History

The origins of karate can be traced back through the centuries from modern Japan via Okinawa to China and possibly to India in the 4 th and 5 th centuries BC.

Tradition has it that these techniques were taught to Shaolin monks in China in order to improve their physical and mental stamina. The system involved a combination of Indian yoga breathing techniques and native Chinese unarmed combat called kempo. The monks became famous for their fighting skills, taking advantage of their knowledge of the various nerve centres of the body [used in acupuncture] in order to attack vulnerable points on the body of their opponents.

Combat techniques known as te [hand] had existed for many centuries in Okinawa [an island between China and Japan], but these were traditionally of a hard nature, whereas the Chinese systems were of a softer, more flowing form. These contrasting elements combined, and assumed a new name tang hand [tang meaning Chinese].

Okinawa was dominated by the Japanese who banned the use of weapons by the general public. The effect of this was to encourage the development of tang hand.

One of the teachers of this style of fighting was Gichin Funakoshi who was invited to demonstrate his skills in Japan in 1917. He was so well received that he moved permanently to Japan in 1936, and opened a dojo [hall] in which to teach his techniques. This became known as the ‘Shotokan', or Shoto's hall; Shoto being Master Funakoshi's pen name. Shotokan eventually became the name of the style he practised, a combination of the powerful techniques of the Shorei school and the lighter, more flexible movements of the Shorin school.

Although Sensei Funakoshi was renowned as a great fighter, he always emphasized that the most important benefit obtained from karate training is the development of spiritual values and the perfection of character of its participants.

In the same year, he changed the name ‘tang hand' to ‘karate', because there was growing anti-Chinese feeling within Japan. Karate is a Japanese word meaning ‘empty hand' [kara-empty and te-hand]. Apart from being nationally acceptable, it was also descriptive, not only in the obvious sense [unarmed], but also in the more subtle Zen sense of ‘emptiness'.

By emptying the mind, the karateka removes conscious thought and fights instinctively. He is aware of the situation rather than minor detail. He watches the whole of the opponent's body, rather than the parts: response is instinctive and immediate.

Sensei Funakoshi said:

‘All is emptiness-even the thought of emptiness is no longer there. From this absolute emptiness comes the most wondrous enfoldment of doing'.

Shotokan is the most widely practised style of karate in Japan that is officially sponsored and recognised by their ministry of education, science and culture.