Karate-do

Karate-Do

The way of the empty hand

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

Malaysia Karate Federation - MAKAF

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International Organisation

WORLD KARATE FEDERATION

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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:

·         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 (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.

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., 10^th Kyū or Jukyū) and progress toward a lower numbered kyū.The Dan progression continues from 1^st 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