what is karate?

Answer 1

Karate (lit. "empty hand") is a martial art of Ryukyuan origin. Recent research indicates that it developed from a synthesis of indigenous Ryukyuan fighting methods and southern Chinese martial arts.[citation needed] Kara (空:から) means (among other things) empty, and te (手:て) means hand. Karate is known primarily as a striking art, featuring punching, kicking, knee/elbow strikes and open handed techniques. However, grappling, joint manipulations, locks, restraints, throws and vital point striking are inherent to the art. Alternately, some modern schools of karate refer to their art as karatedō (空手道:からてどう), or literally "way of empty hand."

Answer 2

Karate: two Japanese Kanji, Kara meaning open or empty, and Te meaning hand.

it is the generalized name for the striking (kicking or punching)Martial Arts that were developed in Japan. and there are several different disciplines within this group

it originally came from China around the 16th century or earlier, and is regarded as a well balanced discipline using the hand and foot techniques almost equally much like the Chines disciplines of Kung Fu.

these disciplines were taught to people or even soldiers that defended the ruling classes of early Japan, until late in the 20th century when American or British soldiers learned from their time spent in Japan and bringing what they learned back to their respective homes, but also many other teachers came from Japan to teach Karate or Budo as it is often referred to from the code of the Samurai, Bushido.

Unfortunately, Karate has been used to define ALL Martial Arts, when in fact it is only a small part of the different disciplines out there and their respective countries they were developed in.

Answer 3

Karate is a form of empty hand combat from Okinawa.
It is a mix of Te (an older Okinawan art) and Southern White Crane Kung-fu. Originally Karate meant "chinese hand" , Funakoshi later changed this to "empty hand" so the Japanese would not reject it for being Chinese.

Answer 4

Karate is fighting with free hands

Answer 5

Originally came from Chinese ideagram prounced Tang Shao Tao in China meaning "way of the hands of Tang. The Japanese made slight modifications so it now means "empty hands". Originally from Okinawa where the natives needed to be able to defend themselves in the face of Japanese imposed bans on weaponry. Okinawan schools include Isshin Ryu, Gojo Ryu & Shorin Ryu. The Japanese took it home & claimed it as theirs. Most of the strange looking martial arts weapons are of Okinawan orgin & are derived from farm tools, for example:
Nunchucks- used to pound grain into flour.
Sai- handheld pitchfork.
Kama- sickle.

The truth is that there were no Japanese weaponless martial arts untill the mid 1800's.

Answer 6

karate is just a form of martial arts that focuses on the arms more then the legs. it originated in china and japan

Answer 7

A Fighting Art.

Answer 8

It means open open hand in japanese even though we use weapons occasionally. It is a martial art where you need balance, strength, discipline and self control. You use all parts of your body and you need physical and mental capacity. you can email my big sis @ [e-mail] if you have more questions

Answer 9

a style of chinese martial arts that uses both legs and arms to attack and defend. karate helps you self-defend yourself. i take it, but my class doesn't teach just karate. hope this helps!

Answer 10

A relatively easy focus of the mind and body in the form of technique, posture, and moves that differ between your ranks in knowing the art.