Karate, Shotokan, and Gear
Karate as a form of martial arts was founded in Japan during the late 14th century. In that time a group of Chinese families moved to Okinawa, Japan to foster cultural exchange. They brought with them the tradition of Chinese martial arts training. In fact the word karate in original Japanese meant Chinese hand, because of the hand to hand style of combat it taught.
Gichin Funakoshi is the man generally credited with taking the art of shotokan karate from local practice into a national lifestyle. During the time he was attempting to mainstream karate Japan was embroiled in a war with China. Funakoshi knew that the Japanese people would never accept a fighting style named after the enemy, and so he changed the meaning of the word karate from Chinese hand, to empty hand. Thus he emphasized the weaponless nature of karate, and made it an honorable practice in Japanese culture.
By the end of Funakoshi’s lifetime karate had been nationally recognized as a style of martial arts by Japan. This style focused on strikes; with hands, elbows, knees, or feet as the points of contact. It also made the transition from a simple fighting style or “jujitsu” into a path to enlightenment or self awareness or “do” (pronounced like doe). This karate-do was the first branching of the style, but many more were to follow. In traditional karate-do there was no sparring. This was a lack that Hironori Ohtsuka- a student of Funakoshi, felt keenly. He developed the practice of Kumite, literally translated as “the meeting of hands” as a way to apply karate martial techniques to real life situations.
Karate spread to the United States after World War II, from the US military men who were stationed in Japan. During the war they were impressed by the Japanese military’s hand-to-hand combat skills; and in the post war occupation many soldiers learned karate from the local masters. When the soldiers were sent home they brought the practice of karate to their communities, and it has taken root here.
With the growth of western karate came the metamorphosis of karate into a sport. While some traditional masters felt this competitive aspect went against the teachings of karate it has undeniably broadened its appeal. With the introduction of the competitive nature of sporting the practice of awarding belts for levels of achievement became formalized. Prior to this belts were given, but it was at the sole discretion of individual masters.
The “gear” used in karate is very simple. A traditional uniform commonly called the keikogi, or gi in short is worn. They are open garments usually consisting of a long sleeve top and pants affixed with a sash, or belt. The color of the belt signifies what level of achievement the wearer has attained.
There are two distinct sub-sets of rank within karate and most other martial arts. There are the kyo, or lower ranks. Traditionally there are ten steps within the kyo ranks; some schools award a different colored belt for each step. Other schools feel that colored belts are a frivolous distraction and keep the white belt of a novice throughout the kyo ranks. Once one has ascended through the kyo ranks they can achieve the first rank of dan, usually accompanied by a black belt. This is far from the end of a practitioner’s learning however, as there are ten ranks of dan as well, and a first ranked dan is considered little more than a novice by those higher up. Tenth rank dan is an extremely rare honor, usually awarded to grand masters who have made great contribution to the art in their life. This award is often made posthumously.
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