Japanese Karate developed with
influences from Chinese and Japanese combative disciplines and techniques on
the Ryukyu Islands (Okinawa). Combined with indigenous fighting systems, the
weapons, striking, and grappling techniques introduced to the Okinawans were
eagerly absorbed. Through a series of weapons bans, first by Okinawan royalty
and second by the Japanese, the systems began to focus on unarmed fighting
techniques.
These fighting arts of Okinawa
were known as Toute (Chinese Hand) by the locals. By the late 1800s, the art
was centered around two main schools, Shuri-Te and Naha-Te, named after the
area on the island in which they were taught. A third school, Tomari-Te, was
also practiced but eventually absorbed by Shuri-Te. In 1916, a representative from
Okinawa, Funkoshi Gichin performed at the Butokuden in Kyoto. Interest in the
art quickly spread in the Japanese mainland. In 1936, a group of Okinawan Toute
masters met and agreed to change the characters from “Chinese Hand” to “Empty
Hand”, as the character for tou may be pronounced kara which happens to be the
same sound as Japanese word for empty. Through this process, the Okinawan art
known as Toute became accepted as Karate. With few exceptions, all schools of
Okinawan and Japanese Karate can trace their lineage through this history.
Osu!
