History of Karate
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Karate Styles
Today there are five main styles of karate-do through out the world:Seishinryuko, Goju-ryu, Shito-ryu, Shotokan, and Wado-ryu
Seishinryoku founded by Chamo Hanashi (1871-1945),emerged form the union of the two Okinawa schools of Shorin Ryu and Shorei 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 are characterized by an emphasis on power in the execution of techniques.
Shotokan , 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.
New beginning
The first public demonstration of karate in Japan was in 1917 by Gichin Funakoshi, at the Butoku-den in Kyoto.
This and subsequent demonstrations, been scorned by the Japanese without the backing of so formidable a martial arts master. 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.
Free-Style karate, this is the most modern of Karate styles, developed in the 1970,s and 80's it uses modern training methods while maintaining the traditional aspects of respect and discipline. Many of the instructors of free style have trained in many different forms of martial arts and in order to impart this knowledge to their students they feel the need to teach in a free style format.
The History of Karate
Legend has it, the evolution of karate began over a thousand years ago, possibly as early as the fifth century BC when Bodhidharma (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 vary 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 . 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 known is about the early development of karate until it appeared in Okinawa.
Photo below
| ΟΚΙΝΑWA MASTERS FOUNDERS OF THE KARATE DO ASSOCIATION IN OCTOBER 25,1936. | |
| (FRONT FROM LEFT) CHOTOKU KYAN (1870-1945) KENTSU YABU (1863-1937) CHOMO HANASHIRO (1871-1945) CHOJU MYAGI(1888-1953) | ||
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 wide and only about 110 km long. It is situated 740 km east of Mainland China, 550 km 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 discovered first by the Japanese. It later developed as a trade centre for south-eastern 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 people of Okinawa 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.
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)