The Universal Theme Of The History Of Karate Is To Work In Quiet Strength
The Ryukyu kingdom was the birthplace of karate. This brand of martial is a baby compared to some. Yet the strength of this practice is the assimilation of different cultures that mold and grow the martial art and the history of karate. Beginning on the island now named Okinawa, this art was local moves with Chinese kenpo flair added in.
The strength of practicing karate comes from the striking impact of the blows. Whether using your feet, knees, or hand the movement is sharp and quick. The karate chop is a blow most seen and is an open handed blow to the soft part of the body that is usually protecting the pulse points. An individual that practices karate is called a karateka.
There are three main styles of the original karate of shuri-te, naha-te and tomari-te all based on the cities on Okinawa they came from, the teachers that taught there, and the kata that defined them.
The practice of karate includes the set movements and structure known as kata. These movements can be used in defense or in offense. The practice of the kata is done with much repetition. Making the structured placements help to clear the mind and bring the thoughts to purity and spiritually to bring one to a place of humility.
Those of the higher income level traveled to China to study, shop and practice of Chinese martial arts. Like tourists that bring home trinkets they brought the Chinese practice home and incorporated with their own. This combination worked well and a new type of karate began to emerge.
In turn the Chinese came to Okinawa to live and share their culture. This meant that what martial arts they practices were taught and assimilated into the Okinawa way.
The teacher Gichin Funakoshi was the ambassador of karate to the mainland Japan. During the twenties the Japanese wanted to have a demonstration of karate believing that it would be the perfect hand to hand combat they needed for their military. Seeing this new art many studios opened up to teach the Japanese this exciting martial art.
They changed some aspects to fit the Japanese needs and new things were added. The kimono was introduced. The white kimono or dojo as it is called was a uniform for wearing when practicing karate. The concept of dan or belts was used. They had each level be a color which created the hierarchy of expertise.
When the Second World War ended the Americans set up a base on Okinowa. While there the soldiers learned the art of karate. With the emergence of the martial arts movies that were booming in the sixties and seventies many individuals ran to begin doing karate. This boom in the film industry meant that many countries began to practice this martial art.
As with all the martial arts the practice is more than simply a physical act. To be truly immersed in the aspects of this process you must put aside any fear and show yourself to be a leader as you use dedication to the kata as your stepping stone to growing the spiritual manifestation of karate. This growth is more than simply following the forms, it is allowing the strength to let the kata work through you.
The history of karate is long, varied, and like most things peppered with other cultures. Yet the concepts are as all martial arts a good and strong basis for a life.
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