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83-623: Shotokan ( 松涛館 , Shōtōkan ) is a style of karate , developed from various martial arts by Gichin Funakoshi (1868–1957) and his son Gigo (Yoshitaka) Funakoshi (1906–1945). Gichin Funakoshi was born in Okinawa and is widely credited with popularizing "karate do" through a series of public demonstrations, and by promoting the development of university karate clubs, including those at Keio , Waseda , Hitotsubashi (Shodai) , Takushoku , Chuo , Gakushuin , and Hosei . Funakoshi had many students at
166-526: A karate-ka ( 空手家 ) . Beginning in the 1300s, early Chinese martial artists brought their techniques to Okinawa. Despite the Ryukyu Kingdom being turned into a puppet state by Japanese samurai in 1609, after the Invasion of Ryukyu , its cultural ties to China remained strong. Since Okinawans were banned from carrying swords under samurai rule, groups of young aristocrats created unarmed combat methods as
249-432: A Chinese-derived martial art called tōde (Okinawan: tōdī , lit. ' Tang hand ' ) emerged. According to Gichin Funakoshi, a distinction between Okinawan-te and tōde existed in the late 19th century. With the emergence of tōde , it is thought that te also came to be called Okinawa-te (Okinawan: Uchinādī , lit. ' Okinawa hand ' ). However, this distinction gradually became blurred with
332-426: A form of resistance, combining Chinese and local styles of martial arts. Training emphasized self-discipline. This blend of martial arts became known as kara-te 唐手 , which translates to "Chinese hand." Initially, there were no uniforms, colored belts, ranking systems, or standardized styles. Many elements essential to modern karate were actually incorporated a century ago. The Ryukyu Kingdom had been conquered by
415-425: A full range of target areas (including punches and kicks to the face, head, throat, and body) with no padding or protective gloves, but maintains a degree of safety for the participants. Throwing one's partner and performing takedowns are permitted in free sparring, but it is unusual for competition matches to involve extended grappling or ground-wrestling, as Shotokan karateka are encouraged to end an encounter with
498-517: A lesser degree, seniority. As with many martial arts, Shotokan uses a system of coloured belts to indicate rank. Most Shotokan schools use the kyū / dan system but have added other belt colours. The order of colours varies widely from school to school, but kyu belts are denoted with colours that in some schools become darker as a student approaches shodan . Dan level belts are invariably black, with some schools using stripes to denote various ranks of black belt. Gichin Funakoshi himself never awarded
581-684: A magazine reported a story about Motobu defeating a foreign boxer in Kyoto, karate rapidly became well known throughout Japan. In this era of escalating Japanese militarism , the name was changed from 唐手 ("Chinese hand" or " Tang hand") to 空手 ("empty hand") – both of which are pronounced karate in Japanese – to indicate that the Japanese wished to develop the combat form in Japanese style. After World War II, Okinawa became (1945) an important United States military site and karate became popular among servicemen stationed there. The martial arts movies of
664-467: A military officer on a mission from Qing that visited Ryukyu in 1756, and some believe that karate originated with Kōshōkun. In addition, the will (Part I: 1778, Part II: 1783) of Ryukyuan samurai Aka Pēchin Chokushki (1721–1784) mentions the name of a martial art called karamutō ( からむとう ), along with Japanese Jigen-ryū swordsmanship and jujutsu , indicating that Ryukyuan samurai practiced these arts in
747-488: A much more fluid style that incorporates grappling, throwing and some standing joint locking techniques, which can be found even in basic kata. Kumite (fighting) techniques are practiced in the kihon and kata and developed from basic to advanced levels with an opponent. Gichin Funakoshi laid out the Twenty Precepts of Karate (or Niju kun ), which form the foundations of the art, before some of his students established
830-556: A rank higher than Godan (5th dan black belt). Kihon basics is the practice of basic techniques in Shotokan Karate. It includes stances, blocks, punches, kicks, various displacements and their combinations, as well as the practice of Kihon Kata like: Taikyoku Shodan, which was developed by Yoshitaka Funakoshi, the son of Gichin Funakoshi, as a basic introduction to karate kata. (Yoshitaka also developed Taikyoku Nidan and Sandan.) This first kata consists of successive restatements following
913-431: A single attack ( ippon ), avoiding extended periods of conflict, or unnecessary contact in situations where there may be more than one attacker. Kaishu ippon kumite is an additional sparring exercise that is usually introduced for higher grades. This starts in a similar manner to freestyle one-step sparring; the attacker names the attack he/she will execute, attacks with that technique, and the defender blocks and counters
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#1732848104287996-466: A very brief time near the end of his life, An'ichi Miyagi (a teacher claimed by Morio Higaonna ). In addition to the three early te styles of karate a fourth Okinawan influence is that of Uechi Kanbun (1877–1948). At the age of 20 he went to Fuzhou in Fujian Province, China, to escape Japanese military conscription. While there he studied under Shū Shiwa (Chinese: Zhou Zihe 周子和 1874–1926). He
1079-575: Is Motobu Udundī ( lit. ' Motobu Palace Hand ' ), which has been handed down to this day in the Motobu family, one of the branches of the former Ryukyu royal family. In the 16th century, the Ryukyuan history book " Kyūyō " ( 球陽 , established around 1745) mentions that Kyō Ahagon Jikki , a favored retainer of King Shō Shin, used a martial art called "karate" ( 空手 , lit. ' empty hand ' ) to smash both legs of an assassin. This karate
1162-452: Is a martial art developed in the Ryukyu Kingdom . It developed from the indigenous Ryukyuan martial arts (called te ( 手 ) , "hand"; tī in Okinawan) under the influence of Chinese martial arts . While modern karate is primarily a striking art that uses punches and kicks, traditional karate training also employs throwing and joint locking techniques. A karate practitioner is called
1245-462: Is a performance or a demonstration, with every technique potentially a killing blow ( ikken hisatsu )—while paying particular attention to form and timing (rhythm). As the karateka grows older, more emphasis is placed on the health benefits of practicing kata , promoting fitness while keeping the body soft, supple, and agile. Several Shotokan groups have introduced "kata" (form) from other styles into their training. The original Shotokan kata syllabus
1328-548: Is considered to be not only about fighting techniques, but also about spiritual cultivation. Many karate schools and dōjōs have established rules called dōjō kun , which emphasize the perfection of character, the importance of effort, and respect for courtesy. Karate featured at the 2020 Summer Olympics after its inclusion at the Games was supported by the International Olympic Committee . Web Japan (sponsored by
1411-640: Is freestyle one-step sparring ( jiyu ippon kumite ). This type of kumite , and its successor—free sparring, have been documented extensively by Nakayama and are expanded upon by the JKA instructor trainee program, for those clubs under the JKA. Freestyle one-step sparring is similar to one-step sparring but requires the karateka to be in motion. Practicing one-step sparring improves free sparring ( jiyu kumite ) skills, and also provides an opportunity for practicing major counter-attacks (as opposed to minor counter-attacks). Tsutomu Ohshima states that freestyle one-step sparring
1494-537: Is introduced in Funakoshi's book Karate-do Kyohan , which is the master text of Shotokan karate. Japan Shotokai's kata syllabus is the same as established in "Karate-do Kyohan" with the addition of Gigo Funakoshi's staff kata Matsukaze No Kon. When the JKA was formed, Nakayama laid down 27 kata (26 mainly practised throughout most organisations) as the kata syllabus for this organisation. The standard JKA kata are: Taikyoku shodan (sometimes termed Kata Kihon or Kihon Kata,
1577-482: Is no single "Shotokan school", although they all bear Funakoshi's influence. As the most widely practiced style, Shotokan is considered a traditional and influential form of karate do. Shotokan was the name of the first official dojo built by Gichin Funakoshi, in 1936 at Mejiro , and destroyed in 1945 as a result of the Tokyo air raids . Shoto ( 松涛 , Shōtō ) , meaning "pine-waves" (the movement of pine needles when
1660-452: Is prohibited. (2) The possession of weapons owned privately by princes, three magistrates, and samurai is permitted. (3) Weapons must be repaired in Satsuma through the magistrate's office of Satsuma. (4) Swords must be reported to the magistrate's office of Satsuma for approval." It did not prohibit the possession of weapons (except guns) or even their practice. In fact, even after subjugation to
1743-550: Is said that in 1392 a group of professional people known as the " Thirty-six families from Min " migrated to Kume Village (now Kume, Naha City) in Naha from Fujian Province in the Ming Dynasty at that time. They brought with them advanced learning and skills to Ryukyu, and there is a theory that Chinese kenpō, the origin of karate, was also brought to Ryukyu at this time. There is also the " Keichō import theory," which states that karate
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#17328481042871826-467: Is said to have been marked by his kicking foot. It is known that in "Ōshima Writing" (1762), written by Yoshihiro Tobe, a Confucian scholar of the Tosa Domain , who interviewed Ryukyuan samurai who had drifted to Tosa (present-day Kōchi Prefecture ), there is a description of a martial art called kumiai-jutsu ( 組合術 ) performed by Kōshōkun (Okinawan:Kūsankū). It is believed that Kōshōkun may have been
1909-484: Is sometimes referred to as "the Grandfather of Modern Karate." In 1881, Higaonna Kanryō returned from China after years of instruction with Ryu Ryu Ko and founded what would become Naha-te . One of his students was the founder of Gojū-ryū , Chōjun Miyagi . Chōjun Miyagi taught such well-known karateka as Seko Higa (who also trained with Higaonna), Meitoku Yagi , Miyazato Ei'ichi , and Seikichi Toguchi , and for
1992-502: Is the Chinese Pinyin notation of 平安; when Gichin Funakoshi brought karate to Japan , he spelt the kata name as Heian , which is the onyomi of 平安. Pinan or Heian means "peaceful and safe". Korean Tang Soo Do , one of 5 original kwan of Korea, also practice these kata; they are termed, "Pyong-an" or "Pyung-Ahn", which is a Korean pronunciation of the term "ping-an". According to Motobu Chōki , one of Ankō Itosu's early students,
2075-587: Is the most realistic practice in Shotokan Karate, and that it is more realistic than free sparring. Free sparring (or free style) ( jiyu kumite ) is the last element of sparring learned. In this exercise, two training partners are free to use any karate technique or combination of attacks, and the defender at any given moment is free to avoid, block, counter, or attack with any karate technique. Training partners are encouraged to make controlled and focused contact with their opponent, but to withdraw their attack as soon as surface contact has been made. This allows attacking
2158-496: Is the practical application of kihon and kata to real opponents. The formalities of kumite in Shotokan karate were first instituted by Masatoshi Nakayama wherein basic, intermediate, and advanced sparring techniques and rules were formalised. Shotokan practitioners first learn how to apply the techniques taught in kata to hypothetical opponents by way of kata bunkai . Kata bunkai then matures into controlled kumite . Kumite
2241-455: Is the third part of the Shotokan triumvirate of kihon, kata and kumite . Kumite is taught in ever increasing complexity from beginner through low grade blackbelt (1st – 2nd) to intermediate (3rd – 4th) and advanced (5th onwards) level practitioners. Beginners first learn kumite through basic drills, of one, three or five attacks to the head ( jodan ) or body ( chudan ) with the defender stepping backwards whilst blocking and only countering on
2324-449: Is thought to refer to te , not today's karate, and Ankō Asato introduces Kyō Ahagon as a "prominent martial artist." However, some believe that Kyō Ahagon's anecdote is a half-legend and that it is unclear whether he was actually a te master. In the 18th century, the names of Nishinda Uēkata , Gushikawa Uēkata , and Chōken Makabe are known as masters of te . Nishinda Uēkata and Gushikawa Uēkata were martial artists active during
2407-531: Is unknown if they taught karate to the Japanese in Tokyo, although there are records that Kyan taught his son karate. In 1908, students from the Okinawa Prefectural Middle School gave a karate demonstration at Butokuden in Kyoto, which was also witnessed by Kanō Jigorō (founder of judo). In May 1922, Gichin Funakoshi (founder of Shotokan ) presented pictures of karate on two hanging scrolls at
2490-412: Is used in many martial arts that survived Japan's transition from feudal culture to modern times . It implies that these arts are not just fighting systems but contain spiritual elements when promoted as disciplines. In this context dō is usually translated as "the way of …". Examples include aikido , judo, kyūdō and kendo . Thus karatedō is more than just empty hand techniques. It is "the way of
2573-536: Is usually divided into three parts: kihon (basics), kata (forms or patterns of moves), and kumite (sparring). Techniques in kihon and kata are characterised by deep, long stances that provide stability, enable powerful movements, and strengthen the legs. Shotokan is regarded as a dynamic martial art as it develops anaerobic, powerful techniques as well as developing speed. Initially strength and power are demonstrated instead of slower, more flowing motions. Those who progress to brown and black belt level develop
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2656-626: The Pin'an forms (" Heian " in Japanese) which are simplified kata for beginning students. In 1905, Itosu helped to get karate introduced into Okinawa's public schools. These forms were taught to children at the elementary school level. Itosu's influence in karate is broad. The forms he created are common across nearly all styles of karate. His students became some of the most well-known karate masters, including Motobu Chōyū , Motobu Chōki , Yabu Kentsū , Hanashiro Chōmo , Gichin Funakoshi and Kenwa Mabuni . Itosu
2739-526: The Japan Karate Association (JKA). Within these twenty principles, based heavily on bushido and Zen , lies the philosophy of Shotokan. The principles allude to notions of humility, respect, compassion, patience, and both an inward and outward calmness. It was Funakoshi's belief that through karate practice and observation of these 20 principles, the karateka would improve their person. The dōjō kun lists five philosophical rules for training in
2822-635: The Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs ) claims that karate has 50 million practitioners worldwide, while the World Karate Federation claims there are 100 million practitioners around the world. Originally in Okinawa during the Ryukyu Kingdom period, there existed an indigenous Ryukyuan martial art called te (Okinawan: tī , lit. ' hand ' ). Furthermore, in the 19th century,
2905-486: The Taishō era (1912–1926), karate was introduced to mainland Japan by Gichin Funakoshi and Motobu Chōki . The ultranationalistic sentiment of the 1930s affected every aspect of Japanese culture. To make the imported martial art more relatable, Funakoshi incorporated elements from judo , such as the training uniforms, colored belts, and ranking systems. Karate's popularity was initially sluggish with little exposition but when
2988-750: The logogram pronounced kara by replacing the Chinese character meaning "Tang dynasty" with the character meaning "empty" took place in Karate Kumite ( 空手組手 ) written in August 1905 by Chōmo Hanashiro (1869–1945). In mainland Japan, karate ( 空手 , empty hand) gradually began to be used from the writings of Gichin Funakoshi and Motobu Chōki in the 1920s. In 1929 the Karate Study Group of Keio University (Instructor Gichin Funakoshi) used this term in reference to
3071-639: The 18th century. In 1609, the Japanese Satsuma Domain invaded Ryukyu and Ryukyu became its vassal state, but it continued to pay tribute to the Ming and Qing Dynasties in China. At the time, China had implemented a policy of sea ban and only traded with tributary countries, so the Satsuma Domain wanted Ryukyu to continue its tribute to benefit from it. The envoys of the tribute mission were chosen from among
3154-414: The 1960s and 1970s served to greatly increase the popularity of martial arts around the world, and English-speakers began to use the word karate in a generic way to refer to all striking-based Asian martial arts . Karate schools ( dōjōs ) began appearing around the world, catering to those with casual interest as well as those seeking a deeper study of the art. Karate, like other Japanese martial arts,
3237-492: The Japanese Satsuma Domain and had become its vassal state since 1609, but was formally annexed to the Empire of Japan in 1879 as Okinawa Prefecture . The Ryukyuan samurai ( Okinawan : samurē ) who had been the bearers of karate lost their privileged position, and with it, karate was in danger of losing transmission. However, karate gradually regained popularity after 1905, when it began to be taught in schools in Okinawa. During
3320-529: The Okinawan culture and Funakoshi's philosophies. However, many schools of JKA (Japan Karate Association) affiliated with Shotokan Karate used the full terminology on a daily basis, providing translations also. For example, the KUI (Karate Union of Ireland), utilises the full and proper Japanese name for each move and kata in training, grading and competition. Rank is used in karate to indicate experience, expertise, and to
3403-560: The Okinawan kata names easier to pronounce in the Japanese Honshū dialect. In 1924, Funakoshi adopted the Kyū / Dan rank system and the uniform ( keikogi ) developed by Kano Jigoro , the founder of judo . This system uses colored belts ( obi ) to indicate rank. Originally, karate had only three belt colors: white, brown, and black (with ranks within each). The original belt system, still used by many Shotokan schools, is: Funakoshi awarded
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3486-504: The Pinan forms to Heian forms, introducing his version of Kushanku (actually renamed Kanku Dai). The 5 kata were Pinans Shodan, Nidan, Sandan, Yondan, and Godan. The Pinans are taught to various beginner ranks according to their difficulty. The kata are all loosely based on an I-shaped embusen or shape. These kata serve as the foundation to many of the advanced kata within Karate, as many of
3569-449: The Pinan kata was created by Itosu and was originally called Channan ( チャンナン ) and had slightly different movements. When Motobu asked Itosu about this point in his later years, Itosu replied, "The form is somewhat different from those days, but now I have decided on the form as it was performed by the students. Everyone preferred the name Pinan, so I followed the young people's opinion." Since Motobu (b. 1870) began studying under Itosu at
3652-416: The Satsuma Domain in 1609. Through the two policies, the popular belief that Ryukyuan samurai, who were deprived of their weapons, developed karate to compete with Satsuma's samurai has traditionally been referred to as if it were a historical fact. But in recent years many researchers have questioned the causal relationship between the policy of banning weapons and the development of karate. For example, as
3735-495: The Satsuma Domain, a number of Ryukyuan masters of swordsmanship, spearmanship, archery, and other arts are known. Therefore, some researchers criticize the theory that karate developed due to the policy of banning weapons as "a rumor on the street with no basis at all." Karate began as a common fighting system known as te (Okinawan: tī ) among the Ryukyuan samurai class. There were few formal styles of te, but rather many practitioners with their own methods. One surviving example
3818-545: The Showa era (1926–1989), other Okinawan karate masters also came to mainland Japan to teach karate. These included Kenwa Mabuni , Chōjun Miyagi , Kanken Tōyama , and Kanbun Uechi . Heian series The Pinan ( 平安 ) kata are a series of five empty hand forms taught in many karate styles. The Pinan kata originated in Okinawa and were adapted by Anko Itosu from older kata such as Kusanku and Channan into forms suitable for teaching karate to young students. Pinan
3901-667: The age of 12 ( East Asian age reckoning ), this means that the Channan was already in existence by the 1880s. The name "Pinan" was suggested by students of the former Okinawa Prefectural First Middle School (now Shuri High School) or Okinawa Prefectural Normal School, where Itosu was a karate instructor at the time, and was adopted by Itosu. The Channan is now lost, but some believe that the Motobu-ryū 's "Shirokuma" ( 白熊 , lit. ' white bear ' ) kata may be Channan because of its similarity to Pinan. The Pinan kata were introduced into
3984-674: The attack. Unlike freestyle one-step sparring, however, the attacker may then be required to block the defender's counter-attack and strike back. This exercise is often considered more difficult than either freestyle one-step sparring or free sparring, as the defender typically cannot escape to a safe distance in time to avoid the counter to the counter-attack. Kumite within the dojo often differs from competition kumite . In dojo kumite any and all techniques, within reason, are valid; punches, knife hand strikes, headbutt, locks, takedowns, kicks, etc. In competition certain regulations apply, certain techniques are valid, and certain target areas, such as
4067-426: The basis for King Shō Shin's policy of banning weapons, an inscription on the parapet of the main hall of Shuri Castle ( 百浦添欄干之銘 , 1509), which states that "swords, bows and arrows are to be piled up exclusively as weapons of national defense," has been conventionally interpreted as meaning "weapons were collected and sealed in a warehouse." However, in recent years, researchers of Okinawan studies have pointed out that
4150-453: The concept of emptiness in the Heart Sutra , and this terminology was later popularized, especially in Tokyo. There is also a theory that the background for this name change was the worsening of Japan-China relations at the time. On 25 October 1936 a roundtable meeting of karate masters was held in Naha, Okinawa Prefecture, and it was officially resolved to use the name karate (empty hand) in
4233-492: The correct interpretation is that "swords, bows and arrows were collected and used as weapons of the state." It is also known that the policy of banning weapons (a 1613 notice to the Ryukyu royal government), which is said to have been implemented by the Satsuma Domain, only prohibited the carrying of swords and other weapons, but not their possession, and was a relatively lax regulation. This notice stated, "(1) The possession of guns
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#17328481042874316-416: The decline of Okinawa-te . Around 1905, when karate began to be taught in public schools in Okinawa, tōde was read kun’yomi and called karate ( 唐手 , lit. ' Tang hand ' ) in the Japanese style. Both tōde and karate are written in the same Chinese characters meaning "Tang/China hand," but the former is on'yomi (Chinese reading) and the latter is kun'yomi (Japanese reading). Since
4399-490: The defender to execute a counter-attack faster than in the earlier types of sparring. Counter-attacks may be almost anything, including strikes, grapples, and take-down manoeuvres. Some schools prescribe the defences, most notably the Kase-ha Shotokan-ryū, which uses an eight step, three directional blocking and attacking pattern, which develops from yellow belt level through to advanced level. The next level of kumite
4482-410: The development of unarmed combat techniques in Ryukyu has conventionally been attributed to a policy of banning weapons, which is said to have been implemented on two occasions. The first was during the reign of King Shō Shin (1476–1526; r. 1477–1527), when weapons were collected from all over the country and strictly controlled by the royal government. The second time was after the invasion of Ryukyu by
4565-445: The distinction between Okinawa-te and tōde was already blurred at that time, karate was used to encompass both. "Kara (から)" is a kun’yomi for the character "唐" (tō/とう in on'yomi ) which is derived from " Gaya Confederacy (加羅)" and later included things deriving from China (specifically from the Tang dynasty ). Therefore, tōde and karate (Tang hand) differ in the scope of meaning of
4648-515: The dojo: seek perfection of character, be faithful, endeavor to excel, respect others, and refrain from violent behaviour. These rules are called the Five Maxims of Karate. The dōjō kun is usually posted on a wall in the dojo, and some shotokan clubs recite the dōjō kun at the beginning and/or end of each class to provide motivation and a context for further training. Funakoshi also wrote: "The ultimate aim of Karate lies not in victory or defeat, but in
4731-420: The early modern era, when China was highly revered, many martial artists traveled to China to practice Chinese kenpo, and added it to the ancient kenpo, the so-called 'Okinawa-te'. After further study, they discarded the disadvantages of both, adopted their advantages, and added more subtlety, and karate was born." Early styles of karate are often generalized as Shuri-te , Naha-te , and Tomari-te , named after
4814-451: The empty hand". Since the 1980s the term karate ( カラテ ) has been written in katakana instead of Chinese characters, mainly by Kyokushin Karate (founder: Masutatsu Oyama ). In Japan, katakana is mainly used for foreign words, giving Kyokushin Karate a modern and new impression. There are several theories regarding the origins of karate, but the main ones are as follows. In Okinawa there
4897-402: The first 1st dan (初段; shodan ) Shotokan karate ranks to Tokuda, Hironori Ōtsuka (Otsuka), Akiba, Shimizu, Hirose, Makoto Gima, and Shinyō Kasuya on 10 April 1924. Karate Karate ( 空手 ) ( / k ə ˈ r ɑː t i / ; Japanese pronunciation: [kaɾate] ; Okinawan pronunciation: [kaɽati] ), also karate-do ( 空手道 , Karate-dō ) ,
4980-462: The first Physical Education Exhibition in Tokyo. The following June, Funakoshi was invited to the Kodokan to give a karate demonstration in front of Jigoro Kano and other judo experts. This was the beginning of the full-scale introduction of karate in Tokyo. In November 1922, Motobu Chōki (founder of Motobu-ryū ) participated in a judo versus boxing match in Kyoto, defeating a foreign boxer. The match
5063-399: The joints or throat, are forbidden. The purpose of competition is to score points through the application of kumite principles while creating an exciting and competitive atmosphere, whereas the purpose of training kumite in the dojo is to be prepared to kill or cripple an opponent in a realistic situation. Gichin Funakoshi had trained in both of the popular styles of Okinawan karate of
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#17328481042875146-431: The last defence. These drills use basic ( kihon ) techniques and develop a sense of timing and distance in defence against a known attack. At around purple belt level karateka learn one-step sparring ( ippon kumite ). Though there is only one step involved, rather than three or five, this exercise is more advanced because it involves a greater variety of attacks and blocks usually the defenders own choice. It also requires
5229-481: The looming threat of a full-scale war between the two countries. In 1933, the Japanese character for karate was altered to a homophone— a word pronounced identically but with a different meaning. Thus, "Chinese hand" was replaced with "empty hand." But this name change did not immediately spread among Okinawan karate practitioners. There were many karate practitioners, such as Chōjun Miyagi , who still used te in everyday conversation until World War II. When karate
5312-664: The name has been discontinued in some Shotokan dojos) (太極初段), Heian shodan (平安初段), Heian nidan (平安二段), Heian sandan (平安三段), Heian yondan (平安四段), Heian godan (平安五段), Bassai dai (披塞大), Jion (慈恩), Enpi (燕飛), Kanku dai (観空大), Hangetsu (半月), Jitte (十手), Gankaku (岩鶴), Tekki shodan (鉄騎初段), Tekki nidan (鉄騎二段), Tekki sandan (鉄騎三段), Nijūshiho (二十四步), Chinte (珍手), Sōchin (壯鎭), Meikyō/Rōhai (明鏡), Unsu (雲手), Bassai shō (披塞小), Kankū shō (観空小), Wankan (王冠), Gojūshiho shō (五十四歩小), Gojūshiho dai (五十四歩大), and Ji'in (慈陰). Kumite , or sparring (lit. Meeting of hands),
5395-405: The perfection of the character of the participant." Many terms used in karate stem from Japanese culture. While many are names (e.g. Heian , Gankaku ), others are exclusive to martial arts (e.g. kata , kumite ). Many terms are seldom used in daily life, such as zenkutsu dachi , while others appear routinely, such as rei . The Japanese form is often retained in schools outside Japan to preserve
5478-421: The reign of King Shō Kei (reigned 1713–1751). Nishinda Uēkata was good at spear as well as te , and Gushikawa Uēkata was also good at wooden sword (swordsmanship). Chōken Makabe was a man of the late 18th century. His light stature and jumping ability gave him the nickname "Makabe Chān-gwā " ( lit. ' little fighting cock ' ), as he was like a chān (fighting cock). The ceiling of his house
5561-482: The reign of King Shō Kei, was a monk who went to the Qing Dynasty to study Chinese martial arts and was reportedly one of the best martial artists of his time in Ryukyu. It is not known when the name tōde ( 唐手 , lit. ' Tang hand ' ) first came into use in the Ryukyu Kingdom, but according to Ankō Asato, it was popularized from Kanga Sakugawa (1786–1867), who was nicknamed "Tōde Sakugawa." Sakugawa
5644-627: The samurai class of Ryukyu, and they went to Fuzhou in Fujian and stayed there for six months to a year and a half. Government-funded and privately funded foreign students were also sent to study in Beijing or Fuzhou for several years. Some of these envoys and students studied Chinese martial arts in China. The styles of Chinese martial arts they studied are not known for certain, but it is assumed that they studied Fujian White Crane and other styles from Fujian Province. Sōryo Tsūshin (monk Tsūshin), active during
5727-483: The school systems on Okinawa in 1895, and were subsequently adopted by many teachers and schools in the 1900s. Thus, they are present today in the curriculum of Shitō-ryū , Wadō-ryū , Shōrin-ryū , Kobayashi-ryū , Kyokushin , Seido Juku , Shinki-Ryu , Shōrei-ryū , Shotojuku , Shotokan , Matsubayashi-ryū , Shukokai , Shindo Jinen Ryu , Kosho-ryū Kempo, Kenyu Ryu, Kushin Ryu and several other styles. Funakoshi modified
5810-483: The sense of kūshu kūken ( 空手空拳 , lit. ' without anything in the hands or fists ' ). To commemorate this day, the Okinawa Prefectural Assembly passed a resolution in 2005 to decide 25 October as "Karate Day." Another nominal development is the addition of dō ( 道 ; どう ) to the end of the word karate. Dō is a suffix having numerous meanings including road, path, route and way. It
5893-489: The techniques contained in these kata are contained in the higher grade katas as well, especially Kusanku . In certain styles, Pinan Shodan and Pinan Nidan are inverted - what certain styles call Pinan Shodan is what others call Heian Nidan, and vice versa . For example, the kata Shotokan calls Heian Shodan, other styles, such as Shitō-ryū call Pinan Nidan . Another point to note is that Shūkōkai teaches Pinan Nidan first, and Pinan Shodan second, believing Pinan Nidan to be
5976-437: The theme of gedan barai — oi tsuki , and performing three oi tsuki by following the known "H" pattern or Embusen . Kata is often described as a set sequence of karate moves organised into a pre-arranged fight against imaginary opponents. The kata consists of kicks, punches, sweeps, strikes and blocks. Body movement in various kata includes stepping, twisting, turning, dropping to the ground, and jumping. In Shotokan, kata
6059-490: The three cities from which they emerged. Each area and its teachers had particular kata, techniques, and principles that distinguished their local version of te from the others. Around the 1820s, Matsumura Sōkon (1809–1899) began teaching Okinawa-te . Matsumura was, according to one theory, a student of Sakugawa. Matsumura's style later became the origin of many Shuri-te schools. Itosu Ankō (1831–1915) studied under Matsumura and Bushi Nagahama of Naha-te . He created
6142-470: The time: Shōrei-ryū and Shōrin-ryū . After years of study in both styles, Funakoshi created a simpler system that combined the ideals of the two. He never named this system, however, always referring to it simply as "karate." Funakoshi's karate reflects the changes made in the art by Ankō Itosu , including the Heian/Pinan kata series. Funakoshi changed the names of some of the kata in an effort to make
6225-520: The university clubs and outside dojos , who continued to teach karate after his death in 1957. However, internal disagreements (in particular the notion that competition is contrary to the essence of karate) led to the creation of different organisations—including an initial split between the Japan Karate Association (headed by Masatoshi Nakayama ) and the Shotokai (headed by Motonobu Hironishi and Shigeru Egami ), followed by many others—so that today there
6308-452: The wind blows through them), was Funakoshi's pen-name, which he used in his poetic and philosophical writings and messages to his students. The Japanese kan ( 館 , kan ) means "house" or "hall". In honour of their sensei, Funakoshi's students created a sign reading shōtō-kan , which they placed above the entrance of the hall where Funakoshi taught. Gichin Funakoshi never gave his system a name, just calling it karate . Shotokan training
6391-591: The words. Japan sent envoys to the Tang dynasty and introduced much Chinese culture. Gichin Funakoshi proposed that tōde /karate may have been used instead of te , as Tang became a synonym for luxury imported goods. According to Gichin Funakoshi, the word pronounced karate ( から手 ) existed in the Ryukyu Kingdom period, but it is unclear whether it meant Tang hand ( 唐手 ) or empty hand ( 空手 ) . The Chinese origins of karate were increasingly viewed with suspicion due to rising tensions between China and Japan and as well as
6474-523: Was a leading figure of Chinese Nanpa Shorin-ken style at that time. He later developed his own style of Uechi-ryū karate based on the Sanchin , Seisan , and Sanseiryu kata that he had studied in China. When Shō Tai , the last king of the Ryūkyū Kingdom, was ordered to move to Tokyo in 1879, he was accompanied by prominent karate masters such as Ankō Asato and Chōfu Kyan (father of Chōtoku Kyan ). It
6557-466: Was a samurai from Shuri who traveled to Qing China to learn Chinese martial arts. The martial arts he mastered were new and different from te. As tōde was spread by Sakugawa, traditional te became distinguished as Okinawa-te ( 沖縄手 , lit. ' Okinawa hand ' ), and gradually faded away as it merged with tōde . It is generally believed that today's karate is a result of the synthesis of te ( Okinawa-te ) and tōde . Funakoshi writes, "In
6640-435: Was an ancient martial dance called mēkata ( 舞方 ). The dancers danced to the accompaniment of songs and sanshin music, similar to karate kata. In the Okinawan countryside, mēkata remained until the early 20th century. There is a theory that from this mēkata with martial elements, te (Okinawan: tī , hand) was born and developed into karate. This theory is advocated by Ankō Asato and his student Gichin Funakoshi. It
6723-459: Was brought to Ryukyu after the invasion of Ryukyu by the Satsuma Domain (Keichō 14, 1609), as well as the theory that it was introduced by Kōshōkun (Okinawan: Kūsankū) based on the description in Ōshima Writing . There are also other theories, such as that it developed from Okinawan sumo ( shima ) or that it originated from jujutsu , which had been introduced from Japan. The reason for
6806-503: Was featured in Japan's largest magazine " King ," which had a circulation of about one million at the time, and karate and Motobu's name became instantly known throughout Japan. In 1922, Funakoshi published the first book on karate, and in 1926 Motobu published the first technical book on kumite. As karate's popularity grew, karate clubs were established one after another in Japanese universities with Funakoshi and Motobu as instructors. In
6889-410: Was first taught in mainland Japan in the 1920s, Gichin Funakoshi and Motobu Chōki used the name karate-jutsu ( 唐手術 , lit. ' Tang hand art ' ) along with karate. The word jutsu ( 術 ) means art or technique, and in those days it was often used as a suffix to the name of each martial art, as in jujutsu and kenjutsu (swordsmanship). The first documented use of a homophone of
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