WHAT IS KARATE?

Karate-do is a martial art originated in Okinawa, modified and transformed in a way of life by Master Gichin Funikoshi. Until before these modifications, it was just a group of techniques that permitted self defence without weapons other than your hands and feet. Though there was some Chinese influence, the development was mostly Okinawan, and thus Japanese. Master Funikoshi, influenced by traditional martial arts from the main japanese islands,kyudo, kendo, judo for example, he modified Karate, that until that moment could have been called Karate-jutsu, a fighting art and emphasized the philosophical aspects, this way all that was learnt could be extrapolated to the daily life of the student. This is why Karate is a way of life: Karate-do (do, means way or road). Gichin Funikoshi, thus, combined Karate techniques with traditional Budo (the martial way), inserting the essence of Budo in the heart of Karate -- the real way of martial arts. The Budo word is formed by two chinese characters, bu is formed by two symbols, one means to stop, inside another that represents two weapons, two crossed halberds, thus, bu, means to stop conflict. In Master Funikoshi's own words: "Since Karate is a budo, this meaning should be deeply considered, and the fists should not be used heedlessly." Shotokai Chile, has modified its name from Karate-do to Karate Budo, to emphasize its difference from so many other Karate-do's that have very little of the original foundations, sort of what Master Funikoshi did when he modified the

The origins of Modern Japanese Karate can be traced back to Okinawa. During the government of Okinawan King Shohashi in 1429, he unified the islands of Okinawa under his rule and banned all use of weapons. This prohibition gave a great impetus to the populace to practice empty-handed combat, known as Okinawan-te, for self defence. Moreover, in 1609, the Okinawan islands were conquered by the Japanese warlord Shimazu. As a consequence of the Okinawans refusing to help Shimazu, he banned the use of weapons in the country. During this era, the art of empty handed fighting became popular and many farming tools were cleverly converted by the people to be used as weapons. The Nunchakus, Tonfa and the Sai were formerly farming tools used as weapons, just to name a few.

A pair of Nunchakus which was originally an instrument used to pound grain CLICK HERE FOR HISTORY CLICK HERE FOR ANATOMY CLICK HERE FOR TYPES OF NUNCHAKU	Pairs of Tonfa. A Tonfa was originally used as a handle to turn the millstone for grinding rice. CLICK HERE FOR HISTORY	A pair of Sai which was originally used for digging a farrow in the soil for planting seeds. CLICK HERE FOR HISTORY CLICK HERE FOR ANATOMY