What Is The Meaning Of Word Karate

Understanding the Word Karate

The word Karate can be split into "Kara" and "te". "Kara" refers to China itself and "te" means hand. Kara also means open hand, which is why karate is practiced with an open hand. As the word "Kara" means China itself, it is obvious that the art has Chinese influences. Originally, karate meant tang hand or Chinese hand, which later acquired the meaning of empty hand in Japanese. It was after the 1933 invasion of Eastern China by Japan that Gichin Funakoshi, popularly known as father of modern karate, gave an identical meaning of Kara as emptiness, rather than Chinese. Thereafter karate came to be known as a martial art practiced with empty or bare hands. It is the art of kicking, striking with knees, elbows and, of course, the use of open bare hands. Locking, throwing, striking the vital parts of the body, grappling and restraining oneself are also part of karate.

Commonly identified with Japan, karate is actually a martial art of Okinawa origin. History of karate shows that it is a mixture of indigenous Ryukyuan fighting techniques and southern China martial arts.

Karate Training

Modern karate training is divided into two basics known as Kihon in Japanese: forms, called Kata, and sparring, called Kumite. Kihon involve the basic techniques of punching, footwork and posture, particularly with reference to the placing of the feet. Normally, the public is under the impression that this is what karate is, but there is much more to it. Kata is the practice of various forms of movements and other techniques that display different physical and combat postures. It also demonstrates the sequences involved in various types of attacks. Sparring allows students of karate to practice in a relaxed manner. There are different sparring practices which allow the attacker and the defender to acquire the basic skills. In sparring, protective gear is not required but is recommended to be worn for the safety of the participants.

The various sequences, movements and postures of karate were developed during the period when literacy in Okinawa and China was low. Therefore, more emphasis was put on the physique of the individual. There are no set patterns, which can be considered right or wrong, and their interpretation is a matter of judgment with each individual. The various forms of kata may be interpreted as a block, punch, lock, throw or a joint strike.

Karate Conditioning Equipment

The many styles of karate use different training equipment to cater to the special needs of the martial art. The equipment is known as "hojo undo" in Japanese. Some of this equipment is makiwara, chi-ishi and nigiri game. Chi-ishi is a weight which is off-center and nigiri game are jars used to strengthen the grip.

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