The Japanese Art of Karate



Posted: Saturday, June 06, 2009

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Ultimate Language Store

Karate is a martial art originating in the Japanese territory known as the Ryukyu Islands. It includes a variety of techniques includig punching, kicking, knee and elbow strikes and open-handed techniques such as knife-hands and ridge-hands. Grappling, locks, throws, and point strikes are also taught in some styles and in some schools. Karate students are sometimes referred to as a karateka.

Karate began as a fighting system referred to as "ti.After trading contacts were established with the Ming dynasty of China by King Satto of Chkon who lived till the end of the 19th century taught a synthesis of te and Shaolin styles. Matsumura's style and techniques would eventually develop into the Sh karate style.

Gichin Funakoshi, founder of Shotokan karate, is generally credited with having popularized karate on the Japanese mainland though the spread is more likely through many Okinawans who were actively teaching, and are thus equally responsible for the popularization of karate.

Funakoshi was a disciple of both Asato Ank who had worked to introduce karate to the Okinawa Prefectural School System. During this time period, prominent teachers who also influenced the spread of karate in Japan included Kenwa Mabuni, Chjun Miyagi, Motobu Chki, Kanken Tyama, and Kanbun Uechi.

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Jacob Lumbroso is a black belt in Hapkido and has studied Ju-Jitsu and Tae Kwon Do. Extreme Brazilian Ju-Jitsu offers Karate training DVDs, Karate uniforms, and equipment.
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