Karate

[Wolf Nightshade]

Karate History

Most Western students of Asian martial arts, if they have done any research on the subject at all, will surely have come across references to Bodhidharma. He is known as "Daruma" in Japan and as often as not, this Indian Buddhist monk is cited as the prime source for all martial arts styles or at the very least, for any style which traces its roots back to the fabled Shaolin Temple. However, the question of his contributions to the martial arts and to Zen Buddhism and even of his very existence has been a matter of controversy among historians and martial arts scholars for many years (Spiessbach,1992).

As legend has it, the evolution of karate began over a thousand years ago, possibly as early as the fifth century BC when Bodhidharma arrived in Shaolin-si (small forest temple), China from India and taught Zen Buddhism. He also introduced a systematized set of exercises designed to strengthen the mind and body, exercises which allegedly marked the beginning of the Shaolin style of temple boxing. Bodhidharma's teachings later became the basis for the majority of Chinese martial arts. In truth, the origins of karate appear to be somewhat obscure and little is known about the early development of karate until it appeared in Okinawa.

Okinawa is a small island of the group that comprises modern day Japan. It is the main island in the chain of Ryuku Islands which spans from Japan to Taiwan. Surrounded by coral, Okinawa is approximately 10 km (6 mi) wide and only about 110 km (less than 70 mi) long. It is situated 740 km (400 nautical mi) east of mainland China, 550 km (300 nautical miles) south of mainland Japan and an equal distance north of Taiwan. Being at the crossroads of major trading routes, its significance as a "resting spot" was first discovered by the Japanese. It later developed as a trade center for southeastern Asia, trading with Japan, China, Indo China, Thailand, Malaysia, Borneo and the Philippines.
In its earliest stages, the martial art known as "karate" was an indigenous form of closed fist fighting which was developed in Okinawa and called Te, or 'hand'. Weapons bans, imposed on the Okinawans at various points in their history, encouraged the refinement of empty-hand techniques and, for this reason, was trained in secret until modern times. Further refinement came with the influence of other martial arts brought by nobles and trade merchants to the island.

Te continued to develop over the years, primarily in three Okinawan cities: Shuri, Naha and Tomari. Each of these towns was a center to a different sect of society: kings and nobles, merchants and business people, and farmers and fishermen, respectively. For this reason, different forms of self-defense developed within each city and subsequently became known as Shuri-te, Naha-te and Tomari-te. Collectively they were called Okinawa-Te or Tode, 'Chinese hand'. Gradually, karate was divided into two main groups: Shorin-ryu which developed around Shuri and Tomari and Shorei-ryu which came from the Naha area. "It is important to note, however, that the towns of Shuri, Tomari, Naha are only a few miles apart, and that the differences between their arts were essentially ones of emphasis, not of kind. Beneath these surface differences, both the methods and aims of all Okinawan karate are one in the same" (Howard, 1991). Gichin Funakoshi goes further to suggest that these two styles were developed based on different physical requirements Funakoshi, 1935). Shorin-ryu was quick and linear with natural breathing while Shorei-ryu emphasized steady, rooted movements with breathing in synchrony with each movement. Interestingly, this concept of two basic styles also exist in kung-fu with a similar division of characteristics (Wong, 197 cool .

The Chinese character used to write Tode could also be pronounced 'kara' thus the name Te was replaced with kara te - jutsu or 'Chinese hand art' by the Okinawan Masters. This was later changed to karate-do by Gichin Funakoshi who adopted an alternate meaning for the Chinese character for kara, 'empty'. From this point on the term karate came to mean 'empty hand'. The Do in karate-do means 'way' or 'path', and is indicative of the discipline and philosophy of karate with moral and spiritual connotations.

The concept of Do has been prevalent since at least the days of the Okinawan Scholar Teijunsoku born in 1663, as this passage from a poem he wrote suggests:

No matter how you may excel in the art of te,
And in your scholastic endevours,
Nothing is more important than your behavior
And your humanity as observed in daily life.

(Nagamine,1976)

The first public demonstration of karate in Japan was in 1917 by Gichin Funakoshi, at the Butoku-den in Kyoto (Hassell 1984). This, and subsequent demonstrations, greatly impressed many Japanese, including the Crown-Prince Hirohito, who was very enthusiastic about the Okinawan art. In 1922, Dr. Jano Kano, founder of the Japanese art of Judo, invited Funakoshi to demonstrate at the famous Kodokan Dojo and to remain in Japan to teach karate. This sponsorship was instrumental in establishing a base for karate in Japan. As an Okinawan "peasant art," karate would have been scorned by the Japanese without the backing of so formidable a martial arts master (Maliszewski, 1992).

Today there are four main styles of karate-do in Japan: Goju-ryu, Shito-ryu, Shotokan, and Wado-ryu:

Goju-ryu developed out of Naha-te, its popularity primarily due to the success of Kanryo Higaonna (1853-1915). Higaonna opened a dojo in Naha using eight forms brought from China. His best student, Chojun Miyagi (1888-1953) later founded Goju-ryu, 'hard soft way' in 1930. In Goju-ryu much emphasis is placed on combining soft circular blocking techniques with quick strong counter attacks delivered in rapid succession.

Shito-ryu was founded by Kenwa Mabuni (1889-1952) in 1928 and was influenced directly by both Naha-te and Shuri-te. The name Shito is constructively derived from the combination of the Japanese characters of Mabuni's teachers' names - Ankoh Itosu and Kanryo Higaonna. Shito-ryu schools use a large number of kata, about fifty, and is characterized by an emphasis on power in the execution of techniques.

Shotokan was founded by Gichin Funakoshi (1868-1957) in Tokyo in 1938. Funakoshi is considered to be the founder of modern karate. Born in Okinawa, he began to study karate with Yasutsune Azato, one of Okinawa's greatest experts in the art. In 1921 Funakoshi first introduced Karate to Tokyo. In 1936, at nearly 70 years of age, he opened his own training hall. The dojo was called Shotokan after the pen name used by Funakoshi to sign poems written in his youth. Shotokan Karate is characterized by powerful linear techniques and deep strong stances.

Wado-ryu, 'way of harmony', founded in 1939 is a system of karate developed from jujitsu and karate by Hienori Otsuka as taught by one of his instructors, Gichin Funakoshi. This style of karate combines basic movements of jujitsu with techniques of evasion, putting a strong emphasis on softness and the way of harmony or spiritual discipline.  

[Wolf Nightshade]

http://www.shitokai.com/karatehistory.php  

[Wolf Nightshade]

Brief History of Karate

Karate (which means "emptyhand") had a long historical evolution which can be traced back some 1500 years through India, China, Okinawa and Japan. In the 15th century various Chinese fighting methods found their way to Okinawa Island and combined forces with the indigenous system of combat already in place in this mysterious island between China and Japan. In short, a new sophistication was added to the already deadly combat methods being practiced on Okinawa itself.

Because of the ban on weapons and the illegal gatherings of people to practice combat readiness, the martial arts of Okinawa Island was practiced in seclusion. This explains why there are not an abundance of written records to chart the history of karate perse, but the transmission of ideas and principles was from Master to student with very few people involved. It was not until the beginning of the 20th century that karate became accessible to the general public.

In 1917 Master Funakoshi traveled from his native Okinawa home to give the first karate demonstration in Japan. Later, in 1922 he gave another demonstration in Japan and remained there for the rest of his life. Having trained under the two leading karate experts on Okinawa Island, Master Azato and Master Itosu respectfully, Master Funakoshi found a new home for this evolving art form. The two diverse methods that were taught to him were combined into one discipline which became known as Shotokan Karate. "Shoto" was his pen name and "kan" means the house of. And so, Master Funakoshi became known as "the father of modern day karate." He was a Confucianist scholar who foresaw the cultural and social advantages of helping karatedo or the way of karate become a traditional fighting art of Japan. Master Funakoshi established Karate clubs throughout Japan's universities. Master Funakoshi was born in 1868 and died in 1957.

One of Master Funakoshi's last direct students, Tsutomu Ohshima, studied karate while attending Waseda University, in Tokyo. Karate was a natural progression for Mr. Ohshima, who had, by college entrance age, studied, for over half his lifetime three traditional Japanese martial arts...kendo, sumo and judo.

In his senior year Mr. Ohshima became the captain of the prestigious Waseda karate club and, consequently in 1952, was given the highest score on the allJapanese Sandan (third degree black belt) exam personally supervised by Master Funakoshi.

In 1955, Mr. Ohshima made his first trip to the United States to continue his education. Shortly after his enrollment at Los Angeles City College and prior to him attending the University of Southern California, his outstanding reputation as a karateman preceded him. While there, Mr. Ohshima was asked to teach karate to a handful of enthusiasts. Destiny had spoken. In January of 1956, the first practice was held at Denker Park and later that year shifted to the Konko Church in East Los Angeles. Shotokan Karate had just found a new home in a new land.

In 1995, Mr. Ohshima received a lifetime achievement award from the city of Los Angeles. This event led to a video tribute "Mr. Ohshima and the SKA: 40 Years in America."
The Benefits of Shotokan Karate

It has long been documented that training in karate as a martial art benefits the individual practitioner in many crucial and lifealtering ways. In short, a person who is committed to vigorous karate practice will mature on the mental, physical and spiritual level. Our traditional training method is designed to not only advance students toward physical selfreliance, but also to develop the student's character, inner worth, mental stability and emotional soundness.

These positive attributes will help our members learn how to defend themselves physically while becoming more accomplished individuals who make contributions to their respective communities. This is reflected by the professional success of many of our seniors holding key positions within industry, at universities, and as members of the National Academy of Sciences, sports, etc.

Shotokan Karate is an exquisite art form that links the past and future. Our art form affects the lives of over 10,000 men, women and children each year. Our traditional martial art method of individual selfdiscovery helps trainees live happy and productive lives. The lessons learned in the practice hall extend into everyday life for the initiated.

On the first page of our handout pamphlet, Master Funakoshi is quoted, "The ultimate aim of the art of karate lies not in victory or defeat, but in the perfection of the characters of its participants." On the back of the pamphlet, Mr. Ohshima says, "...karate training soon teaches that real strength is facing oneself strictly, with severe eyes. This is the first condition of martial arts training."
The Shotokan Ohshima Dojo

In 1980, our organization established a 20 year goal to build an international dojo. Since that time our members, foreign affiliates, friends and loyal supporters have collectively donated over two million dollars toward that effort. A mountainous region overlooking the Pacific Ocean near Santa Barbara became the chosen site.

The Grand opening for the Shotokan Ohshima Dojo was celebrated during August 2000. This new "center" was aptly named after the "shihan" or chief instructor of the S.K.A., a position held by Mr. Ohshima since 1955.

Here, men, women, and children come from all over the world to practice and advance their knowledge of our discipline. Regular classes are held for all ranks, ages, women, kids and specialty classes for particular aspects of our art...building blocks for the future. Since its inception, more and more classes are being offered to our members. Mr. Ohshima teaches a majority of these classes.

While basic costs are met through annual paid memberships, we are seeking additional support in the amount of approximately $100,000 per year for general maintenance, new programs and expansion. Passing on knowledge to future generations is essential in the martial arts.

The center is a rallying point for the people in our organization...it is a representation and symbol of what can be achieved when people work together for one common goal. Here, for years to come, each generation will gain the experience necessary to pass on the traditional teachings of the Shotokan School to the younger students, who will, in turn, mature and then give back to yet the younger ones coming up. The result: more knowledge and wisdom will be imparted to more people who will become better adults. Hopefully this process will continue.
Outside Support

During the final stages of development in Santa Barbara, our group foresaw the advantages of reaching out to all types of business organizations to ask for financial support. Our requests for funding has taken on two distinct forms: General Operating Support (G.O.S.) and Capital Campaign. General Operating Support would help us support our organization and its need to modernize, become more efficient, hire more personnel and general improvements. Our Capital Campaign was designed to revolve around maintaining and general upkeep of the center. Additional funding would give us more options to provide more opportunities for growth.

Right now, we have established a priority to maintain the long-term objectives of the Shotokan Ohshima Dojo. All contributions currently made will go toward that end.

In 1945, the first official Shotokan Dojo in Mejiro, near Tokyo was destroyed as a result of allied bombing...the ravages of war! It took over 50 years for another opportunity to arise. Now, our heritage continues on opposite sides of the Pacific... the power of peace and goodwill! This brings us up to the Unity 2006 Celebration!
The 2006 Celebration Called "Unity"

In 2006, SKA members around the world will come to celebrate 50 years of Shotokan Karate being taught in the United States under the guidance of Mr. Ohshima along with his 75th birthday during the month of August.

In 1990, members from around the world traveled to Santa Barbara and participated in Harmony, the most well attended world event in our history up to that date. It was a benchmark halfway milestone toward the finalization of the Shotokan Ohshima Dojo. Practices were held at the University of Santa Barbara and our attending members stayed in hotels, motels and homes of friends. All of our members socialized, dined together and became acquainted with our brothers and sisters from all corners of the globe. On the serious side, Yodan and Godan (fourth and fifth degree black belts) tests were conducted. This set the stage for future Shotokan world gatherings.

A decade later, in 2000, we celebrated the Grand Opening Ceremony of The Shotokan Ohshima Dojo. As an organization we had arrived; our 20 year project was completed. Like before, there were group practices, friendly competition between countries, a fifth degree black belt exam, fine dining, barbecues and socializing.

Now that we have built on these events, Unity 2006 promises to be the biggest and the best yet. More people from around the world are likely to attend this event than ever before, including our members, affiliates and other organizations. During this celebration, we will pay tribute to Mr. Ohshima's 50 year contribution to Shotokan Karate along with his 75th birthday. Literally, all of Mr. Ohshima's students have been profoundly influenced by his philosophies, his life time example, his technical guidance and his sacrifices.

Mr. Ohshima began teaching in Los Angeles in the mid 1950's with a handful of loyal followers and now there are over 3,000 black belts in our organization. He has influenced thousands of people not only in the fundamentals of karate but the connection between karate and everyday life. He has traveled the world many times over to teach karate and now all of us will make the journey to Santa Barbara to honor him for this once-in-a-life-time celebration.

In August of every year since 1957 our organization has sponsored a karate tournament and demonstration at the annual Nisei Week Festival, in Los Angeles. Before Harmony and The Grand Opening Ceremony, visitors from outofstate and from other countries together came to Los Angeles a week early to view or participate in the Nisei Week event. This gave outoftowners a chance to see the sites in Southern California, visit friends and fit in a few practices at one of our local dojos before making the long anticipated ride along the coast to Santa Barbara. More SKA members, supporters and loyal friends will make this trek in 2006.

Video releases were made available for the event surrounding Harmony, the life and times of Mr. Ohshima entitled, "Mr. Ohshima and the SKA: 40 years in America," and coverage of the Grand Opening Ceremony in 2000. A video release is also planned for Unity 2006. Plans are underway to eventually store all videos, books, magazines, and SKA Newsletters in the Legacy Library on the ground floor of the Shotokan Ohshima Dojo.
Closing Thoughts

Your financial support makes a positive statement: you will give our art form the boost it needs to reach current members and new generations of young adults searching for a method of self expression. Our Santa Barbara facility is the beginning of something new for us, not an endgoal. Here at the center, students worldwide meet, study and advance their knowledge and leadership to passon the art and culture of Shotokan Karate to future generations in the 21 Century.

We thank you for your thoughtful consideration and look forward to adding you to our growing list of supporters and extended family. Please download, print-out and complete our contribution form and mail it to:

SKA Headquarters, 222 S. Hewitt St., Room 7, Los Angeles, CA 90012. You may also reach us by phone at 213-437-0988 or contact us by email at SKAHQ@earthlink.net.

All contributions to Shotokan Karate of America qualify as a tax deduction (see copy of IRS determination letter). If you would like to talk with a representative, please contact Christopher Hunt at 818-3466042. Christopher Hunt is the author of this fundraising article.

© 2006 Shotokan Karate of America. All rights reserved.
http://www.ska.org/index.php?p=91  

[demon -eyes- kyo]

if i may add to the stuff about goju, the more basic blocks are hard while the later open handed ones are soft, just like with strikes the more basic ones are hard and later one you learn softer things that are soft, the soft also comes from miyagi emphasizing falling softly so if you are victim of a sweep or throw you wont get the wind knocked out of you and it wont hurt quited so bad  

[Mangafairy]

Yes I do Budokan Traditional Karate which is a mix of many martial arts, karate and aikedo, If I may add that before it was empty hand it meant Tang or Chinese hand, and when the Chinese characters were translated the Japanese changed it to mean empty hand. smile Luving Karate!!!!!!  

[sailor_moon_luver]

I train in Goju on and off. I may start up again soon. I can't wait. heart
You did your research well. Good job. 3nodding  

[Wolf Nightshade]

Any one who knows Karate can add as much as they want to the page.

Most don't understand that Karate is not traditonaly Japanese it's Okinawan. Okinawa was not part of Japan untel later so Karate is a mix of Okinawan martial arts and some Chinese styles that were added to it. as some already know the meaning of the name changed as has been said.  

[Mangafairy]

Wolf3001

Any one who knows Karate can add as much as they want to the page.

Most don't understand that Karate is not traditonaly Japanese it's Okinawan. Okinawa was not part of Japan untel later so Karate is a mix of Okinawan martial arts and some Chinese styles that were added to it. as some already know the meaning of the name changed as has been said.

biggrin I TOTALLY AGREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  

[demon -eyes- kyo]

Mangafairy

Yes I do Budokan Traditional Karate which is a mix of many martial arts, karate and aikedo, If I may add that before it was empty hand it meant Tang or Chinese hand, and when the Chinese characters were translated the Japanese changed it to mean empty hand. smile Luving Karate!!!!!!

no offence but how is it called traditional karate if its a mix of styles?  

[Mangafairy]

demon -eyes- kyo

Mangafairy

Yes I do Budokan Traditional Karate which is a mix of many martial arts, karate and aikedo, If I may add that before it was empty hand it meant Tang or Chinese hand, and when the Chinese characters were translated the Japanese changed it to mean empty hand. smile Luving Karate!!!!!!

no offence but how is it called traditional karate if its a mix of styles?

It can be a mix of styles and still be a traditonal martial art, as with most martial-arts they can all be done as a sport. Mine is taught as a traditional martial-art, a non-sport aspect. We are taught real life and not how to get the most points in a compotition. We do theory and consequences.  

[Daakeer]

Mangafairy

demon -eyes- kyo

Mangafairy

Yes I do Budokan Traditional Karate which is a mix of many martial arts, karate and aikedo, If I may add that before it was empty hand it meant Tang or Chinese hand, and when the Chinese characters were translated the Japanese changed it to mean empty hand. smile Luving Karate!!!!!!

no offence but how is it called traditional karate if its a mix of styles?

It can be a mix of styles and still be a traditonal martial art, as with most martial-arts they can all be done as a sport. Mine is taught as a traditional martial-art, a non-sport aspect. We are taught real life and not how to get the most points in a compotition. We do theory and consequences.

You mean combative martial art.  

[Mangafairy]

CHEESE & WINE mmmmmmmm
cheese_whine  

[Mangafairy]

Daakeer

Mangafairy

demon -eyes- kyo

Mangafairy

Yes I do Budokan Traditional Karate which is a mix of many martial arts, karate and aikedo, If I may add that before it was empty hand it meant Tang or Chinese hand, and when the Chinese characters were translated the Japanese changed it to mean empty hand. smile Luving Karate!!!!!!

no offence but how is it called traditional karate if its a mix of styles?

It can be a mix of styles and still be a traditonal martial art, as with most martial-arts they can all be done as a sport. Mine is taught as a traditional martial-art, a non-sport aspect. We are taught real life and not how to get the most points in a compotition. We do theory and consequences.

You mean combative martial art.

Yep, not a sport, but traditional, so I suppose, yeah.  

[X chobits semomo X]

well shaolin kempo karate was founded by grandmaster fredrick J. villari. In the last 3 decades, his fighting style has become widely recognized and respected. His art traces its origin back over a thousand years to the shaolin temple of china. many of the basic methods are still used in his schools today. the present form has become famous because of its very effective "four ways of fighting".

Some evolutionary changes were necessary due to modern culture and the technological development of many different types of weapons.

people today are bigger, stronger, and more knowledeable about weapons and methods of combat. therefore, movements had to be changed and updated. grandmaster villari developed a fighting system that combines the "four ways of fighting" into one. Today, his system has spread nationally and internationally and has a permanent record in the annals of martial arts.

the great shaolin temple in the song shan mountains of central china was established around 495 A.D. It was built by the chinese emperor Hsiao wen for an indian monk named batou, known by the chinese as fo tuo. In this temple around 530 A.D. bodhidharma, an indian monk traveling from india, introduced a new buddist meditation method and fighting techniques for the monks. First, he introduced a form of breathing exercises based on animal movements to the temple monks, to strengthen and condition their bodies and purify their minds. Then, he taught them how to use the movements of animals for self defence purposes. over time, the monks changed and perfected these movements. This style became known and respected by the art of shaolin temple boxing. buddhism and shaolin temple boxing or "shaolin ch'uan fa" were the shaolin temple's main legacy to the world. so it was in china that the philosophical and religeous system upon which many martial arts depend were first introduced and nurtured.  

[X chobits semomo X]

The natives had no alternative but to practice the art known as "te" or empty handed fighting. Te was derived from the shaolin "chuan" which had, by that time, spread throughout china, and had become popular, around 900 A.D, with the chinese people of T'ang dynasty. Many Okinawans were sent to china to learn the martial arts. They later returned and influenced the methods in use on Okinawa. Okinawans later changed the name of there martial art from "Te" to "karate". The term "karate" means "T'ang hand", and is used acknowledge the chinese influence in the Okinawans art. Karate was first demonstrated in Japan in 1917 where even more styles developed. Long before either the chinese or the Okinawans practiced and developed their arts, the tibitans and the mongolians had their own form of combat which the venerable arts of Chin na, or the art of the white tiger, was further developed - a devestating form of locking, seizing, holding and grappling. the art of shaolin kempo was founded and developed by grandmaster villari after many years of studying and mastering numerous different styles of the martial arts including shaolin temple boxing, jiu jitsu, kung fu, kempo, different styles of karate, as well as the secret art of the white tiger(chin na).

grandmaster villari realized, because of his varied wealth of experience and his dedication in seeking the ultimate fighting system offered something unique, and each also had its glaring weaknesses that could make a fighter vulnerable. after studying and mastering many different styles and ways of fighting, grandmaster villari concluded that there really were only four ways of fighting.

1.With your hands(punching, striking - open or closed) or use of any parts of the arms, elbows forearms, etc.

2.kicking(with foot, leg, knee, shin)

3.felling - that is to knock an opponent off his feet by throwing, tripping, pulling, pushing, shoving, or scooping him.

4. Grappling - by either wrestling, holding, breaking, locking bones or joints against nerve centers.