The History of Karate

To understand the history of karate, we firstly need to talk about a monk. If you have already done some research in to where and how karate evolved, you would have heard about a Buddhist monk called Bodhidharma.

 Bodhidharma was an Indian Buddhist monk, and it is believed that he is the creator for all martial arts styles.

 The myth of how martial arts, started over a thousand years ago, around the fifth century BC when Bodhidharma arrived in China at a small forest temple. Whilst at this temple, he taught the local monks about Zen Buddhism to strengthen their minds and incorporated a grueling training programme for their week bodies. After many training sessions it was clear that the monks were far too weak and could not cope.

The exercises from Bodhidharma were believed to be the makings of Shaolin boxing and from the teachings of Shaolin boxing, it appeared that this was to be the basis for all Chinese martial arts.

Karate’s history on the other hand appears to be somewhat vague, and very little is known about the early development of karate, until it emerged suddenly in Okinawa. It was said that many styles evolved in Okinawa as this was the main trade route for south eastern Asia, trading with Japan, China, Indo China, Thailand, Malaysia, Borneo and the Philippines and having word of Shaolin boxing from china, people were keen to demonstrate what they knew.  

In the early stages of karate, which was known as Te, meaning hand in Okinawa. A weapons ban was imposed by the government on the villagers at various times in their history. Due to the weapon bans, a form of unarmed combat started to evolve using empty handed techniques in secret.

Te continued to develop over the years, within three Okinawan cities: Shuri, Naha and Tomari. Gradually, the three cities, merged their teachings and two forms of karate emerged.  Shorin-ryu which developed around Shuri and Tomari and Shorei-ryu which came from the Naha. It was then later that Gichin Funakoshi, spread the art of karate to Japan.