Karate History

Karate (空手) particularly Fujian White Crane. Karate is now predominantly a striking art [kaɾate] ( Okinawan pronunciation: [kaɽati]) is a martial art developed in the Ryukyu Kingdom. It developed from the indigenous Ryukyuan martial arts (called te (手), "hand"; tii in Okinawan) under the influence of Chinese martial arts, particularly Fujian White Crane. Karate is now predominantly a striking art using punching, kicking, knee strikes, elbow strikes and open-hand techniques such as knife-hands, spear-hands and palm-heel strikes. Historically, and in some modern styles, grappling, throws, joint locks, restraints and vital-point strikes are also taught. A karate practitioner is called a karateka (空 手家). The Empire of Japan annexed the Ryukyu Kingdom in 1879. Karate came to mainland Japan in the early… [ Read More ]