Friday 30 May 2014

Karate-do

Karate-Do

The way of the empty hand




Introduction


Karate-do (空手), 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 (), 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




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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:


OriginDerived fromHard/softStancesRepresentative kata# of kata
Chitō-ryūJapan and OkinawaShōrei-ryū, Shōrin-ryū60 percent hard, 40 percent soft techniquesdeep (beginner), natural (advanced)Seisan, Niseishi-Sho, Niseishi-Dai, Rohai-Sho, Shiho-Hai35 including kobudo kata
Gōjū-ryūOkinawaFujian White Cranebothdeep/naturalSanchin, Tensho, Gekisai Dai, Seipai, Saifa12
Gosoku-ryūJapan and USAGōjū-ryū, Shotokan50 percent hard, 50 percent soft techniquesdeep (beginner), natural (advanced)Gosoku, Rikyu, Denko Getsu, Tamashi46 including weapons kata
Isshin-ryūOkinawaGōjū-ryū, Shōrin-ryū, Kobudōboth, primarily hardnaturalSunsu14
KyokushinJapanShotokan, Gōjū-ryūHardest techniquesnatural5 Pinan, Kanku, Tensho, Garyu23 (+ ura)
Ryūei-ryūOkinawaNaha-te, Chinese martial artsnaturalAnan, Paiku, Heiku, Pachu, Ohan, Paiho, Niseishiabout 16
Shindō jinen-ryūJapan and Okinawaprimarily Shuri-te like Shitō-ryū, but also Naha-te and Tomari-tebothdeep/naturalShimpa, Taisabaki 1-3, Sunakake no KonMore than 60 counting all kobudo kata
Shitō-ryūJapan and OkinawaShōrin-ryū, Naha-te, Shuri-te.bothdeep/naturalPinan, Bassai Dai, Seienchin, Saifa, Rōhai, Nipaipomore than 80
Shōrin-ryūOkinawaShuri-te, Tomari-te, Chinese martial artsboth, primarily softnaturalPinan, Naihanchi, Fukyu21
ShotokanJapan and OkinawaShōrei-ryū, Shōrin-ryūPrimarily hard techniques as well as soft techniquesdeep (beginner), natural (advanced)5 Heian, Jion, Kanku Dai, Bassai Dai, Sochin etc.26 + additional
Shuri-ryūUSAShuri-te, Hsing-yibothdeep/naturalWunsu, O-Naihanchi, Sanchin15
Uechi-ryūOkinawaPangai-noon Kung Fuhalf hard, half softmainly naturalSanchin, Seisan, Sanseirui8
Wado-ryūJapanYoshin-ryu Jujitsu and Shotokanboth, primarily softmainly naturalPinan, Kushanku, Seishan, Chintō15 (one hidden)
YōshūkaiJapan and OkinawaChitō-ryū60 percent hard, 40 percent soft techniquesdeep (beginner), natural (advanced)Seisan, Bassai, Yoshu, San Shi Ryu18


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:

·         Zenkutsu-dachi (前屈立, forward stance)




·         Kiba-dachi (騎馬立, horse stance or rider stance)










·         Shiko-dachi (四股立, square stance)

·       



·         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 (, or more traditionally, ) (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.

This video shows the demonstration of the kata Unsu during a kata competition.







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)

                                                                                                                    

 









-----The End-----



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References: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karate