shinpan Shiroma.

The modernization and systemization of karate in Japan also included the adoption of the ubiquitous white uniform which consisted of the kimono and the dogi or keikogi - mostly called just gi (pronounced 'ghee') - and colored belt ranks. Both of these innovations were originated and popularized by Jigoro Kano, the founder of Judo, one of the men Funakoshi consulted in his efforts to 'modernize' karate. Ranking systems and their values differ greatly from organization to organization, which sometimes leads to confusion when trying to determine a relative standard for karate training and credibility. Photos of early Okinawan practitioners show the masters in the street clothes of the day, or sometimes in briefs. A student trained under a teacher for years, without any sort of tangible advancement.

As it was adopted into modern Japanese culture, karate was imbued with some elements of the native gendai budo traditions. Classes often begin and end with brief periods of sitting in seiza and practising mokuso (meditation). Also, the repetition of precise, dynamic movements, coupled with synchronized breathing as in kata, is considered by some to be consistent with Zen meditation in its aims to maximize a student's composure, awareness, and physical presence (speed and power), while under stress. It is often referred to as a form of "moving Zen." Karate teachers differ greatly in the way they acknowledge - if at all - the Zen influence in karate-do. However, Zen does offer an avenue for self reflection, which is necessary to keep learners balanced as they learn an art which is, at its core, concerned with the study of violence.

Following its introduction and popularization in Japan, karate was introduced into high schools before World War II. It was seen as an asset for building strong, able young men who would be serving their country soon. Many universities initiated karate club programs, which bred a notoriously violent and competitive setting. In such clubs, seniors brutalized the junior students, in some cases inflictied vicious beatings as a final 'rite' for those who chose to leave. Many of the distinguishing traits of "traditional" karate thought by Westerners to be "traditional" originate from these clubs. The much misused catch-phrase of "Osu!" used in many dojos came directly from the club at Takushoku University as a product of Japanese military and youth culture. The word has no meaning or significance within the Japanese language itself, but in Western dojo it has the meaning of a respectful greeting or reply. It has no significance within karate in general.

Styles

Within karate there are presently a multitude of different styles or schools. These include:Shobayashi,Koei-Kan, Kobayashi-ryu, Matsubayashi-ryu, Matsumura Seito, Matsumura Motobu, Chito-ryu, Shindo Jinen Ryu, Shorinjiryu, Shorei-ryu, Shotokan, Shotokai, Shukokai ("Way for all"), Goju-ryu ("hard-soft way"), Kyokushin ("ultimate truth")and Kansuiryu. Other mainstream styles include Seido, Wado-ryu ("way of peace"), Uechi Ryu, Shito-ryu, Shudokan, Bushido Goju-Ryu, Genseiryu and Isshin-ryu (there are at least 3 different styles of isshinryu). Some organizations offer hybrids of karate styles such as the JIKC style.

Styles like Shotokan, Goju-ryu, Wado-ryu, Shito-ryu, Kushin-ryu, and Shindo Jinen Ryu are labelled as 'traditional' because they were founded during the early part of the 20th century. Full contact karate includes Kyokushin-kaikan which was founded by Masutatsu Oyama and other offshoots of Kyokushin, so-called because emphasis in matches is placed on the amount of damage done rather than the quality of technique displayed (although this is also important). Most full contact karate styles or organizations have developed from Kyokushin karate. Kansuiryu is a full contact karate style which has developed independantly of Kyokushin, while having a number of similarities.

There is great variance in the outer forms and principles among styles. For example, Shotokan karate is characterised by deep, long stances and rigid, powerful movements. At the other end of the spectrum, Wado Ryu prefers quick and subtle body movements (known as 'tai sabaki') to evade attacks and provide swift counter attacks. It is important to remember that karate is a physical representation of certain principles or techniques found to be useful in fighting. Although the representations may differ from style to style, the concepts themselves remain universal.

Karate Style-lines with Okinawa extraction (1372): Image:Karate Style-lines with Okinawa extraction.jpg

New Karate-Styles with Japanese extraction:

Gosoku-Ryu Koeikan-Ryu Nihon Kempo-Ryu Mushindo-Ryu Kushin-Ryu Shorinji-Kempo-Ryu(485) Shudukan-Ryu Kan-Zen-Ryu Washi-Shin-Ryu Kosho-Kempo-Ryu Kinto-Ryu Yamane-Ryu Kan-Ryu(1903) Shorinji Tetsu Kempo Kanda-ha Kamishin Ryu

New Karate-Styles with European extraction:

Fudokan-Ryu Shurei-Ryu(1989)

Karate as a sport

Since its introduction to Japan, karate has been adapted for practice as a competitive sport, although unlike other martial arts such as taekwondo or judo it does not possess Olympic status as an "Olympic Sport", although it received more than 50% of the votes necessary to become an official Olympic Sport. Seventy-five percent of the votes are required for a new sport to become Olympic Sport and Karate did not garner that level of support. The World Karate Federation (WKF) is the only recognized International Sport Federation by International Olympic Committee (IOC) for Karate and represents the major uniform rules among all styles.

All the countries are organized through only one national karate federation, recognized by each official national sports governing body and National Olympic Committee. Each continent had one federation for continental karate activities. WKF is for world karate activities. There are many organizations on national and international Karate organization, regarding competitive activities and styles activities but only WKF is recognized by International Olympic Committee and only one in each country is linked with that official structure and for that, official recognition of the country sports governing body is required. Each country organize their own karate championships following WKF rules.

Competition can be in three disciplines: kumite,kata or kobudo (weapons); competitors may enter either as individuals or as part of a team.

In Kata, there are two contestants on each bout (Aka – red belt – and Ao – Blue belt), and final evaluation for the best performance between two contestants is done by a panel of Kata judges. In team Kata (3 members each team), and only at the final contest, they must perform also a bunkai (application) demonstration. Criteria for evaluation should be consulted on official World Karate Federation website (www.wkf.net).

In Kobudo, competitors generally compete individually. Like kata, final evaluation among contestants is done by a panel of judges. Traditional karate weapons, (ie. bo, sai, tonfa, kama, nunchaku, etc.) are manipulated in a prearranged pattern similar to empty-hand kata. In traditional tournaments, the weapons kata is more functional and less flashy than at open tournaments. Traditional weapons kata are sometimes close to a hundred years old. The competitor must maintain control of his weapon. Dropping the weapon results in a major point deduction at minimum; disqualification is usually the result.

In Kumite there are two fighters paired in a timed fight (three or five minutes). Scores (Ipon, Nihon and Sanbon – 1, 2 and 3 points) are awarded by evaluation of the punch or kicking technique depending from target location and tactical situation (a simple punch to chest or face is ipon – 1 point – but if delivered after an allowed throwing is sanbon – 3 points – for instance). Speed, timing and tremendous accuracy are highly required for kumite competitors to score. Each punch or kick must be delivered with absolute control of the final contact regarding the target area. Score could be done by kumite refereeing panel (one referee and tree or five judges) only if there are not any injury on the target area. Penalties also are given to control fault on contact and forbidden behavior.

Ethical behavior is very important in karate competitions and the required initial and final traditional bow in kata and kumite disciplines is a real symbol that links the foundation of the past to the modernity of actual competition.

EXTERNAL LINK:

Karate in the West

Karate, like jujutsu, judo, aikido, and the koryu, came to America and then to the rest of the world through two primary paths: Japanese immigration to the United States, where it stayed largely inside the Japanese American community, although to a lesser degree in Hawaii; and by specialized study by members of the police and the military. It would be accurate to say that the biggest boost to the popularization of karate in America came with the American military occupation of Japan and Okinawa after World War II; once American soldiers had assimilated the discipline, they returned to the States and began to disseminate it.

The rise in popularity of kung fu movies among the public propelled karate and the other martial arts into a newfound popularity, but at a cost. The sudden swell in interest also brought with it a considerable amount of misinformation, misconceptions, and outright con artistry, to karate. Although legitimate teachers (Okinawa, Japan and the West) have helped to expand the knowledge and practice of the art, they are becoming increasingly hard to find among the crowd of 'commercial' dojos which teach watered down, misunderstood approaches to the art, usually under the auspices of "Grandmaster (insert name here)." It is not uncommon to encounter schools which offer contracts that guarantee a certain belt rank after a certain number of hours of attendance or fees paid. Refer to McDojo.

Many "freestyle" schools in the West (particularly the USA) sell a highly compromised interpretation of the art, and should not be regarded as emblematic of karate. The freestyle approach is oriented heavily towards sport competition, which includes point fighting and demonstration of forms (aka, kata) for entertainment value. Martial practicality is eschewed in favor of gymnastic and musical fashion. As a result of this competitive emphasis sparring is the most prominently featured aspect of many schools.With the removal of practical techniques and the prominence of high and vulnerable kicks, American freestyle “karate” has essentially been rendered into a bastardization of karate and sport style tae kwon do. The ineffectual hand techniques and high, rapid kicking constitute a limited skill base which is potentially finite and very predictable. When the "forms" practiced are compared to the self defense techniques taught in these schools it becomes obvious that the two have little or no relation to each other.

See also


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