Karate-Do
The way of the empty hand
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Introduction
Karate-do (空手道), formally known as “Tudi”(唐手)， is an unarmed martial art developed in the
Ryukyu Islands in what is now Okinawa, Japan. It was developed from the
indigenous martial arts of Ryukyu Islands (called te (手), literally "hand"; tii in Okinawan) under the influence
of Chinese martial arts, particularly to that of the Fujian White Crane. Karate
is a striking art using punching, kicking, knee strikes, elbow strikes and open
hand techniques such as knife-hands, spear-hands, and palm-heel strikes. In
some styles, grappling, throws, joint locks, restraints, and vital point
strikes are also taught. A karate practitioner is called a karateka (空手家). Each karateka wears a white uniform called karategi during
training. Every training is held in a dojo (training hall).
National Organisation
(click to visit website)
International Organisation
(click to visit website)
Factions in Karate
Many in the public
actually think that karate exist as a single self-defense art. In fact, karate actually incorporated all styles of Okinawan martial arts and Chinese kung fu
learned by the Okinawans. The styles of the art varied with different masters of
different Ryus (or factions). Soon, new factions arose from traditional factions
as students went out to spread the art of karate. Till today, there are more than 50 Karate Ryus
in Japan and more worldwide.
Here are some of the main Ryus in Japan:
| Origin | Derived from | Hard/soft | Stances | Representative kata | # of kata | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chitō-ryū | Japan and Okinawa | Shōrei-ryū, Shōrin-ryū | 60 percent hard, 40 percent soft techniques | deep (beginner), natural (advanced) | Seisan, Niseishi-Sho, Niseishi-Dai, Rohai-Sho, Shiho-Hai | 35 including kobudo kata |
| Gōjū-ryū | Okinawa | Fujian White Crane | both | deep/natural | Sanchin, Tensho, Gekisai Dai, Seipai, Saifa | 12 |
| Gosoku-ryū | Japan and USA | Gōjū-ryū, Shotokan | 50 percent hard, 50 percent soft techniques | deep (beginner), natural (advanced) | Gosoku, Rikyu, Denko Getsu, Tamashi | 46 including weapons kata |
| Isshin-ryū | Okinawa | Gōjū-ryū, Shōrin-ryū, Kobudō | both, primarily hard | natural | Sunsu | 14 |
| Kyokushin | Japan | Shotokan, Gōjū-ryū | Hardest techniques | natural | 5 Pinan, Kanku, Tensho, Garyu | 23 (+ ura) |
| Ryūei-ryū | Okinawa | Naha-te, Chinese martial arts | natural | Anan, Paiku, Heiku, Pachu, Ohan, Paiho, Niseishi | about 16 | |
| Shindō jinen-ryū | Japan and Okinawa | primarily Shuri-te like Shitō-ryū, but also Naha-te and Tomari-te | both | deep/natural | Shimpa, Taisabaki 1-3, Sunakake no Kon | More than 60 counting all kobudo kata |
| Shitō-ryū | Japan and Okinawa | Shōrin-ryū, Naha-te, Shuri-te. | both | deep/natural | Pinan, Bassai Dai, Seienchin, Saifa, Rōhai, Nipaipo | more than 80 |
| Shōrin-ryū | Okinawa | Shuri-te, Tomari-te, Chinese martial arts | both, primarily soft | natural | Pinan, Naihanchi, Fukyu | 21 |
| Shotokan | Japan and Okinawa | Shōrei-ryū, Shōrin-ryū | Primarily hard techniques as well as soft techniques | deep (beginner), natural (advanced) | 5 Heian, Jion, Kanku Dai, Bassai Dai, Sochin etc. | 26 + additional |
| Shuri-ryū | USA | Shuri-te, Hsing-yi | both | deep/natural | Wunsu, O-Naihanchi, Sanchin | 15 |
| Uechi-ryū | Okinawa | Pangai-noon Kung Fu | half hard, half soft | mainly natural | Sanchin, Seisan, Sanseirui | 8 |
| Wado-ryū | Japan | Yoshin-ryu Jujitsu and Shotokan | both, primarily soft | mainly natural | Pinan, Kushanku, Seishan, Chintō | 15 (one hidden) |
| Yōshūkai | Japan and Okinawa | Chitō-ryū | 60 percent hard, 40 percent soft techniques | deep (beginner), natural (advanced) | Seisan, Bassai, Yoshu, San Shi Ryu | 18 |
Next, we will talk about the three main aspects of karate―——kihon, kata & kumite.
Kihon
Kihon (基本, きほん) is a Japanese term meaning "basics" or
"fundamentals." The term is used to refer to the basic techniques
that are taught and practiced as the foundation of karate. The practice and
mastery of kihon is essential to all advanced training, and includes the
practice of correct body form and breathing, while practicing basics such as
stances, punches, kicks, blocks, and thrusts. Styles of karate differ greatly in
the emphasis placed on kihon. Kihon may be practiced as "floor
exercises", where the same technique or combination is repeated multiple
times as the students move back and forth across the floor. Japanese karate
styles are notorious for extended periods of kihon training. This style of
practice is believed to ingrain the techniques into the memormuscley of the karateka. Kihon
may also take the form of prearranged partner drills whereby two students face
each other and alternate execution of a technique. This approach combines
repetition with training in distancing. Targets for punching and kicking, such
as bags, shields, or dummies, are generally used at more advanced stages of
kihon training to strengthen muscles, bones, and skin. Examples of traditional
striking targets include makiwara, among many others.
Please take a look at how Karate black-belts train in their dojo.
The following are some examples of common stances, hand techniques and kicks involved in kihon.
- Stances (Dachi)
Japanese
|
English
|
Heisoku
Dachi
|
Closed
foot stance (feet together)
|
Musubi
Dachi
|
Heels
together - feet at an angle
|
Heiko
Dachi
|
Parallel
stance (feet shoulder width apart)
|
Hachiji
Dachi
|
Natural
stance (feet shoulder width apart - toes slightly pointed out)
|
Shiko
Dachi
|
Straddle
leg stance
|
Kiba
Dachi
|
Horse riding
stance
|
Sanchin
Dachi
|
Hourglass
stance
|
Zen
Kutsu Dach
|
Front
Stance
|
Han
Zen Kutsu Dachi
|
Half
front stance
|
Fudo
Dachi
|
Free
stance
|
Kokutsu
Dachi
|
Back
stance
|
Neko
Ashi Dachi
|
Cat
stance
|
Renoji
Dachi
|
"L"
stance
|
Seisan
Dachi
|
Side
facing straddle stance
|
Koshi
Dachi
|
Squat
stance
|
Common examples:
·
·
Kōkutsu-dachi (後屈立, back long stance)
·
Nekoashi-dachi (猫足立, cat foot stance)
·
Moto-dachi (基立, Foundational stance: basic stance for kumite)
If you are interested, please watch the video below for more details on basic karate stances.
- Blocks (Uke)
Japanese
|
English
|
Age Uke (Jodan)
|
Rising block (Head)
|
Chudan Uke
|
Inside circular block
|
Harai Uke
|
Sweeping block
|
Yoko Uke
|
Side block
|
Morote Sukui Uke
|
Two hand scoop block
|
Shotei Harai Uke
|
Palm heel sweeping block
|
Shotei Otoshi Uke
|
Palm heel descending block
|
Hojo Uke
|
Augmented block
|
Hari Uke
|
Bow & Arrow block
|
Haishu Mawashi Osae Uke
|
Back hand circling press block
|
Kuri Uke
|
Circular elbow block
|
Ura Kake Uke
|
Back-hand hook block
|
Uchi Hiki Uke
|
Middle level inward pulling block
|
Yoko (Soto) Hiki Uke
|
Side (outward) pulling block
|
Kosa Uke
|
Cross block
|
Kake Uke
|
Hook block
|
Ude Osae
|
Arm wedge
|
Shotei Osae
|
Palm-heel press
|
Gedan barai
|
Downward block
|
Hiki Uke
|
Grasping block
|
Shuto Uke
|
Knife hand block
|
Shotei Uke
|
Palm heel block
|
Chudan Uchi Uke
|
Inside forearm block
|
Ko Uke
|
Wrist block
|
Gedan Uchi Barai
|
Inside downward block (open hand)
|
Ura Uke
|
Back hand block
|
Hiji Uke
|
Elbow block
|
Hiza Uke
|
Knee block
|
Mawashi Uke
|
Roundhouse block
|
Morote Uke
|
Double handed block
|
Tora Guchi
|
Tiger mouth (block & strike)
|
The following video will further explain and demonstrate the five basic blocks of karate-do. Please click to watch it.
- Punches (Zuki) & Strikes (Uchi)
Japanese
|
English
|
Age Zuki
|
rising punch
|
Kagi Zuki
|
hook punch
|
Yama Zuki
|
Mountain punch
|
Awase Zuki
|
Two handed punch
|
Heiko Zuki
|
Parallel punch
|
Hasami Zuki
|
Scissors punch
|
Nagashi Zuki
|
Flowing punch
|
Ko Uchi
|
Bent wrist strike
|
Washi-De
|
Eagle hand
|
Kaisho
|
Open hand
|
Choku Zuki
|
Straight punch
|
Ura Zuki
|
Upper punch
|
Uraken Uchi
|
Back fist strike
|
Furi Zuki
|
Circular punch
|
Mawashi Zuki
|
Round hook punch
|
Tate Zuki
|
Vertical punch
|
Kizami Zuki
|
Jab punch
|
Oi Zuki
|
Lunge punch
|
Gyaku zuki
|
Reverse punch
|
Nihon Zuki
|
Double punch
|
Sanbon Zuki
|
Triple punch
|
Jun Zuki
|
Leading punch
|
Morote Zuki
|
Two fisted punch
|
Furi Sute
|
Whip swing
|
Hojo Oshi
|
Augmented push
|
Tsukami Hiki
|
Grab-pull
|
Ashi Dori
|
Leg take down
|
Toki Waza
|
Freeing technique
|
Hazushi Waza
|
Throwing-off technique
|
Nage Waza
|
Throwing technique
|
haito Uchi
|
ridge hand
|
hiji uchi (empi)
|
elbow strike
|
kaiko-ken
|
flat fist
|
koken
|
bent wrist
|
nakadaka-ken
|
middle finger knuckle fist
|
nukite Uchi
|
finger thrust
|
seiken
|
fist
|
shotei Uchi
|
palm of hand
|
shuto Uchi
|
knife hand
|
tettsui
|
hammer hand
|
yubi hasami
|
finger pinch
|
These two videos will guide you on the two basic punches ―— Chokuzuki (straight punch) & Gyakuzuki (reverse punch).
Chokuzuki
Gyakuzuki
Here is also an introductory video on karate hand strike techniques.
- Kicks (Geri) & Foot Techniques
Japanese
|
English
|
Mae
Geri (Keage)
|
Front
kick (snap)
|
Mae
Geri (Kekomi)
|
Front
kick (thrust)
|
Kansetsu
Geri
|
Stamping
joint kick
|
Hiza
Geri
|
Knee
kick
|
Nidan
Geri
|
Double
front kick
|
Tobi
Geri
|
Jumping
kick
|
Furl
Geri
|
Swing
kick
|
Yoko
Geri (Keage)
|
Side
kick (snap)
|
Yoko
Geri (Kekomi)
|
Side
kick (thrust)
|
Mawashi
Geri
|
Round
kick
|
Ushiro
Geri
|
Back
kick
|
Ashi
Barai
|
Foot
sweep
|
Kakato
Otoshi
|
Heel
drop
|
Fumikomi
|
stamp
|
This is a guide video on a few basic karate kicks.
Kata
Kata (形, or more
traditionally, 型) (literally: "form") is a Japanese
word describing detailed patterns of movements practiced either solo or in
pairs. Each is a complete fighting system, with the movements and postures of
the kata being a living reference guide to the correct form and structure of
the techniques used within that system. Karate Kata are executed as a specified series of a variety of
moves, with stepping and turning, while attempting to maintain perfect form.
The practitioner is counseled to visualize the enemy attacks and their
responses. Karateka "read" a kata in order to explain the imagined
events. The kata is not intended as a literal depiction of a mock fight, but as
a display of transition and flow from one posture and movement to another,
teaching the student proper form and position, and encouraging them to
visualize different scenarios for the use of each motion and technique. There
are various forms of kata, each with many minor variations.
Traditionally, kata are taught
in stages. Previously learned kata are repeated to show better technique or
power as a student acquires knowledge and experience. It is common for students
testing to repeat every kata they have learned but at an improved level of
quality. The student will perform one new kata and one or two previous ones, to
demonstrate how much they have progressed. As the karate studentprogressed
from beginner to master, they would unlock the more subtle and dangerous
techniques hidden in the kata's movements. While some kata may be taught by
certain schools only to students who have reached certain levels, in practice
any kata may be taught at any level as it takes years of practice for a
karateka to discover and master the more dangerous aspects of a given kata.
The various styles of karate
study different kata, or variations of a common core. Some kata may therefore
be known by two names, one in Japanese, the other in Okinawan/Chinese. This is
because Gichin Funakoshi,
and others, renamed many kata to help Karate spread throughout Japan.
Kumite
Sparring in Karate is called kumite (組手:くみて). It literally means "meeting of hands."
Kumite is practiced both as a sport and as self-defense training.
Levels of physical contact during sparring vary considerably. Full
contact karate has several variants. Knockdown karate (such as Kyokushin) uses full power techniques to bring an opponent to the ground. In kickboxing variants (for example K-1), the preferred win is by
knockout. Sparring in armour, bogu kumite, allows full power techniques with some safety.
Sport kumite in many international competition under the World Karate Federation is free or structured with light contact or semi contact and points are awarded by a referee.
In structured kumite (yakusoku, prearranged), two participants
perform a choreographed series of techniques with one striking while the other
blocks. The form ends with one devastating technique (hito tsuki).
In free sparring (Jiyu Kumite), the two participants have a free choice
of scoring techniques. The allowed techniques and contact level are primarily
determined by sport or style organization policy, but might be modified
according to the age, rank and sex of the participants. Depending upon style, take-downs, sweeps and in some rare cases even
time-limited grappling on the ground are also
allowed.
Free sparring is performed in a marked or closed area. The bout runs for
a fixed time (2 to 3 minutes.) The time can run continuously (iri kume)
or be stopped for referee judgment. In light contact or semi contact kumite, points are awarded based on the criteria:
good form, sporting attitude, vigorous application, awareness/zanshin, good timing and correct distance. In full contact
karate kumite, points are based on the results of the impact, rather than the
formal appearance of the scoring technique.
Video on light contact kumite:
Video on full contact kumite:
Grading & Ranking System
Last but not least, karate also has its
own grading and ranking system. During the grading sessions, students are
require to demonstrate techniques such as kata and kumite before a panel of
examiners. This techniques are usually applications in the new rank. If a
student passed the session, a belt indicating the new rank will be granted. In
the Kyū/Dan system the
beginner grades start with a higher numbered kyū (e.g., 10th
Kyū or Jukyū) and progress toward a lower numbered kyū.The Dan progression
continues from 1st Dan (Shodan, or 'beginning dan') to the higher
dan grades. Kyū-grade karateka are referred to as "color belt" or
mudansha ("ones without dan/rank"). Dan-grade karateka are referred
to as yudansha (holders of dan/rank). Yudansha typically wear a black belt.
Rank
|
Belt Colour
|
8th Kyu
|
white
|
7th Kyu
|
green
|
6th Kyu
|
blue
|
5th Kyu
|
purple
|
4th Kyu
|
brown
|
3rd Kyu
|
brown
|
2nd Kyu
|
brown
|
1st Kyu
|
brown
|
1st Dan (shodan)
|
black
|
2nd Dan (nidan)
|
black
|
3rd Dan (sandan)
|
black
|
4th Dan (yodan)
|
black
|
5th Dan (godan)
|
black
|
6th Dan (Rokudan) (Honorary)
|
black
|
*(This is based on the
grading system of the local Goshin-ryu Karate-do and may varies in other Ryus.)
Normally, the first five to six dans are given by
examination by superior dan holders, while the subsequent (7 and up) are
honorary, given for special merits and/or age reached. Requirements of rank
differ among styles, organizations, and schools.
“One should be inwardly humble and outwardly gentle and never be easily drawn into a fight.”
—Gichin Funakoshi
(Founder of shotokan karate)
