| History: | | | | such as punching, kicking, knee and elbow strikes, and |
| Though Karate is often associated with Japanese | | | | open hand methods. Grappling, joint manipulations, locks, |
| martial arts, its true origin dwells in Okinawan combat | | | | restraints, throwing, and vital point striking are also parts |
| techniques and Southern Chinese martial arts. It is | | | | of this discipline. |
| basically a fusion of both arts and was introduced to | | | | Karate training is divided into three main sections - |
| Japan only in 1921. During this period, Karate was | | | | - Kihon refers to the study of basic techniques, |
| simply known as "Te", or hand, as called by the | | | | movements and components |
| Okinawans. Chinese influence is evident in the original | | | | - Kata or 'form', a fixed sequence of moves, is a |
| symbol for Karate - the "Tang Hand" or "Chinese | | | | series of movements and techniques linked together |
| Hand". | | | | by the combatative principles that the kata expresses. |
| There were no specified or concrete Karate styles in | | | | - Kumite or 'sparring' evovles from well-defined kata to |
| the early days and simply generalized as Shuri-te, | | | | open attack and defense. |
| Naha-te and Tomari-te, named after the three cities in | | | | The Uniform - Color of the Belt and Ranks: |
| which they were formed. Each city had its own | | | | The Karate uniform is white and comprised of the |
| methods, principles, system and traditions of Karate. | | | | Kimono (shirt), Dogi or Keikogi (pants) and a belt (white |
| The introduction, popularization and modernization of | | | | or colored), a combination introduced by Jigoro Kano, |
| Karate to Japan are mainly credited to Funakoshi, an | | | | the founder of Judo. The color of the belt is dependant |
| Okinawan master, venerably regarded by many | | | | on the rank and expertise of a practitioner. In |
| practitioners as "The Father of Modern Karate". Other | | | | accordance with commonly held standards, white belts |
| prominent Karate experts in his time include Kenwa | | | | are for beginners, and black for the highest rank. This, |
| Mabuni, Miyagi Chojun, Choshin Chibana, and Motobu | | | | howver, may differ from one organization to another. |
| Choki. | | | | Each rank may also have subdivions of its own even |
| Japan began introducing Karate as a subject in | | | | if the color of the belt is similar. Styles and Variations: |
| schools before the Second World War and soldiers in | | | | Karate styles can be broadly classified into Traditional |
| the army were often trained in the discipline. | | | | and Full Body Karate. Traditional styles are those that |
| Competitions and different styles also started | | | | developed in the early period of the 20th century and |
| emerging as several universities started karate club | | | | include variants such as Shotokan, Goju-ryu, Wado-ryu, |
| programs during this period. | | | | Shito-ryu, Kushin-ryu, and Shindo Jinen Ryu. Full contact |
| The popularization of Karate in the West has its roots | | | | karate includes styles such as Kyokushin-kaikan and |
| in the American military occupation of Japan and | | | | Kansuiryu. Many of the styles have offshoots that |
| Okinawa after the Second World War, and Japanese | | | | developed into styles of their own. Although the |
| immigration to the United States. | | | | concepts remain universal, each representation differ |
| Fundamentals of Karate: | | | | from one another. |
| Karate mainly stresses on volatile combat techniques | | | | |