Martial Arts

Homepage  | Add to Favorites


Warning: include(http://www.handsnet.org/pix_insert_1.php) [function.include]: failed to open stream: Connection refused in /home/body/public_html/martial-arts/history_and_fundamentals_of_karate.php on line 62

Warning: include() [function.include]: Failed opening 'http://www.handsnet.org/pix_insert_1.php' for inclusion (include_path='.:/usr/lib/php:/usr/local/lib/php') in /home/body/public_html/martial-arts/history_and_fundamentals_of_karate.php on line 62

Search
Recommended Products
Related Links


 

 

Featured Articles

Martial Arts Webmasters: Time to Optimize your site!
A few months ago I was looking through the search engines to see if my website www.aimusainc.com was even found for certain keywords. Well it wasn’t. I knew something needed to be done, because I was losing potential customers to my Martial Art...



British Aikido Board National Nepotism Seminar 2004
The British Aikido Board Disastrous National Nepotism Seminar 2004 – 99 Students By Henry Ellis Co-author of Positive Aikido. ( BAB Founder member - now resigned ) For many years The British Aikido Board ( BAB ) have...

Which Boxing Gloves Will You Buy?
Do an online search of boxing gloves, and you'll get more results returned than you know what to do with! First of all, you need to determine the purpose of your gloves. Are they for full contact boxing? Martial arts sparring? Training? Bag work?...


How to keep yourself Fit on Vacations
Are you worried, about missing your daily workout routine? Yes???. Vacations should be fun and fun can be increased if you keep yourself Fighting Fit. Pre-vacation planning can help you and your family to stick to healthy lifestyle activities...

 
History And Fundamentals Of Karate

History:

Though Karate is often associated with Japanese martial arts, its true origin dwells in Okinawan combat techniques and Southern Chinese martial arts. It is basically a fusion of both arts and was introduced to Japan only in 1921. During this period, Karate was simply known as "Te", or hand, as called by the Okinawans. Chinese influence is evident in the original symbol for Karate - the "Tang Hand" or "Chinese Hand".

There were no specified or concrete Karate styles in the early days and simply generalized as Shuri-te, Naha-te and Tomari-te, named after the three cities in which they were formed. Each city had its own methods, principles, system and traditions of Karate.

The introduction, popularization and modernization of Karate to Japan are mainly credited to Funakoshi, an Okinawan master, venerably regarded by many practitioners as "The Father of Modern Karate". Other prominent Karate experts in his time include Kenwa Mabuni, Miyagi Chojun, Choshin Chibana, and Motobu Choki.

Japan began introducing Karate as a subject in schools before the Second World War and soldiers in the army were often trained in the discipline. Competitions and different styles also started emerging as several universities started karate club programs during this period.

The popularization of Karate in the West has its roots in the American military occupation of Japan and Okinawa after the Second World War, and Japanese immigration to the United States.

Fundamentals of Karate:

Karate mainly stresses on volatile combat techniques such as punching, kicking, knee and elbow strikes, and open hand methods. Grappling, joint manipulations, locks,


restraints, throwing, and vital point striking are also parts of this discipline.

Karate training is divided into three main sections -

* Kihon refers to the study of basic techniques, movements and components * Kata or 'form', a fixed sequence of moves, is a series of movements and techniques linked together by the combatative principles that the kata expresses. * Kumite or 'sparring' evovles from well-defined kata to open attack and defense.

The Uniform - Color of the Belt and Ranks:

The Karate uniform is white and comprised of the Kimono (shirt), Dogi or Keikogi (pants) and a belt (white or colored), a combination introduced by Jigoro Kano, the founder of Judo. The color of the belt is dependant on the rank and expertise of a practitioner. In accordance with commonly held standards, white belts are for beginners, and black for the highest rank. This, howver, may differ from one organization to another. Each rank may also have subdivions of its own even if the color of the belt is similar. Styles and Variations:

Karate styles can be broadly classified into Traditional and Full Body Karate. Traditional styles are those that developed in the early period of the 20th century and include variants such as Shotokan, Goju-ryu, Wado-ryu, Shito-ryu, Kushin-ryu, and Shindo Jinen Ryu. Full contact karate includes styles such as Kyokushin-kaikan and Kansuiryu. Many of the styles have offshoots that developed into styles of their own. Although the concepts remain universal, each representation differ from one another.

About the author:

Martial Arts HQ offers articles, tips and tricks about different martial arts.

 


Warning: include(http://www.handsnet.org/infoorg_footer.php) [function.include]: failed to open stream: Connection refused in /home/body/public_html/martial-arts/history_and_fundamentals_of_karate.php on line 345

Warning: include() [function.include]: Failed opening 'http://www.handsnet.org/infoorg_footer.php' for inclusion (include_path='.:/usr/lib/php:/usr/local/lib/php') in /home/body/public_html/martial-arts/history_and_fundamentals_of_karate.php on line 345