The Definition of Karate

When one is asked the question: What is Karate?

What comes to mind to differentiate it from kickboxing or Chinese Kempo?

They are all martial arts, which employ punches and kicks, but there must be some essential difference between them.

Although we use the term “karate”, there is an extremely large number of “karates” that exist today. First off they can be divided by style. Beginning with the four major styles on the mainland, and the three major Okinawan styles, there are countless numbers of organizations that have arisen as styles have split or new branches of styles have been formed.

Then there are styles divided by rules. There are various competition rules, the main ones being “non-contact”, “full padding”, “full contact”, and “glove rules”, etc., and even those, which have added elements such as, mat techniques, etc.

There are so many variations in styles and rules that it is impossible to get a precise overall picture of karate. This phenomenon is not found in other martial arts such as Kendo and Judo. In fact it may be correct to say that there is no definition of karate. That, however makes it difficult to further discuss this topic, so for the purpose of this book, I would like to divide karate into the following categories. Okinawan karate before it was imported into the mainland of Japan, and the karate that was developed on the mainland after it was imported.

Also, since this book concentrates on the bunkai, or the use of katas as its main thrust, I will not include those new wave styles, which do not maintain the practice of kata. This book deals only with those styles which predominately practice Shuri style katas which were created in Okinawa.

While I realize that there are many different views and philosophies about martial arts and karate, I will use certain terms for the sake of practical expression and organization.

From a historical standpoint, this book will concentrate on karate after it was imported to the mainland. I will concentrate on other details elsewhere. I have also written about other martial arts, such as the traditional arts of jujutsu and kenjutsu, and the modern art of judo for the purpose of comparison. Karate has been influenced most, perhaps, by traditional martial arts, the best known being Shinkage Ryu Heiho (kenjutsu).

I will also refer to “shintai sousa” (proper body mechanics), which has received considerable attention recently, as “jutsu”, or a complete technique and the form of punches and kicks as “waza” as separate techniques. “Kata bunkai” refers to the use of kata.