What does the word " Karate" mean?

Answer 1

The word "karate" originally comes from the Okinawan pronunciation of the kanji characters "kara"(唐) which means Tang dynasty or simply China, and "te"(手) meaning hand:

* 唐手 "karate"

The meaning of "Chinese hand" or "Tang hand," “Chinese fist” or "Chinese techniques," reflected the documented Chinese influence on Karate. However in 1933, following Japan's invasion of eastern China Gichin Funakoshi (known as the father of modern karate) began using a homonym of the kanji character "kara" by replacing the character meaning "Tang Dynasty"(唐) with the character meaning "empty"(空). This followed the so-called Meeting of the Masters in October of 1936, which included Chojun Miyagi, Chomo Hanashiro, Kentsu Yabu, Chotoku Kyan, Genwa Nakasone, Choshin Chibana, Choryo Maeshiro and Shinpan Shiroma (Gusukuma). Since this 1933-1936 period, the word pronounced "karate" has almost universally referred to the written kanji characters meaning "empty hand"(空手) rather than "Chinese hand"(唐手). It is also probable that this change originated several years earlier in Okinawa, since Hanashiro Chomo uses the "empty hand" writing form already in his 1905 publication "Karate Shoshu Hen".

* 空手 "karate"

The term "empty hand" has often been interpreted as containing Japanese Zen principles that go beyond the obvious inference that the practitioner carries no weapon. The Zen process of emptying the heart and mind of earthly desire and vanity for oneself through perfection of one's art. Some readings of this new ideogram refer to rendering oneself empty or egoless, leading to further development of spiritual insight. Funakoshi stated that the actual meaning of his writings are as follows: "As a mirror's polished surface reflects whatever stands before it and a quiet valley carries even small sounds, so must the student of Karate-Dō render of their mind empty of selfishness and wickedness in an effort to react appropriately toward anything they might encounter."

Although such philosophies have been inspirational to many generations of karate students; removing an explicit reference to China in the art's name may have been a politically shrewd move more than anything else given the nationalistic political climate of Imperial Japan in the 1930s.

* 空手道 "karate-dō"

The "do" suffix is used for various martial arts that survived Japan's turbulent transition from feudal culture to "modernity," and implies that they are not just techniques for fighting, but have spiritual elements when pursued as disciplines. In this circumstance it is usually translated as "the way of" (cf. Aikido, Judo and Kendo). Thus, "karate-do" is "the way of the empty hand".
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Answer 2

What Does Karate Mean

Answer 3

Kara = empty
Te = hand or arm

So in turn, Karate means, empty hand or unarmed.

Basically, it meant those in the Ryuku Islands (modern day Okinawa) that were not permitted to wear swords or conduct in modern warfare whilst under Japanese militarial rule.

Though, it's not 100% truly unarmed. Karate conducts training in the art of the stave or bo, nunchaku, sai, kama, and the Isshin-Ryu version of the Kusarigama (which varies greatly both in construction and usage.)

Hope that helps!

Answer 4

Kara-te
Kara originally meant Chinese. When the art moved from Okinawa to Japan Gichin Funakoshi wisely changed the meaning to "void".
The kanji symbol means both Chinese and void. Funakoshi changed it because the Japanese had a historical distaste for China and coincidentally they also had a fascination with the concept of "void". I will not go into the "void concept as it is quite deep. Many people will tell you that "Kara" means empty and that is not entirely correct. It means void, which is a much larger concept than "empty".
Te means hand it is also the name of an older Okinawan art than evolved into karate.
Karate means Chinese hand or void hand, depending on how you interpret it.

Answer 5

The word karate is a combination of two Japanese characters: kara, meaning empty, and te, meaning hand; thus, karate means "empty hand."

Answer 6

karate means 'with hand" . There is another version that people say it means 'chinese hand'. Thats all i kno about it. An additional info - judo means ''with foot''. The main idea behind karate is self defence; thus u never see a karate master attacking first.

Answer 7

Karate means "Empty Hand"!
It does not mean Chinese hand or anything else. It's called empty hand because it's the art that was taught to soldiers and Samuri to use when they lost their weapon on the battlefield.

Answer 8

Bare hands

Answer 9

NO,NO,its pronounced "Karate"

Answer 10

Miyagi father, called it ka-rah-te, meaning empty hand.
Before that, it was just te, hand.
in okinawa, all miyagi know 2 things, fish and karate.
NOW SHOW ME SAND THE FLOOR