Karate, the Japanese word for “empty hands,” was born in the Okinawan Islands as a form of self-defense, at a time when weapons were banned by invading Japanese forces. It began as te (hand), a fighting style used by the natives of the Ryukyu Islands, and was later influenced by Chinese kenpō, introduced through the Chinese families that settled on Okinawa after trade relationships between China and the islands were established.

Where Karate Began

From three Okinawan cities (Shuri, Naha, Tomari), each closely spaced but with very different societal demands, three separate styles emerged:

Shuri-te
Naha-te
Tomari-te

Collectively, these styles were called Okinawa-te or tode (Chinese hand), and over time, the styles merged slightly to become just two: Shōrin-ryū, developed near Shuri and Tomari, and Shōrei-ryū, near Naha. 

Because of increasing Japanese influence, the label of te was eventually lengthened to karate-jutsu (Chinese hand art). It then changed to karate-do after an Okinawan master altered the meaning of the word kara (also pronounced tode) to mean “empty” rather than “Chinese hand.” karate-do translates into “the way of the empty hand.”

Common Beliefs about Karate

Very little is known of the exact origins of karate before it appeared in Okinawa, but one popular theory states that it came from India over a thousand years ago, brought to China by a Buddhist monk called Bodhidarma (“daruma” in Japanese). As legend describes it, Bodhidarma arrived in Shaolinsi and began teaching Zen Buddhism as well, a style of temple boxing based on exercises designed to strengthen the mind and body. The historical accuracy of this legend is still a hot issue of debate today.

Significant Dates

1905: Karate is included in Okinawa’s physical education programs at the intermediate level.
1917: Funakoshi gives the first public demonstration of karate-do.
1922: Funakoshi is invited by Dr. Jano Kano to give a demonstration at the Kodokan Dojo, bringing karate-do to Japan.
1924:  The first university karate club is established in Japan, at Keio University.
1930s: Karate makes its way to Canada.
1936:   Okinawan masters meet to discuss karate in Okinawa, a meeting sponsored by the newspaper Ryukyu Shimpo.
1939:   Japan opens Shoto-Kan, its first formal training school.
1945:   The first dojo is opened in the United States.
1949:   The Japan Karate Association is formed.
1950s:  Karate is introduced in the United Kingdom.
1960s:  Karate makes its way to the Soviet Union and is banned and unbanned several times over the next three decades.
1964:  France Shotokan Karate is created in France.
1989:  Karate is legalised once again in the Soviet Union.

Significant Historical Figures

Gichin Funakoshi:    Founder of Shotokan.
Dr. Jano Kano:    Founder of Japanese judo.
Sakukawa Kanga:    One of the first Okinawans to study in China.
Itosu Anko:    Often called the “grandfather of karate,” brought karate to Okinawan schools and simplified it for increased public acceptance.
Chojun Miyagi:    Named the Gōjū-ryū style.
Hironori Otsuka:    Founder of the Wadō-ryū style.
Kenwa Mabuni:    Founder of the Shitō-ryū style.

Modern Karate

Today, karate-do is taught all around the world, and though it is often modified and always changing, four distinctive Japanese styles have emerged:

Gōju-ryū
Shitō-ryū
Shotokan
Wadō-ryū