History of Karate
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Origin of Karate The general belief is that Karate has its origin in Japan. It is not so. Karate was developed in the Ryukyu Islands of the present Okinawa long before the annexation of Okinawa by Japan in the 19th century. The Ryukyu Islands were part of the then Ryukyu Kingdom. Karate is actually a fusion of the local martial art form of Ryukyu Islands called Te and the Chinese Kenpo. Karate came to mainland Japan only in early 20th century as a result of increased cultural exchanges between Ryukyu Island and the mainland. By early 1920s the Ministry of Education in Japan, in line with the increased militarism of that country, took special interest in this martial art and established Karate clubs in every university with the help of experts from Ryukyu Islands. That is for the modern times.
Karate of ancient times: If you go back in time some 1400 years you will see that Karate is very much related to Zen Buddhism. Daruma who is believed to have founded Zen Buddhism in India also introduced Karate. It was to give his disciples greater strength and endurance. Spiritualism and physical teaching were combined in their training. Daruma was the one who took Buddhism into China. Along with it, he also introduced this hard physical training in China. All these facts are recorded by Daruma in his book, Ekkin-Kyo. This book is the first record on Karate. Karate in China developed into Shaolin Kung-fu in the north and Shokei in the south. These two schools of martial arts slowly influenced the Okinawa-te, the indigenous variety of Okinawa. Karate continued its journey through Japan to other parts of the world.
What is Karate? Karate is a form of martial art which employs kicking, punching, strike by knees and elbow and many other methods for self defense. Strike at vital points of the opponent, chops by hand, restraints and grappling are some other techniques used in Karate. Outside Japan this form of martial art is considered as a method of hand to hand fighting only. But the Japanese consider it a way of life. They are very philosophical about it. For them Karate teaches them self discipline and must have lifelong practice to achieve it. The Japanese consider Karate as a vehicle for promoting spiritualism and ethical principles in the practitioner. In Japan a practitioner of Karate is called Karateka.
Karate in United States: Karate came to the United States immediately after the World War II. It was brought by the servicemen stationed in Okinawa. By 1960 and 70s Karate became so popular in the United States that movies with Karate as the main theme started coming out of Hollywood studios. The interest in Karate spread all to parts of the world by this time. Many Karate training schools opened their doors across the United States. But most of the school did not practice the pure form of this art. Any martial art form coming from Asia came to be known as Karate.
Anyway, Karate inspired people all over the world to have hard training to keep themselves fit mentally and physically.
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Tags: Adult Costume, Annexation, Buddhism In India, Chinese Kenpo Karate, Cultural Exchanges, Daruma, Education In Japan, History Of Karate, Karate Clubs, Karate Kid Cobra Kai, Mainland Japan, Martial Art, Militarism, Ministry Of Education, Okinawa Japan, Okinawa Karate, Ryukyu Islands, Ryukyu Kingdom, Spiritualism, Zen Buddhism
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