A Short History of Karate - Tracing the Origins and Evolution of a Martial Art

Introduction

Originating from the island of Okinawa, Japan, karate has grown from a form of self-defence to a global sport and cultural practice.

Early Origins

The roots of karate can be traced back to the Ryukyu Kingdom, which is now Okinawa, during the 14th century. The Ryukyu Islands were a hub for trade with China and Southeast Asia, allowing for the exchange of ideas and martial traditions. The indigenous fighting style, called "te" (meaning "hand"), was based on white crane kung fu from Fujian province in China, a place that traded closely with Okinawa.

Development in Okinawa

Okinawan martial arts continued to evolve over the centuries, particularly during periods when weapons were banned by local rulers. This led practitioners to focus on empty-hand techniques for self-defence.

By the 19th century, different styles had emerged, notably Shuri-te, Naha-te, and Tomari-te, named after the regions of Okinawa where they developed. These styles incorporated strikes, defences, and some basic kicks. As Okinawa was largely Zen Buddhist, this philosophy became a part of the ethos of Karate.

Transition to Japan

In the early 20th century, Japan was undergoing a massive change in culture during the Meiji

restoration. Japan had realised in the 1860’s that it had fallen behind the powerful western nations. Armaments, ships, technology of the west was far beyond what the proud culture could compete with. The Tokugawa Shogunate had largely closed itself off from the world for 400 years, and so Japan was still a medieval culture.

Japan needed to catch up with the west. It felt left behind. Its once proud culture could no longer be considered strong and its war-like, traditional culture, was now puny in comparison to the Industrial west.

The Tokugawa shogunate was replaced by the Meiji Shogunate, who set about industrialising Japan. As part of this, Japan, feeling weak and lost, its people unsettled by their new position in the world, decided to show that their culture still had something to offer the new world. Japan quickly industrialised itself with the help of western investment and redefined its culture. The samurai, for so long a symbol of Japan’s power, were now seen as outdated and foolish, and eventually were made illegal.

Former samurai class now cut off their top knots and instead, adopted the business attire of the west. Japan adopted western ideas, technologies and pastimes. Suddenly, it was cool to be a westerner.

Jigaro Kano was a high-ranking officer in the government and founder of Judo, a combat style adapted from traditional Jiu jitsu combat techniques. Kano removed the small joint locks and everything which might prevent it being seen as a sport. Wearing wrap-over jackets based on the uniform of Japanese fire fighters, they could pull and drag at each other without risk of tearing the jackets.

Judo was taught in schools which now, like in the west, were available to all children. Japan needed a new generation of children, educated in modern ways and strong enough to stand up to the larger westerners. Judo, Sumo, Kendo, all became part of this way to strengthen both the minds and the bodies of its population.

At this time, what was to become Karate was virtually unknown on the Japanese mainland. As part of a school show for some Japanese dignitaries, one of the teachers arranged a demonstration of his method of unarmed combat. Known by that time as ‘Te’ or ‘Hand’, or ‘Chinese Hand’. The teacher’s name was Gichin Funakoshi. His demonstration impressed the dignitaries enough that they invited him to demonstrate his system on the mainland.

This resulted in Funakoshi moving to Japan without much financial assistance; he took a low paid job as a school caretaker and began to teach his system to students. He changed the name of the system to Karate, or ‘empty hand’. Chinese Hand and the word Karate uses the same Japanese characters, whilst being pronounced differently. This hid the fact that karate wasn’t a Japanese art, and it was now only promoted as a Japanese system of self-defence.

Eventually, his system began to be popular with university students. They adopted a wrap over jacket like Judo. Funakoshi and others adapted karate to suit Japanese tastes, introducing it to schools and universities. The art was systematised, kata (formal patterns of movement) were standardised, and the term "karate" (meaning "empty hand") was adopted to reflect its focus on unarmed techniques.

At this time, (1930s) Karate had only basic kicking techniques. A front kick, a rudimentary side kick and crescent kick, and one or two kneeing techniques. Funakoshi Yoshitaka, the son of Gichin, is said to have witnessed a demonstration of La Boxe Francaise, the French kickboxing sport developed from the solely kicking art of Savate.

Yoshitake recognised the value of the kicks and the wider array of punches and adapted these into Karate. This added a new dimension to the system, giving it a more exciting and dramatic look.

La Boxe Francaise itself, was little known outside France and so, when karate reached Europe, it was seen as quite different to anything Europeans had seen before. Karate even adopted the scoring system that was used in La Boxe Francaise. What we call today ‘points’ fighting is itself a French idea.

Sport became a large part of karate using both, kata (like the AEGIS combinations) and kumite (free fighting, like our sparring). Karate copied the belt system used in Judo and developed its own syllabus based on Judo.

Global Spread

After World War II, karate spread rapidly beyond Japan, carried by Japanese instructors, returning soldiers, and popular culture. Karate organisations were established worldwide, and the art gained popularity for its effectiveness, discipline, and philosophy. Today, karate is practised by millions around the globe and is recognised as an Olympic sport, continuing to evolve while honouring its traditions.

Conclusion

From its humble beginnings on the islands of Okinawa to its place on the world stage, karate’s history reflects a blend of cultural exchange, adaptation, and perseverance. It remains not only a method of self-defence but also a way of life for many, embodying principles of respect, discipline, and continuous improvement.

The AEGIS system is a modern-day expression of the ideology behind karate. Not just a martial art for self-defence, or sport for physical fitness, but a method of personal development, designed to build confidence, strength and a culture of self-help.