| :: Okinawan Karate :: |
It is said that the traditional Okinawan martial arts called Te and Chinese Kenpo were blended
together and developed into karate. Karate later underwent significant developments in Okinawa
based on several factors, including the policy of banning weapons following the political centralization
of King Shoshin (1477-1526) and the Satsuma Clan's invasion of Ryukyu (1609).
It later developed further through a process of systematization into 'Modern Karate', which actually
had a lot to do with the efforts of the men known as the Chuko no so (The Revivers), including Sokon
Matsumura (1828-1898) of the Shuri-te style, Kosaku Matsumora (1829-1898) of the Tomari-te style
and Kanryo Higaonna (1853-1915) of the Naha-te style.
In 1908, 'The 10 Articles of Karate' prepared by Anko Itosu were submitted to the Educational Affairs
Section of Okinawa Prefecture. After that, karate started being introduced into the school gymnastics
curriculum, thus acquiring broad accessibility, in contrast to the previously secret principles of
Isshi-soden (the complete transmission of a ryu's techniques only to your heir).
Back In the early 20th century, karate began to be introduced throughout Japan by several master,
including Gichin Funakoshi (1871-1954, Founder of Shotokan-ryu), Kenwa Mabuni (1891-1952,
Founder of Shito-ryu;), Kanbun Uechi (1877-1948, Founder of Uechi-ryu;) and Chojun Miyagi
(1888-1953, Founder of Goju-ryu). Also throughout Okinawa, karate was taught by masters such as
Chotoku Kyan (1870-1945), Choki Motobu (1870-1941) and Choshin Chibana (1885-1969, Founder
of Shorin-ryu).
It has been said that the original name of Todi was changed to the name 'karate' (empty hand)
around this time.
Karate began spreading around the world after the war. The biggest contributors were the many
emigrants who went to live abroad full of ambition, and the U.S. military personnel occupying Japan at
the time.
In 1969, karate-ka were invited from Okinawa to give a demonstration at the 1st All Japan Karate
Championship Tournament held at the Nihon Budokan in Tokyo. Then in 1984, Tsuguo Sakumoto
(Ryuei-ryu) won the Men's Division of the 7th World Karate-do Championship, held in the
Netherlands. In 1987, Okinawa achieved both Men's & Women's overall victories in the Karate-do
Division of the 42nd National Sports Festival (the Autumn Session, known as Kaiho-Kokutai)
Today, the young karate-ka who will be the leaders in the 21st century are boldly challenging national
tournaments and world championships, and constantly topping the list of winners.
together and developed into karate. Karate later underwent significant developments in Okinawa
based on several factors, including the policy of banning weapons following the political centralization
of King Shoshin (1477-1526) and the Satsuma Clan's invasion of Ryukyu (1609).
It later developed further through a process of systematization into 'Modern Karate', which actually
had a lot to do with the efforts of the men known as the Chuko no so (The Revivers), including Sokon
Matsumura (1828-1898) of the Shuri-te style, Kosaku Matsumora (1829-1898) of the Tomari-te style
and Kanryo Higaonna (1853-1915) of the Naha-te style.
In 1908, 'The 10 Articles of Karate' prepared by Anko Itosu were submitted to the Educational Affairs
Section of Okinawa Prefecture. After that, karate started being introduced into the school gymnastics
curriculum, thus acquiring broad accessibility, in contrast to the previously secret principles of
Isshi-soden (the complete transmission of a ryu's techniques only to your heir).
Back In the early 20th century, karate began to be introduced throughout Japan by several master,
including Gichin Funakoshi (1871-1954, Founder of Shotokan-ryu), Kenwa Mabuni (1891-1952,
Founder of Shito-ryu;), Kanbun Uechi (1877-1948, Founder of Uechi-ryu;) and Chojun Miyagi
(1888-1953, Founder of Goju-ryu). Also throughout Okinawa, karate was taught by masters such as
Chotoku Kyan (1870-1945), Choki Motobu (1870-1941) and Choshin Chibana (1885-1969, Founder
of Shorin-ryu).
It has been said that the original name of Todi was changed to the name 'karate' (empty hand)
around this time.
Karate began spreading around the world after the war. The biggest contributors were the many
emigrants who went to live abroad full of ambition, and the U.S. military personnel occupying Japan at
the time.
In 1969, karate-ka were invited from Okinawa to give a demonstration at the 1st All Japan Karate
Championship Tournament held at the Nihon Budokan in Tokyo. Then in 1984, Tsuguo Sakumoto
(Ryuei-ryu) won the Men's Division of the 7th World Karate-do Championship, held in the
Netherlands. In 1987, Okinawa achieved both Men's & Women's overall victories in the Karate-do
Division of the 42nd National Sports Festival (the Autumn Session, known as Kaiho-Kokutai)
Today, the young karate-ka who will be the leaders in the 21st century are boldly challenging national
tournaments and world championships, and constantly topping the list of winners.
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