Kihons Blog: Karate introduction with awsome demo video

Karate or karate-do is a martial art developed in the Ryukyu Islands from indigenous fighting methods and Chinese kenpo. Karate was originally written as Chinese hand in kanji. It was later changed to a homophone meaning empty hand. The word karate was used for some time orally before it was first written. It is primarily a striking art using punching, kicking, knee and elbow strikes. Open-handed techniques, grappling, locks, restraints, throws, and vital point strikes are taught in some styles. A karate practitioner is called a karateka.

Practice:

Karate can be practiced as budo, as a sport, as a combat sport, or as self defense training. Traditional karate places emphasis on self development (budo).

Modern Japanese style training emphasizes the psychological elements incorporated into a proper kokoro (attitude) such as perseverance, fearlessness, virtue, and leadership skills. Sport karate places emphasis on exercise and competition. Weapons (kobudo) is important training activity in some styles.
Karate training is commonly divided into kihon (basics or fundamentals), kata (forms), and kumite (sparring).

Kihon

Choki M

otobu in Naihanchi-dachi, one of the basic karate stances

Kihon
Karate styles place varying importance on kihon. Typically this is performance in unison of a technique or a combination of techniques by a group of karateka. Kihon may also be prearranged drills in smaller groups or in pairs.

Kata

Karate kata:
Kata means literally "shape" or "model." Kata is a formalized sequence of movements which represent various attack and defense postures. These postures are based on idealized combat applications.Some kata use low and wide stances. This practice develops leg strength, correct posture, and gracefulness. Vigorous arm movements enhance cardiovascular fitness and upper body strength. Kata vary in number of movements and difficulty. The longer kata require the karateka to learn many complex movements. Diligent training and correct mindfulness lead to real understanding of combat principles.

Kata were developed before literacy was commonplace in Okinawa or China. Physical routines were a logical way to preserve this type of knowledge. The various moves have multiple interpretations and applications. Because the applicability for actual self-defense is so flexible there is no definitively correct way to interpret all kata. That is why only high ranking practitioners are qualified to judge adequate form for their own style. Some of the criteria for judging the quality of a performance are: Absence of missteps; correct beginning and especially ending; crispness and smoothness; correct speed and power; confidence; and knowledge of application. Kata with the same name are often performed differently in other styles of karate. Kata are taught with minor variations among schools of the same style. Even the same instructor will teach a particular kata slightly differently as the years pass.

To attain a formal rank the karateka must demonstrate competent performance of specific required kata for that level. The Japanese terminology for grades or ranks is commonly used. Requirements for examinations vary among schools

Kumite (Sparring)

Kumite:
Kumite is called sparring. It literally means "meeting of hands." Kumite is practiced both as a sport and as self-defense training.

Levels of physical contact during sparring vary considerably. Sport kumite is free or structured with no-contact or light contact and points are awarded by a referee. Full contact karate has several variants. Knockdown karate ( such as Kyokushin ) uses full power techniques to bring an opponent to the ground. Kickboxing variants ( for example K-1) win by knockout. Armour (bogu kumite) allows full power techniques with some safety.

Free sparring takes place in a closed area. The karateka are allow free choice of punching & kicking techniques. Depending upon style, takedowns and sweeps are allowed.

Structured kumite has clear stages:

Both parties prepare for an attack and a defense.
The attacker announces the attack indicating the target and the technique.
The defender acknowledges the announced attack.
he attacker executes the attack.
The defender executes the block corresponding to the announced attack.
Points are awarded by a referee. Left/right and techniques can be varied.

The Federation of All Japan Karatedo Organization recognizes four traditional styles of karate:

Shōtōkan-ryū
Shitō-ryū
Gōjū-ryū
Wadō-ryū

Styles that do not belong to one of these schools are not necessarily considered to be 'illegitimate' or 'bad' karate, but simply not one of the traditional schools. For example, the styles listed by the World Union of Karate-do Organizations (WUKO) are Gōjū-ryū, Shitō-ryū, Shōtōkan-ryū, Wadō-ryū, Shōrin-ryū, Uechi-ryū, Kyokushinkai, and Budōkan. Many schools would be affiliated with, or heavily influenced by, one or more of these traditional styles.

Okinawan Goju-ryu karate