Style: Karate (pronounced kuh-rah-tay) Meaning: "Empty hand" Country of origin: Japan
Did you know?
Karate is fragmented into many different forms or schools. Although many of these forms only differ very slightly from each other, a few do differ in significant ways - such as the use of circular blocks (which sweep the attacking limb out of the way) or linear blocks (which meet the attacking limb directly with the intent of damaging it).
Karate was developed in Okinawa, an island in Japan. However, when this martial arts style was developed, Okinawa was ruled by China. Hence the Chinese are credited with the finding of this style. Karate was derived from Kung Fu and Kempo (Chinese Boxing) by the Okinawan farmers in order to fight the Chinese occupiers, and later the Japanese aggressors. It was designed to be swift and violent, quickly fighting an enemy using foot and hand strikes and not getting involved in grappling, though the opponent may be held on to for a short amount of time in order to prevent them from dodging an attack.
Karate did not take on a spiritual side until the 20th century with the development of Karate-do in which students study Karate as a means of self-improvement.
Similar Styles
Qwan Ki Do - A Vietnamese style which relies primarily on striking techniques, but is more acrobatic than Karate.
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