KARATE

By Matthew Elton
Copyright 2006 Matthew Elton
Karate is one of the most popular of all martial arts. It is an important
part of Japanese culture that has spread around the world. People learn karate
not only for self defense but also to improve strength, stamina, speed, balance,
self-discipline, concentration, and overall fitness.
Karate is short for karate-do, which means The Empty Hand Way. Unlike
many other martial arts, karate teaches self defense without weapons. This
weaponless martial art originated on the island of Okinawa. When the Japanese
took over this island weaponless peasants developed ways to defend themselves. In
this way, several martial arts originated, including bushido, in which farming
tools are used as weapons, and weaponless martial arts, such as judo, aikido, and
karate.
To the average person, judo, aikido, and karate look very similar, almost
identical. However, there are many subtle but important differences. Judo and
aikido focus on grappling and throwing techniques, in which the opponents force
is directed against them. Karate, on the other hand, focuses less on throwing
techniques and more on fatal punches and kicks, and careful timing with fast and
sudden attacks that catch the opponent off guard.
For centuries, karate remained an art practiced only by peasants. Japanese
samurai had no use for it, for they were highly skilled in Japanese sword arts,
such as kendo. In the nineteenth century, European trade with Asia spread karate
across Asia, and into Europe. In the twentieth century, especially during World
War II, it was mandatory for Japanese youth to learn karate in school.
Dojos, places where karate is taught, can now be found almost anywhere in
the world. Most versions of karate do not teach how to fight, but rather how to
avoid fighting, and to fight only when absolutely necessary. Although karate
students learn how to perform lethal attacks, they do not expect to ever use them.
Karate students wear a karate uniform (called a gi) with a colored belt that
shows their rank. The ranks range from white belt (beginner) to black belt
(expert). The darker the belt, the higher the rank is. Originally, there was no
ranking system based on belt color, and everyone wore white belts. However, after
much practicing the belts would become covered in dirt and dust, and turn brown,
and eventually black. Those with dirtier, and therefore darker, belts would be
more experienced. Now the ranks range from white belt to yellow, orange, green,
blue, purple, three degrees of brown, and ten degrees of black. Although there
are ten degrees of black belt, it is almost impossible to reach the tenth degree.
At this time, there is only one person in the world who is a tenth degree black
belt. Just making it to first degree black belt is a big accomplishment.
Karate can be broken down into two main parts: kata and kumite. Kata
consists of memorizing a series of movements and repeating them. Usually, a
karate student must memorize and perform at least one new kata before advancing to
the next rank. Kumite, also known as sparring, is practicing fighting skills with
another person. When sparring, karate students fight but do not actually hurt
each other. Kumite is considered the best way to practice self defense. Most
dojos have competitions for both kata and kumite.
Besides kata and kumite, karate students learn stances, punches, kicks,
blocking techniques, elbow techniques, and other attacks and defensive techniques.
Everything they learn must be practiced again and again until it is perfect.
Some karate students perform meditation before and after each karate class,
to help enhance concentration. This meditation, called moksha, is simply clearing
the mind of all thoughts and concentrating on nothing. It sounds simple, however,
it is easier said then done, and can take years to master.
Karate is an important part of Japanese culture, and Japanese culture is an
important part of karate. Many American karate dojos require that karate students

learn how to count in Japanese and learn the Japanese terms for karate techniques.
Japanese terms such as sensei for teacher are also used in most dojos. Karate
students use the term osu for yes, although it does not actually mean yes in
Japanese, and has no Japanese meaning. The origin of the term is unknown.
There are dozens of Japanese martial arts that most people have never heard
of. However, everyone has heard of karate. Karate is one of the most famous of
all martial arts, and has spread from Japan to all parts of the world, while still
maintaining its Japanese heritage and traditions.

Works Cited
Hassell, Randall G., and Edmond Otis. The Complete Idiot's Guide to Karate. 1st
ed. Vol. 1. Indianapolis, IN: Alpha Books, 2000.
Kozuki, Russel. Karate for Young People. 6th ed. Vol. 1. New York, NY: Sterling,
1975.