Karate

In short

The roots of karate

There are many ideas about where karate began. It is said that its roots were a self-defense art that the samurai class of the Ryukyu Kingdom learned as part of their education.

Xu Baoguang, an envoy from China who came to Ryukyu in 1719, wrote a book in 1721 that records a Ryukyuan word for a punch with the fist. It is thought that by then a martial art called te (“hand”), which used this punch, had been born.

From te to karate

A history book of Ryukyu, Kyuyo, says that in the early 18th century, arts such as fighting with a staff had spread to the country areas.

Te developed its own ways of training with tools such as the makiwara (a striking post), self-defense with bare hands, and arts using weapons such as the staff and sai. It created kata (set forms), and Okinawa karate grew and was completed.

The name “karate”

On October 25, 1936, the writing “karate” (空手), now known to karate people around the world, was officially decided.

In 2005 the Okinawa Prefectural Assembly voted, with everyone in favor, to make October 25 Karate Day.

Think about it

• Q1Karate grew from “te” (hand). How do you think bare-hand self-defense and weapon arts came to be taught together?
• Q2Why would a kata (set form) help people pass on a martial art?
• Q3Is there a martial art or sport that began in your area?

There is no single right answer. Talking it over with someone at home is a good way to learn.