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"Karate" - Japanese for "empty
hand".
"Karateka" - One who practices
Karate.
Origin: Japan
Classification: Primarily a
"Hard" martial art.
Clothing: Karatekas wear gis
and practice barefoot.
Description:
Karate consists
of primarily linear attacks
with some circular
defensive techniques.
Karate uses many different
punches, kicks and escapes.
Karatekas
practice these techniques through
Kata and Kumite. These focus
on control and proper execution
of attacks and defensive maneuvers.
Karate evolved during the 15th
century on the island of Okinawa.
However, roots can be traced
back to ancient India and China.
It is widely held that many of
the oriental martial arts originated
in India. Karate is believed
to have been brought to Okinawa
by Zen Buddhist monks, who in
order to protect themselves,
developed an open handed fighting
system known as te (hand).
Gichin Funakoshi is credited
with bringing Karate to mainland
Japan in the early part of the
20th century. In 1924 Funakoshi
started several schools to teach
Karate.
There are many different styles
of Karate, but the four "main"
styles include:
Goju-ryu, Shinto-ryu, Shotokan,
and Wado-ryu.
The Study of Karate will
develop both arms and
legs as well
as cardiovascular health.
Karate is considered
a competitive sport and a
complete
system
of Self Defense.
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