Sun
Karate Club (Estd 1988)
Self Defense Education Trust
(R) India
Govt. Regd. No. E / 2526 / TNA / 2001 / INDIA
History
of Karate
Karate history can be traced back some 1400 years, to Daruma, founder
of Zen Buddhism in Western India. Daruma is said to have introduced Buddhism
into China, incorporating spiritual and physical teaching methods that
were so demanding that many of his disciples would drop in e
xhaustion.
In order to give them greater strength and endurance, he developed a more
progressive training system, which he recorded in a bool, Ekkin-Kyo, which
can be considered the first book on karate of all time.
The physical training, heavily imbued with Daruma's philosophical principles,
was taught in the Shaolin Temple in the year 500 AD Shaolin kung-fu, from
northern China, was characterized by very colorful, rapid, and dynamic
movements; the Shokei school of China was known for more powerful and
sober techniques. These two kinds of styles found their way to Okinawa,
and had their influence on Okinawa's own original fighting method, called
Okinawa-te (Okinawa hand) or simply te. A ban on weapons in Okinawa for
two long periods in its history is also partly responsible for the high
degree of development of unarmed fighting techniques of the island.
In summary, karate in Okinawa developed from the synthesis of two fighting
techniques. The first one, used by the inhabitants of Okinawa, was very
simple but terribly effective and, above all, very close to reality since
it was used throughout many centuries in real combat. The second one,
much more elaborate and impregnated with philosophical teachings, was
a product of the ancient culture of China. These two origins explain the
double character of Karate- extremely violent and efficient but at the
same time a strict and austere discipline and philosophy with a nonviolent
emphasis.
True karate is this: that in daily lif
e
one's mind and body be trained and developed in a spirit of humility,
and that in critical times, one be devoted utterly to the cause of justice.
Karate can also be described as a martial art, or fighting method, involving
a variety of techniques, including blocks, strikes, evasions, throws,
and joint manipulations. Karate practice is divided into three aspects:
kihon(basics), kata(forms), and kumite (sparring).
The word Karate is a combination of two Japanese characters: kata, meaning
empty and te, meaning hand, thus, karate means "empty hand". Adding the
suffix "-do" (pronounced "doe"), meaning "way" i.e., karate-do, implies
karate as a total way of life that goes well beyond the self-defense applications.
In traditional karate-do, we always keep in kind that the true opponent
is oneself.
"We strive to make our physical techniques pure expressions of o
ur
mind's intention, and to improve our mind's focus by understanding the
essence of the physical techniques. By polishing our karate practice we
are polishing our own spirit or our own mentality. For example, eliminating
weak and the indecisive movements in our karate helps to eliminate weakness
and indecision in our minds - and vice-versa.
It is in this sense that karate becomes a way of life as we try to become
very strong but happy and peaceful people.
Introduction
There are three components to karate training: kihon, kata and kumite.
Each plays
a crucial role to the development of karate skills. While particular teachers
and particular training sessions may emphasize some (or only one) components,
none of them can be neglected in the course of one's training.
Kihon
Kihon is the practice of fundamental techniques: blocking, punching, striking,
and kicking. These techniques are the beginning and end of karate - a
karateka (practitioner of karate) may learn them in a matter of months,
yet fail to master them after a life's worth of training. Hence, basic
techniques demand regular practice, applied with as much concentration
and effort as possible.
Form. Balance and stability are necessary to basic techniques. 
Kicking
- in which one leg supports the entire body - is an example of technique
that depends on the karateka's sense of balance. Karate movements involve
shifting the body's center of gravity, which demands good balance and
control of the body. In addition, the karateka requires stable joints,
stances and posture to deliver (for withstand) maximum impact in (or from)
a blow.
Power and speed.
Karate would be meaningless without time, the ability to concentrate the
greatest amount of force at the point of attack (or block). Those with
great muscular strength do not excel at karate, if they never learn to
use their muscles power through kime. In addition, the karateka's power
is directly related to speed of her techniques. However, speed is ineffective
without proper control.
Concentration and relaxation of power. The
karateka cannot generate maximum power if her punches rely on the arm's
muscles alone, or her kicks on the leg's muscles alone. The greatest level
of power comes from concentrating all of the karateka's strength, from
every part of the body, on the target. In addition, the karateka must
generate power efficiently, using power when and where it is needed. Maximum
power is required only at the point of impact. Until then, the karateka
should stay relaxed and avoid generating unnecessary power. By tensing
the wrong parts of the body or tensing at the wrong time, the karateka
only diminishes the amount of power that goes into her block or attack.
While she is relaxed, the karateka should stay mentally alert.
Strengthening muscle power.The karateka
must not only understand the principles of kihon, she must give them effect
with strong, elastic muscles. Strong muscles demand constant, earnest
training. They also require the karateka to know which muscles to use
in her techniques: well-trained muscles will lead to strong and effective
karate.
Rhythm and timing. Karate has its own rhythm
that karateka should come to recognize and understand. No technique takes
place in isolation; in combining basic techniques, the karateka should
pay attention to the timing of her techniques as well as the techniques
themselves. A master karateka's movements not only contain a great deal
of power but also rhythm and, in their own way, beauty. A sense of rhythm
and timing will help the karateka understand the techniques and the art
in general.
Hips. The hips are a crucial, yet oft-neglected
component in execution karate techniques. Hip rotation adds power to the
upper body, and is thus essential to strong blocks and punches. The hips'
proximity to the body's center of gravity make them the foundation of
strong, stable movements, good balance, and proper form. The karateka
cannot move as smoothly, quickly, or powerfully if the hips are passive.
For this reason, teachers often remind their students to "block with your
hips," "punch with your hips," and "kick from your hips."
Breathing. The karateka should coordinate
breathing with her techniques. Breathing enhances the karateka's ability
to relax and concentrate maximum power in her techniques. Correct breathing
- fully exhaling when finishing a strike, for example - is necessary to
developing kime. The karateka should not breathe in a uniform manner;
her breathing should change with the situation. Proper inhaling fills
the lungs completely. Proper exhaling leaves the lungs 
about
20 percent full - exhaling completely makes the body limp, leaving the
karateka vulnerable to even a weak attack.
Kata
The kata are formal exercises, which combine basic karate techniques -
blocking, punching, striking and kicking - into a series of predetermined
movements. Kata combines offensive and defensive techniques, proper body
movement, and changes in direction. The kata teach the karateka to dispose
of numerous attackers from at least four directions. Although the kata
do not involve visible opponents, the karateka, through serious study
of the kata, learns the art of self-defense and the ability to calmly
and efficiently deal with dangerous situations. For these reasons, the
kata have been the core of karate training since ancient times.
The Essence of Kata
The most common definition of kata is prearranged set of movements, which
are practiced to help to improve balance, focus, power and techniques.
Originally, Kata was created by Bodhirama as an exercise to promote good
health and self-defense practice for him and other monks. The explanation
of Kata is not a simple one.
Usually, each Karate-ka may have a different understanding of Kata depending
on their training history. The essence of Kata is best described as the
self-expression of the Martial Arts skills of the person practicing. Every
Kar
ate-ka
is different and techniques sometimes appear differently than others practicing
the same. This is based on many factors, such as body design and stature,
skill level, flexibility, etc. We know that Kata is comprised of a wide
range of techniques, but without each Karate'ka's feelings, emotions,
and skills, it is motion without meaning. The practitioner must become
one with the Kata and not be preoccupied with thoughts of who is watching
or what they think of it. The most important thing about practicing Kata
is what the practitioner feels before, during and after the kata. When
the practitioner performs perfectly, they become the Kata and are able
to move without thinking, therefore coexisting with the Kata to become
one.
Kata is very important to Marital Arts training and should not be a task
to practice. It stimulates both mental and physical development and can
be practiced throughout life. As we continue our training at any level,
we must diligently practice Kata and remember the valuable lessons it
teaches.
Kumite
Kata and kumite are complementary training methods. In kata, one learns
basic techniques; in kumite, one applies them with a sparring partner.
The principles of kihon (see above) still apply proper karate techniques,
demonstrate correct power and speed, and, above all, exercise good control
- contact is prohibited. One must remember that, while kumite is a useful
application of the fundamentals learned through kata, it is not a substitute
for kata.
There are three types of kumite: basic kumite, ippon(one-step) kumite,
and jiyu(free) kumite.
Basic kumite, consisting of five or three-step
sparring, permits the karateka to cultivate basic blocking and attacking
through prearranged techniques. It i
s
a useful introduction to sparring for beginning students.
Ippon kumite also involves basic, prearranged
techniques, but adds emphasis on body movements and proper distancing
from the opponent.
In Jiyu kumite, techniques are not prearranged.
The karateka may freely engage her physical and mental powers, but must
strictly control her attacks - contact is prohibited. The karateke must
be well trained and disciplined enough to make a powerful blow that stops
just before it reaches its target. For these reasons, only advanced students
may practice jiyu kumite.
(Note: Most karateka learn jiyu ippon kumite - a combination of one-step
and free sparring - as brown belts. In this semi-free form of sparring,
both sides must use basic, prearranged techniques, but may not according
to their own rhythm and timing. Jiyu ippon kumite often serves as a bridge
between ippon and jiyu kumite.)
Relevant
Japanese Terms in Karate
Pronunciation
All vowels are short and pronounced as follows:
- "a" as in father
- "i" as in "teen" except shorter
- "u" as in "boot" except shorter
- "e" as in "bet"
- "o" as in "boat" except shorter and without the off-glide.
Longer vowel sounds are the same sounds as above, but given more time.
- "aa," a longer "a"
- "ii," a longer "i"
- "uu," a longer "u"
- "ei," a longer "e"
- "oh," a longer "o"
Except for the above, if you see two or more vowels in a row, they are
each pronounced clearly without becoming a single diphthong. An apostrophe
is used where a glottal stop occurs (like between the "n" and the second
"a" when pronouncing "an apple").
Consonants always take their "hard" sounds. Ao "gi" is pronounced with
a hard "g" (i.e., not "ji"). "Ch" is always as in "cheese."
The hyphens don't mean anything but serve to distinguish separate syllables
when it might be ambiguous, or to separate a word into two semantic parts.
There shouldn't be a pause for hyphens.
Parentheses are used whenever a word might be omitted by some people,
or if the translation could mean more than one thing. For example, "nukite,"
literally only means "spear hand," which is just the name of the "weapon"
you form with your hand, but it is also often used to mean the attack,
"spear-hand thrust." So "thrust" is in parentheses.
Quotation marks are used on the English side to distinguish between literal
translations of the Japanese terms from their more figurative meanings
(quotes indicate literal translation).
What is Aikido?
The word Aikido is composed of three Japanese characters (on right, top
to bottom): ai, meaning harmony; ki, meaning spirit or energy; and do,
meaning way. Making one translation of Aikido 'the easy of spiritual harmony.'
Like other martial arts Aikido is studied for self-defense and self-improvement.
What makes Aikido different from other martial arts is that an Aikidoist
develops methods of self-defense that will not injure an attacker.
The movements of Aikido harmonize attacks rather than meeting them head-on.
Instead of using kicks and punches that could possible seriously injure
someone, an Aikidoist learns to use various wristlocks and throws to control
attackers. As a result techniques can be practiced at full power without
fear of injury.
In Aikido there are no competitions, the Aikidoist betters his or her
self without belittling others.
"Aikido is the principle of nonresistance. Because it is nonresistant
it is victorious from the beginning. Those with evil intentions or contentious
thoughts are instantly vanquished."