Brief History of Karate
Karate is a word that is an amalgam of two words from the Chinese language. The meaning of the two words from the Chinese language is “empty” and “handed” respectively. This might explain that the art of karate is the skillful defense of oneself without the use of weaponry.
However, many historians accept that in part, this art of empty handed fighting was formed due to the weapons ban put in place by King Sho Shin in 1507. The King’s directive was in a huge part responsible for the creation of a way of fighting that did not violate the King’s order!
This form of unarmed fighting is said to be influenced by Chinese Martial arts which played the role of its mentor and inspiration. Karate is said to be based on the movements of animals and probably also the sounds animals produce since karate involves a lot of “in-human” sounds emanating from the fighters while fighting! The various forms of fighting within Karate are named after cities and towns in China. Karate is said to refer to the state of rendering oneself with emptiness or without ego. This art was originally taught as a means of an exercise for the body and the mind so that the proper and smooth functioning of both would create a rhythm within the body and help polish the personality of the individual practicing this art.
It is said that the power of karate does not come about from high muscle strength. Instead, good understanding of the dynamics of the body as well as excellent concentration creates a Karate Master. Since Karate is a weaponless form of fighting, the impact of the colliding parts of the body hold prime importance. The art of Karate involves firstly, excellent body synchronization and secondly, the attention of the fighter such that he is able to accumulate all body strength at the point of contact of the body with the opponent in the form of an attacking or defending blow so as to give the body new life by defending it up against the aggressor.
