The history of karate
The History of Karate – From Okinawa to the Whole World
Karate is today a global martial art practiced by millions of people – but its roots go deep into history. Behind every kick and punch are hundreds of years of history, culture and development. Join us on a journey through the fascinating origins of karate!
Okinawa – the birthplace of karate
Karate originated on the island of Okinawa , which lies between Japan and China. During the 14th and 15th centuries, Okinawa was a trading post where many cultures met, especially from China. Over time, the influence of Chinese kung fu began to merge with the local martial arts called te (meaning “hand”).
When a ban on weapons was imposed on Okinawa – first by the local royal government and later by the Japanese samurai – unarmed self-defense techniques became even more important. People began to secretly develop and hone effective methods of defending themselves using only their bodies as weapons.
From “kara-te” to karate-do
The word karate means “empty hand” – a symbol of training without weapons. Originally written with the character 唐手, meaning “Chinese hand”, the character was changed to 空手 – “empty hand” – in the early 20th century to indicate that it was a Japanese martial art with its own identity.
During the 20th century, karate also began to develop into a more systematic training system with different schools ( ryu ) and styles. A central figure in this development was Gichin Funakoshi , often called the “father of karate”. He introduced karate to the Japanese mainland in the early 1920s and laid the foundation for what would later become the Shotokan style – one of the most well-known karate styles to this day.
Karate spreads around the world
After World War II, karate spread throughout the world, largely thanks to Japanese masters who traveled to Europe, the United States, and other parts of the world to teach. Karate quickly became popular, both as a martial art and as a form of exercise, discipline, and self-defense.
In the 1980s and 90s, popular culture – films featuring Bruce Lee, Chuck Norris and not least The Karate Kid – also contributed to spreading interest in karate to an even wider audience.
Karate today
Today, there are many different styles of karate, but they are all based on the same basic principles: body control, respect, discipline and personal development. Karate has also become a recognized competitive sport – and in 2021 it made its debut at the Tokyo Olympics.
At the same time, traditional karate lives on, with a strong focus on philosophy, etiquette and self-improvement – something that makes it unique in an era where much is about quick results.
From secret practice to global sport
The history of karate is an example of how something that started as a simple self-defense training on a small island could grow into a worldwide movement. It is not just a martial art – it is a cultural heritage that continues to evolve and inspire.
