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Origins of Karate-Do
The
exact origins of Karate are not really known,
mostly because in the past, the art was kept
secret from outsiders, and no written records
were ever kept. We do know the location,
however: a small country south of Japan,
formerly known as the Kingdom of the Ryukyus.
Today, it is known as the Okinawa Prefuncture.
Weapons Banned in the Ryukyus Until the
early fifteenth century, the Ryukyus were split
into three independent kingdoms - Chuzan,
Nanzan, and Hokuzan. These kingdoms were each
struggling with the other two for dominance,
until finally, Chuzan prevailed. The country was
united under its king, Sho Hashi [1372-1439],
who immediately after attaining power,
established a non-military government. He issued
an edict strictly prohibiting the possession of
weapons, and called together statesmen and
scholars from all over the nation to form a
truly centralized administration.
The
country lived in undisturbed peace for the next
two hundred years. Then, in 1609, the country
was attacked by the Shimazu (the military
governors of the Satsuma fief in southern
Kyushu, who considered the southern seas part of
their domain). During Japan's civil war period
[Sengoku, 1467-1568], the Shimazu forces had
acquired an unequaled reputation for valor and
ferocity. Only twenty or so years prior to their
attack on the Ryukyus, they had given the great
Imperial Regent, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, a very
difficult time in his attempts to unify Japan.
The
formidable Satsuma samurai met with remarkably
stiff resistance when they attacked the Ryukyus.
A direct frontal assault on the port of Naha,
the gateway to Okinawa, failed, and it was only
after a detached force of the Shimazu army
circled the island and made a surprise attack on
the unguarded port of Unten that the invaders
were finally able to gain a foothold. The
situation then took a sudden turn for the worse,
and Okinawa soon fell into Shimazu hands.
Under the Shimazu, weapons were again
banned, this time for the general populace and
the upper classes alike. Most historians agree
that Karate, the unique Okinawan form of
weaponless combat, owes its creation to this
second ban, because it forced the Ryukyus to
invent a means of unarmed self-defense. However,
some weaponless combat techniques must have been
practiced before the Satsuma invasion, and so it
is likely that this latest invasion simply
spurred refinement of already existing
techniques.
Origins of the Ryukyu's Unarmed
Techniques Since the Ryukyus were a tributary
state of China, there had been periods of
frequent contact between them and Fukien on the
mainland. It is quite reasonable that Chinese
kenpo [lit. "fist method"] had been imported
into the islands. Elements of kenpo were
probably adapted and incorporated into
indigenous fighting styles. Of course, some
kenpo styles may also have been passed down
intact, retaining their original forms. In this
manner the two precursors of Karate-do,
Okinawa-te and To-de, were eventually born. It
is quite reasonable to assume that To-de
referred to fighting forms embodying the Chinese
kenpo tradition, and Okinawa-te to native combat
techniques.
The
history of martial arts in China can be traced
back at least six thousand years. It is said
that during the reign of the mythological Yellow
Emperor [Huang-ti, ca. 2700 B.C.], soldiers
fought off barbarian insurgents with razor-sharp
swords. From then until the reign of King Wen
[Wen Wang], founder of the Chou dynasty [ca.
1027 B.C.], China was in an extremely turbulent
state, marked by ongoing warfare among nomadic
tribes.
During this period of strife, new
stratagems and fighting techniques were
constantly being invented out of a natural need
to overcome enemies on the battlefield. These
ancient fighting methods were systematized
primarily through the efforts of three men,
Ta-Shang Lao-ch'un, Ta-yi Chen-jen and Yuan
Shih-t'ien, who founded what could be called the
Three Primitive Schools of martial techniques.
Their systems were passed down through
generations of disciples, who added improvements
and eventually came up with the highly refined
techniques of today.
In
the Three Kingdoms period [A.D. 220-80], three
famous heroes, Kuan-yu, Chang Fei and Chao Yun,
were able to rise in the world and perform great
deeds for their countries through their prowess
in martial techniques. Especially notable was
Chao Yun, who, armed only with a spear, was able
to drive back throngs of foes and lead his
prince to safety. In succeeding periods, it
became axiomatic that the commanders of large
armies be men who excelled in the skills of
their trade and who were very clearheaded and
accomplished in strategy.
The
next millenium witnessed the gradual evolution
of two major styles: Shang Wu and Shaolin.
Throughout the Yuan [1279-1368], Ming
[1368-1644] and Ch'ing [1644-1912] dynasties,
adherents of the two styles competed in
polishing and perfecting them, in the process
forming a number of branch schools. Needless to
say, Shang Wu and Shaolin have their own
particular strengths and weaknesses, and it is
impossible to say which is superior. In China,
these arts were practiced openly, and by the end
of the Ch'ing dynasty they had become widely
diffused among the general population.
Eventually, they came to be looked upon with
pride as national traditions.
The
Shang Wu style founded by Chang-sen Feng places
primary emphasis on the power of ch'i (ki in
Japanese). T'ai ch'i, Hsing-i and Pa-kua are
good examples of schools exhibiting
characteristics of this style. In appearance,
their movements have in them an explosive power
which, applied correctly, can easily knock a man
down.
The
Shaolin style looks upon Ta-mo Lao-tsu
[Bodhidharma] as its founder. In this style,
which stresses the practical application of hand
and foot techniques for blocking and attacking,
are seen hard-soft and long-short techniques,
that is, both thrusting and short, snapping
techniques.
The
methods of training employed in the Shaolin
style teach how to strengthen the mind and body
according to the Ekikin and Senzui sutras.
Senzui refers to "washing away the dust of the
mind" to uncover its true light. Ekikin, which
is composed of characters reading eki ["change"]
and kin ["muscle"], means to "discipline and
toughen the body ". It is said that these two
sutras together give one the power to move
mountains and the ki to envelop the universe.
This
method of training was the original form of
training in the martial arts. The Shaolin style
of kenpo eventually spread throughout China and
it is still popular there today. It crossed the
sea to the Ryukyus, where it probably blended
with those indigenous forms it most closely
resembled.
The
Need for Secrecy With weapons banned, the
practice of weaponless combat methods was soon
shrouded in secrecy, for the Ryukyus were
understandably reluctant to have it known that
such things even existed. Fighting methods, and
especially matters pertaining to Karate
instruction and training, where kept carefully
concealed from the eyes of the Satsuma
suzerains.
This
practice is not confined to Karate; kendo and
many other martial arts share this
characteristic. However, the others pale in
comparison to the great lengths taken by the
Ryukyus to guard their art; which included a
self-imposed ban against keeping written
records. In the Meiji period [1868-1912], when
the need for concealment no longer existed, the
centuries-old tradition of keeping Karate
practice and instruction secret remained deeply
rooted among the people.
Virtually nothing is known about those
who created Karate and how it was transmitted
because of this secrecy. What little is known is
known only due to word of mouth, and even then
was kept exasperatingly vague. There were no
dojo like there are today and no professional
instructors. The famous teacher Matsumura was
a military officer serving the Ryukyuan king,
and Uehara, who is said to have challenged
Matsumura to
a match, was a metal craftsman. Master Azato,
who Funakoshi
trained under, was a tonochi, a position similar
to being lord of a small fief. Itosu, who
Funakoshi
learned the Heian, Tekki, and other kata from,
was the private secretary to the Ryukyuan king.
This
custom of secrecy persisted in Okinawa until the
1950's. This helps explain why there are such
widely different variations in what was
originally a single kata. In addition, there is
always the potential problem of a student's
misinterpreting a kata, thereby altering its
transmission and causing distortions.
. In
Okinawa 3 separate styles or Te emerged. These
styles are named for the regions in which they
were developed. The styles are
Shuri-Te,
Tomari-Te, and
Naha-Te. The differences in
these styles suggests influences from various
Chinese styles. Shuri-Te seems
to have incorporated the external system of
Shaolin boxing, while Naha-Te
incorporates internal Taoist techniques
(possibly Hsing-I or Pa-kua influence).
Tomari-Te seems to have had a
mix of both internal and external styles. The
Chinese arts were made and adopted uniquely by
the Okinawan people and are thus a separate
martial art stylistically.
The
Beginnings of Modern Karate-Do
In
1892, Ogawa Shintaro, the Prefectural
Commissioner of Education, invited Master
Itosu to
attend a meeting of school principals and to
lead his students in a demonstration of Karate.
The ministry immediately recognized the value of
Karate-Do training and granted permission to
include Karate in the physical education
programs of the First Public High School of
Okinawa and the Officer's Candidate School. This
is probably the first time that Karate-Do could
be openly practiced, but as implied above, the
need for secrecy was still very much ingrained
in the teachers even then.
In
May of 1922, Funakoshi was
asked to introduce Karate to Japan at large at
the First Annual Athletic Exhibition, held in
Ochanomizu. The demonstrations were very
successful, and Funakoshi spent a lot of time
travelling to demonstrate and teach Karate-Do to
all who asked him to do so. This is where Karate
truly became widespread as a martial art. After
this time, Kenwa Mabuni
travelled many times to Japan in an attempt to
spread his knowledge of the art. In 1928, he
moved to Osaka, Japan and started teaching
there. Around the same time, the Butokukai (the
governing body for martial arts in Japan at the
time) started registration for all Karate
schools. Master Mabuni named his style Hanko-Ryu
("half-hard style"), which he changed in the
1930's to Shito-Ryu in honor of his two foremost
teachers, Itosu and
Higashionna.
(The first kanji character in "Itosu" sounds
like "shi" and the one in "Higashionna" sounds
like "to". "Ryu" basically means "style" or
"school".)
Karate Styles
There are four major styles of Karate
today:-
Shito-ryu, was founded
by Kenwa Mabuni.(1887-1952) in 1928. It was influenced
directly by both Naha-te and Shuri-te
(Shorin-ryu and Shorei-ryu). The name Shito
is constructively derived from the
combination of the Japanese characters of
Mabuni's teachers' names - Yasutsune "Anko" Itosu and
Kanryo Higa'shi'onna.
Shito-ryu is fast, but is still powerful and
artistic. Shito-ryu schools use a large number
of kata, about fifty, and is characterized by an
emphasis on power in the execution of
techniques. Its kata include the same kata as
Shotokan-ryu and Goju-ryu, as well as some
artistic Chinese white crane kata such as
Nipaipo. Shito-ryu also practices with Kobudo
(weapon arts) and sometimes Iaido (sword arts)
as part of the style, which makes Shito-ryu
fairly unique among the modern Karate styles.
Shotokan-ryu, which was
founded by Gichin Funakoshi 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 was influenced directly by
Shuri-te (Shorin-ryu), and is characterized by
powerful linear techniques and deep strong
stances. This style was one of the first styles
to be introduced to
Japan in the 1920's. Powerful kata such as
Bassai (Shuri-te) are typical of this style.
Goju-ryu, which was
founded by Chojun Miyagi
(1888-1953). Its popularity due to the success
of Kanryo Higashionna
(1853-1915). Higashionna opened a dojo
in Naha using eight forms brought from
China. His student, Chojun Miyagi
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. It came from Shorei-ryu (from
Naha-te and Tomari-te), which utilize up and
down stances and internal breathing power (known
as "hard and soft" techniques). Kata such as
Sanchin (Naha-te) and Rohai (Tomari-te)
demonstrate this techniques well.
Wado-ryu, "way of
peace and harmony", founded by by
Hironori Ohtsuka, a
student of Gichin Funakoshi, in 1939. 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.
Wado kai or ryu
is one of the four major styles of karate
in Japan.
Trained in classical bujutsu
(the techniques of the samurai), Sensei
Ohtsuka applied this outlook and experience to
his teachings. Some of the harsher resistive or
hard contact elements of sparring technique,
typical of many karate styles, are not present
in Wado. Sensei Ohtsuka
rejected hardening certain parts of the body,
such as hand conditioning, as useless
preparation. The current head of Wado Kai karate
for North America is one of Ohtsuka Sensei's
senior students, Sensei Masaru Shintani.
The
aim of Wado karate is not merely perfection of
the physical techniques of self-defense, but,
the development of a mind that is tranquill yet
alive, able to react intuitively to any
situation. In Wado, as skill and knowledge are
aquired through training and concentrated
effort, the student is expected to develop inner
strength and calmness of character, as well as
the virtues of self-control, respect for others,
and true humility. Karate-do for Sensei Ohtsuka
is primarily a spiritual disipline.
Basic techniques - punching, kicking,
blocking, striking with open hand, joint
twisting, and trapping techniques - kata and
prearranged and free style sparring comprise the
training foundation of this style. Equally
fundamental to Wado is taisabaki, body shifting
to avoid the full brunt of an attack, a
technique derived from Japanese swordmanship.
Kumite (sparring) is usually judged on a point
system; one referee and four corner judges
determine which techniques are given a point. In
free sparring, there is no contact allowed to
the head, below the waist except for foot
sweeps, or to the spine; only light to medium
contact is allowed to the torso. Attacks to the
head and torso can all score points in a
tournament, therefore, Wado karate-ka tend to
fight with explosive, close movements with an
emphasis on well-controlled techniques.
Note:
It
may be noted that Yasutsune "Anko" Itosu and
Kanryu Higashionna are
the two most important name in the history of
modern Karate-do. The four major style of Modern
Japanese Karate:- Shito-ryu, Shotokan-ryu,
Goju-ryu, and Wado-ryu, can be traced to them .
Kenwa Mabuni
(1887-1952), the Shito-ryu
founder, was a student of both Yasutsune "Anko"
Itosu & Kanryu Higashionna.
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