Karate - The Way Of The Empty Hand

Karate (空手) or karate-dō (空手道) is one of the most fascinating martial art in the world today. For me, there is not any martial art that is as flexible and enjoyable as sport.

Karate as a martial art was developed and diversified from various forms of Chinese Kung-fu on the island of Okinawa and was taken to
Japan in the early years of the twentieth century.

Karate is NOT an expression of aggression. Karate is not about violence at all. It is about respect, disciplin of mind and body, confidence, control of oneself, and ends with courtesy and leads to Wa-No-Michi (peace in one's life).

Ankō Itosu (糸洲 安恒, Itosu Ankō, Itosu Yasutsune in Japanese) is considered by many the father of modern karate, although this title is also often given to Gichin Funakoshi (船越 義珍 Funakoshi Gichin) because the latter spread karate throughout Japan.

Funakoshi Gichin is responsible for changing its emphasis from a method of self defence to a mental and physical discipline.

The five most important styles of Karate are: Shotokan, Goyo ryu, Wado ryu, Shito ryu, and Kyokushinkai.

Modern karate training is commonly divided into kihon (basics or fundamentals techniques: blocking, punching, striking, and kicking), kata (formal exercises which combine basic karate techniques - blocking, punching, striking, and kicking - into a series of predetermined movements. ), and kumite (sparring).

A karate practitioner is called a karateka (空手家). The karateka must apply proper karate techniques, demonstrate correct power and speed, and, above all, exercise good control -- contact is prohibited. The karateka may freely engage his physical and mental powers, but must strictly control his attacks -- contact is prohibited. The karateka must be well-trained and disciplined enough to make a powerful blow that stops just before it reaches its target.

Karate competition has three disciplines: sparring (kumite), empty-handed forms (kata), and weapons forms (kobudō kata). Competitors may enter either as individuals or as part of a team. Evaluation for kata and kobudo is performed by a panel of judges, whereas sparring is judged by a head referee, usually with assistant referees at the side of the sparring area. Sparring matches are typically divided by weight, age, gender, and experience.

Training is important in Karate as well as concentration because while it may be easy to create a centered being when inside a martial arts gym, the same cannot be said of situations and circumstances outside. Controlled breathing is one key to being one with the universe and to center oneself with nature.

Karate is an affective martial arts that can be studied anywhere in the world today. In studying karate-dō (空手道), it is important to remember that along with building physical strength to be able to defeat your opponent the mental capacity should also be developed. Just like in any art, it takes a lot of practice and discipline to perfect the art of Karate (空手). The important thing is the one who wants to get into the art should have determination to give honor to the art by performing it in the best way possible.

It seems like new information is discovered about something every day. And the topic of martial art is no exception. Keep reading to get more fresh news about martial art.

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So now you know a little bit about karate-dō (空手道). Even if you don't know everything, you've done something worthwhile: you've expanded your knowledge.

Enjoy, and in the words of Gichin Funakoshi:

"It is important that karate can be practiced by the young and old, men and women alike. That is, since there is no need for a special training place, equipment, or an opponent, a flexibility in training is provided such that the physically and spiritually weak individual can develop his body and mind so gradually and naturally that he himself may not even realize his own great progress... The ultimate aim of the art of karate lies not in victory or defeat, but in the perfection of the characters of its participants... "

The potential offered by this martial art fighting system ultimately depends upon the person learning it. And - in short - karate is no more and no less than what an karateka put into it.

Copyright © Anne-Marie Ronsen

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