Karate
The word karate is a combination of two Japanese characters: kara,
meaning empty, and te, meaning hand; thus, karate literally means
"empty hand." Adding the suffix "do" (pronounced "doe"), meaning "way,"
karate-do or Karate-way implies karate as a total way of life that goes well
beyond the self-defense applications. In traditional karate-do, we always
keep in mind that the true opponent is oneself.
The word karate is a combination of two Japanese characters: kara,
meaning empty, and te, meaning hand; thus, karate literally means
"empty hand." Adding the suffix "do" (pronounced "doe"), meaning "way,"
karate-do or Karate-way implies karate as a total way of life that goes well
beyond the self-defense applications. In traditional karate-do, we always
keep in mind that the true opponent is oneself.
Black Tiger Shotokan
What is Karate?
Karate can be described as a martial art, or a fighting method, involving a
variety of hand and foot techniques or a combination of both. Those
techniques can include: blocks, strikes, evasions, throws, and joint
manipulations. Karate practice or training is divided into three aspects:
kihon, kata, and kumite.
What is Shotokan Karate?
Shotokan is a style of Japanese karate, developed from various martial arts
by Gichin Funakoshi (1868–1957), and his third son - Yoshitaka (Gigo)
Funakoshi (1906–1945).
Learning Shotokan Karate:
The following are the three fundamental types of training in Shotokan karate:
Kihon Waza: 'Kihon' means basic. 'Waza' means technique. Together, kihon
waza means isolating and studying the fundamental techniques of karate, the
building blocks for more complex training. When practicing kihon waza,
students are challenged to perfect individual elements of karate such as
balance, speed, power, focus, and correct form.
Kata: Kata Is detailed choreographed patterns of movements and
combinations of kihon waza in defined structured patterns. In kata, students
test their ability to perform kihon waza in sequences that further develop
mastery of balance, rhythm, and coordination. Changing tempo, changing
direction, examining elements of strategy and tactics, and using different
levels of speed, power, and focus are all part of kata practice.
Kumite: Kumite is controlled sparring, testing the quality of your techniques
in practice with a live partner. In kumite, weaknesses that are not observable
in solo practice are often revealed. Learning to properly control distance,
control timing, control targeting, and control the application of power are all
important parts of kumite practice. Kumite is always conducted under the
supervision of the instructor or an advanced, senior student.
Shotokan Karate founder, Gichin Funakoshi, said that: "mind and technique
become one in true karate. We strive to make our physical techniques pure
expressions of our mind's intention, and to improve our mind's focus by
understanding the essence of the physical techniques. By polishing our karate
practice we are polishing our own spirit or our own mentality. For example,
eliminating weak and indecisive movements in our karate helps to eliminate
weakness and indecision in our minds...and vice versa'.
Karate can be described as a martial art, or a fighting method, involving a
variety of hand and foot techniques or a combination of both. Those
techniques can include: blocks, strikes, evasions, throws, and joint
manipulations. Karate practice or training is divided into three aspects:
kihon, kata, and kumite.
What is Shotokan Karate?
Shotokan is a style of Japanese karate, developed from various martial arts
by Gichin Funakoshi (1868–1957), and his third son - Yoshitaka (Gigo)
Funakoshi (1906–1945).
Learning Shotokan Karate:
The following are the three fundamental types of training in Shotokan karate:
Kihon Waza: 'Kihon' means basic. 'Waza' means technique. Together, kihon
waza means isolating and studying the fundamental techniques of karate, the
building blocks for more complex training. When practicing kihon waza,
students are challenged to perfect individual elements of karate such as
balance, speed, power, focus, and correct form.
Kata: Kata Is detailed choreographed patterns of movements and
combinations of kihon waza in defined structured patterns. In kata, students
test their ability to perform kihon waza in sequences that further develop
mastery of balance, rhythm, and coordination. Changing tempo, changing
direction, examining elements of strategy and tactics, and using different
levels of speed, power, and focus are all part of kata practice.
Kumite: Kumite is controlled sparring, testing the quality of your techniques
in practice with a live partner. In kumite, weaknesses that are not observable
in solo practice are often revealed. Learning to properly control distance,
control timing, control targeting, and control the application of power are all
important parts of kumite practice. Kumite is always conducted under the
supervision of the instructor or an advanced, senior student.
Shotokan Karate founder, Gichin Funakoshi, said that: "mind and technique
become one in true karate. We strive to make our physical techniques pure
expressions of our mind's intention, and to improve our mind's focus by
understanding the essence of the physical techniques. By polishing our karate
practice we are polishing our own spirit or our own mentality. For example,
eliminating weak and indecisive movements in our karate helps to eliminate
weakness and indecision in our minds...and vice versa'.
Karate Training:
"To train means to arrange ones life around activities you can do that will
enable you, over a period of time, to do what you cannot do by direct effort
alone. Training, in Karate, is an indispensable ingredient for pursuing
personal transformation".
Karate training today is much different than what is was when it was first
conceived. Today, some will say Karate is a sport. Others will say it is an art
form. Karate means different things to different people, so I believe that
somewhere in the middle is what Karate truly is today. Here are some things
to consider:
Self Defense is one of the foremost reasons many people begin their Karate
training. With regular training Karate will give you a much better chance to
defend yourself, in the unfortunate event that you are attacked or otherwise
provoked to defend yourself. Confidence develops naturally with correct
and regular training. However, I always encourage my students to first
seek other alternatives to physical confrontation if provoked.
Health and Fitness are natural results of regular and correct Karate training.
Proper technique, through regular, systematic, conscientious training is the
key to success in Karate. A person’s size, sex and muscular strength are not
important. Everyone can benefit from Karate training.
Generally, age is also of no concern in Karate training. Over the years I have
known and trained with students raging in age from 4 to 65 years and have
known the black belt to be awarded to students older than that.
We don't believe that the age of a person is detrimental to training in Karate.
Of course as with any physical activity there are things to consider and it is
always prudent to let your doctor know of your intent to begin martial arts
training, regardless of age.
Sensei
"To train means to arrange ones life around activities you can do that will
enable you, over a period of time, to do what you cannot do by direct effort
alone. Training, in Karate, is an indispensable ingredient for pursuing
personal transformation".
Karate training today is much different than what is was when it was first
conceived. Today, some will say Karate is a sport. Others will say it is an art
form. Karate means different things to different people, so I believe that
somewhere in the middle is what Karate truly is today. Here are some things
to consider:
Self Defense is one of the foremost reasons many people begin their Karate
training. With regular training Karate will give you a much better chance to
defend yourself, in the unfortunate event that you are attacked or otherwise
provoked to defend yourself. Confidence develops naturally with correct
and regular training. However, I always encourage my students to first
seek other alternatives to physical confrontation if provoked.
Health and Fitness are natural results of regular and correct Karate training.
Proper technique, through regular, systematic, conscientious training is the
key to success in Karate. A person’s size, sex and muscular strength are not
important. Everyone can benefit from Karate training.
Generally, age is also of no concern in Karate training. Over the years I have
known and trained with students raging in age from 4 to 65 years and have
known the black belt to be awarded to students older than that.
We don't believe that the age of a person is detrimental to training in Karate.
Of course as with any physical activity there are things to consider and it is
always prudent to let your doctor know of your intent to begin martial arts
training, regardless of age.
Sensei
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