HISTORY OF KARATE

Legend says that about 1,400 years ago a monk named daruma came to China from India and taught Buddhism. He also taught his disciples a weaponless combat technique for physical fitness and self-defense.

Typical characteristics of Chinese fighting styles are body shifting, circular or elliptical hand movement blocking, and low kicking. From these points one can sense the Chinese principle of harmony: "Do not fight directly with power against power;" rather, use "softness against hardness." These circular movements and low kicks tend to be practical and economical in terms of fighting.

The Chinese also utilized and adopted these arts for physical fitness. One of these styles, Tai-Chi-Chuan, attracts people who love harmony and tranquility. In Tai-Chi-Chuan, the same technique is practiced over and over again until it becomes second nature. Many Chinese styles emphasize "chi or ki (in Japanese) development for internal and external power.

 

ABOUT KARATE:-

The word karate comes from the two words "kara" (empty) and "te" (hand). Thus, karate is known as "empty-hand" and is considered the most efficient and effective way of unarmed combat. Karate itself teaches students to move quickly, block effectively, create strong stances and make powerful strikes using hands and feet. Karate was founded by Gichin Funakoshi (1868). Master Gichin Funakoshi, known all over the world as the Father of modern-day Karate-Do, brought this art from Okinawa to Japan. Sponsored by the Japan Ministry of Education, he gave exhibitions in 1917 and 1922 at physical education expositions all over Tokyo. The major universities invited him to set up Karate-Do teams and hundreds of people studied the art under his guidance, then Karate-Do has flourished to become the world's most popular martial art. Karate develops by training a person physically, mentally and spiritually. Mental and spiritual attitude toward karate, our opponent and also to our self is crucial. Karate was the elevation of the sprit and the practice of humanity. Now Karate has become a Sports activity in the world as Karate has been included in European Games, World Games, Asian Games, and SAARC Games, even in India Karate is included in National Games & State Games as a sports event, and Karate is also recognized by International Olympic Committee.

 

ABOUT KATA:-

Kata is pre-arranging series of movement practicing Kata is only way to make the practitioner perfect. In other word the kata means composition of steeps, stance, Blocking, Kicking, Jumping, flexibility, power, speed, accuracy and breathing techniques. Therefore, without the knowledge Kata Karate is imperfect. Though one who neglect the kata he/she neglecting the Karate. So, kata is heart of karate. Without the Kata, Karate cannot survive. And every kata has its specific “Bunkai”. Bunkai means application of kata, without the Bunkai, the Kata is like form of Dancing. Bunkai is the technical form one who understands he/she may develop their technique of Kata. So, “Kata” in one word is the pure form of Karate.

 

Today World Karate Federation which is recognized by International Olympic Committee the only body to conduct Karate Do Sports.

The World Karate Federation recognizes these styles of karate in its Kata list. 

• SHOTOKAN

• GOJU RYU

• SHITO RYU

• WADO RYU

 

Shotokan was founded by Gichin Funakoshi (1868-1957) in Tokyo in 1938. Funakoshi is considered to be the founder of modern karate. Born in Okinawa, he began to study karate with Yasutsune Azato, one of Okinawa's greatest experts in the art. In 1921 Funakoshi first introduced Karate to Tokyo. In 1936, at nearly 70 years of age, he opened his own training hall. The dojo was called Shotokan after the pen name used by Funakoshi to sign poems written in his youth. Shotokan Karate is characterized by powerful linear techniques and deep strong stances.

 

Goju-Ryu developed out of Naha-te, its popularity primarily due to the success of Kanryo Higaonna (1853-1915). Higaonna opened a dojo in Naha using eight forms brought from China. His best student, Chojun Miyagi (1888-1953) later founded Goju-ryu, 'hard soft way' in 1930. In Goju-ryu much emphasis is placed on combining soft circular blocking techniques with quick strong counter attacks delivered in rapid succession.

 

Shito-Ryu was founded by Kenwa Mabuni (1889-1952) in 1928 and was influenced directly by both Naha-te and Shuri-te. The name Shito is constructively derived from the combination of the Japanese characters of Mabuni's teachers' names - Ankoh Itosu and Kanryo Higaonna. Shito-ryu schools use a large number of kata, about fifty, and is characterized by an emphasis on power in the execution of techniques.

 

Wado-Ryu, 'way of harmony', founded in 1939 is a system of karate developed from jujitsu and karate by Hienori Otsuka as taught by one of his instructors, Gichin Funakoshi. This style of karate combines basic movements of jujitsu with techniques of evasion, putting a strong emphasis on softness and the way of harmony or spiritual discipline.

 

Mabuni Kenwa Sensei 

Sensei Kenwa Mabuni (1889-1952) initially studied from 1902 under Sensei Anko Itosu of Shuri, Okinawa from the age of 13. From Itosu Sensei he learnt numerous kata that were known for their quick & explosive techniques. In 1908 Mabuni's friend Chojun Miyagi recommended he come and also learn from his teacher Sensei Kanryo Higaonna of Naha, Okinawa. From Higoanna Sensei he learnt the powerful and circular techniques that later became the core of Sensei Miyagi's style (Goju-Ryu). 

 

In 1929 he moved to mainland Japan with his family and finally settled in Osaka. In 1934 he established his dojo the Yoshu-kan and in 1939 he formally registered his karate style as Shito-Ryu naming it after both the masters. The technical system of Shito-ryu is based on both Itosu and Higaonna teachings and also draws from other teachers that Mabuni Sensei had the honour of studying under.

 

Sakagami Ryusho Sensei 

Sensei Ryusho Sakagami (1915-1993), having studied Shito-Ryu under Sensei Mabuni for many years was presented with the 3rd Shito-Ryu Shihan licence by Mabuni Sensei in 1941. Sakagami Sensei received numerous commendations and was presented by the Japan Budo Society the Distinguished Service Award in a field of Budo on January 15th 1982. On August 19th 1992 the Japan Karatedo Rengokai bestowed upon him Karatedo 10th Dan. 

 

Unfortunately Sakagami Sensei passed away at the age of 78 on December 28th 1993. At the time of his passing he held the following qualifications, Kendo Hanshi 7th Dan, Jodo Kyoshi 7th Dan, Iaido Hanshi 8th Dan and Ryukyu Kobudo Hanshi Shihan 8th Dan. On 22nd June 1994 the JKF bestowed upon him Karatedo Hanshi 9th Dan posthumously. He produced many famous karate-ka during his time such as Suzuki-Shihan the founder of Seiko-Kai Shito-Ryu and Shihan Fumio Demura founder of Genbu-Kai Shito-Ryu.

 

Suzuki Seiko Sensei 

Seiko-Kai, a branch of the Shito-Ryu style, was founded by Soke Seiko Suzuki, of Shinkoiwa Tokyo. Suzuki Sensei commenced his training in Karate in 1954 under Sakagami Sensei. In 1957 Sakagami Sensei relocated from Tokyo to Yokohama and left Suzuki Sensei to run the Tokyo dojo. In 1963 he commenced study of Ryu Kyu Kobudo under Shinken Taira Sensei. In 1965 Sakagami Sensei presented Suzuki Sensei with his Karate-do Shihan certificate. In 1968 he was awarded 7th Dan Kyoshi in Kobudo by Shiken Taira Sensei.. 

 

Sensei Sakagami awarded him 8th Dan Hanshi in Itosu-Ryu in 1980. Subsequently in 1992, Sensei Suzuki was also awarded by the Japan Karate Rengo-Kai his 8th Dan “Hanshi” certificate. 

 

After Sensei Sakagami's passing in 1993, Suzuki Sensei decided to form his own organisation, the Suzuki-Ha Shito-Ryu Nihon Karatedo Seiko-Kai. 

 

Seikokai has its Sohombu (Headquarters) dojo located in Shinkoiwa, Tokyo Japan, there are Seikokai dojo in Canada, United States, Venezuela, Argentina, Ghana, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Philippines, Portugal, Germany, Switzerland, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Australia, Macau (China), Netherlands ,Bhutan and Pakistan