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= Karate =

(空手) ||||~
 * ~  || //Karate-dō// (空手道) ||
 * ~  || //Karate-dō// (空手道) ||

=**Karate** (空手 ) ( Japanese pronunciation: is a [|martial art] developed in the [|Ryukyu Islands] in what is now [|Okinawa], [|Japan] . It was developed from indigenous fighting methods called **te** (手 , literally "hand"; //Tii// in Okinawan) and [|Chinese] [|kenpō] . Karate is a striking art using punching, [|kicking] , knee and [|elbow strikes] , and open-handed techniques such as knife-hands. [|Grappling] , locks, restraints, throws, and [|vital point strikes] are taught in some styles. A karate practitioner is called a **karateka** (空手家 ).= =Karate was developed in the [|Ryukyu Kingdom] prior to its 19th-century annexation by Japan. It was brought to the Japanese mainland in the early 20th century during a time of cultural exchanges between the Japanese and the Ryukyuans. In 1922 the [|Japanese Ministry of Education] invited [|Gichin Funakoshi] to [|Tokyo] to give a karate demonstration. In 1924 [|Keio University] established the first university karate club in Japan and by 1932, major Japanese universities had karate clubs. In this era of escalating [|Japanese militarism], the name was changed from 唐手 ("Chinese hand" or "Tang hand" verbatim, as the name of the [|Tang dynasty] was a synonym to China in Okinawa) to 空手 ("empty hand") – both of which are pronounced //karate// – to indicate that the Japanese wished to develop the combat form in Japanese style. After the [|Second World War], [|Okinawa] became an important [|United States] military site and karate became popular among servicemen stationed there.= =The martial arts movies of the 1960s and 1970s served to greatly increase its popularity and the word karate began to be used in a generic way to refer to all striking-based [|Oriental] martial arts. Karate schools began appearing across the world, catering to those with casual interest as well as those seeking a deeper study of the art.= = [|Shigeru Egami], Chief Instructor of Shotokan Dojo, opined "that the majority of followers of karate in overseas countries pursue karate only for its fighting techniques ... Movies and television ... depict karate as a mysterious way of fighting capable of causing death or injury with a single blow ... the mass media present a pseudo art far from the real thing." [|Shoshin Nagamine] said "Karate may be considered as the conflict within oneself or as a life-long marathon which can be won only through self-discipline, hard training and one's own creative efforts."= =For many practitioners, karate is a deeply philosophical practice. Karate-do teaches ethical principles and can have spiritual significance to its adherents. Gichin Funakoshi ("Father of Modern Karate") titled his autobiography //Karate-Do: My Way of Life// in recognition of the transforming nature of karate study. Today karate is practiced for self-perfection, for cultural reasons, for self-defense and as a sport. In 2005, in the 117th IOC (__ [|International Olympic Committee] __) voting, karate did not receive the necessary two thirds majority vote to become an [|Olympic sport] .=

Practice
=onal karate places emphasis on self development (budō). Modern Japanese style training emphasizes the psychological elements incorporated into a proper //kokoro// (attitude) such as perseverance, fearlessness, virtue, and leadership skills. Sport karate places emphasis on exercise and competition. Weapons (// [|kobudō] //) is important training activity in some styles.= =Karate training is commonly divided into // [|kihon] // (basics or fundamentals), // [|kata] // (forms), and // [|kumite] // (sparring).= = Kihon  = =Karate styles place varying importance on kihon. Typically this is performance in unison of a technique or a combination of techniques by a group of karateka. Kihon may also be prearranged drills in smaller groups or in pairs.= = Kata  = =ain article: [|Karate kata] = =Kata ( [|型] :かた) means literally "shape" or "model." Kata is a formalized sequence of movements which represent various offensive and defensive postures. These postures are based on idealized combat applications.= =Some kata use low and wide stances. This practice develops leg strength, correct posture, and gracefulness. Vigorous arm movements enhance cardiovascular fitness and upper body strength. Kata vary in number of movements and difficulty. The longer kata require the karateka to learn many complex movements. Diligent training and correct mindfulness lead to real understanding of combat principles.= =Physical routines were a logical way to preserve this type of knowledge. The various moves have multiple [|interpretations] and applications. Because the applicability for actual self-defense is so flexible there is no definitively correct way to interpret all kata. That is why only high ranking practitioners are qualified to judge adequate form for their own style. Some of the criteria for judging the quality of a performance are: Absence of missteps; correct beginning and especially ending; crispness and smoothness; correct speed and power; confidence; and knowledge of application. Kata with the same name are often performed differently in other styles of karate. Kata are taught with minor variations among schools of the same style. Even the same instructor will teach a particular kata slightly differently as the years pass.= =To attain a formal rank the karateka must demonstrate competent performance of specific required kata for that level. The Japanese terminology for grades or ranks is commonly used. Requirements for examinations vary among schools.= = A demonstration of kata's practicality performed by Japan's male national team  =

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