Karate is a Japanese martial art, or fighting method, that involves blocking, punching, striking, and kicking with various parts of the body. Karate also includes elements such as joint manipulations, sweeps, and throws. Karate practice is divided into three aspects:
- Kihon (basics)
- Kata (forms)
- Kumite (sparring)
The word KARATE is a combination of two Japanese words, kara and te. The word kara may be translated as "empty", while the word te may be translated as "hand". Thus the word karate may be interpreted to mean "empty hand." Adding the suffix do to karate produces the term karate-do. Since do may be translated as "way" or "path", the term karate-do may be interpreted to mean "empty hand way" or "way of the empty hand."
KIHON means "basic" or "fundamental". It encompasses areas such as the various stances, transition from stance to stance (movement - shifting, sliding, stepping, and jumping while advancing or retreating), use of the hips, and the blocks, punches, strikes, and kicks used in these situations.
KATA means "form", "shape", "pattern", "model", or "mold". In karate terms, a kata is a prescribed sequence of techniques against imaginary opponents. These techniques include blocks, punches, strikes, throws, joint manipulations, and kicks executed from a variety of different stances.
KUMITE refers to the sparring exercises. There are several different types of kumite that are practiced today, ranging from kihon ippon kumite (basic one step sparring) to jiyu kumite (freestyle sparring).
SHOTOKAN refers to the style of karate taught by Gichin Funakoshi (1868-1957). It is characterized by strong linear techniques and deep, strong stances. Funakoshi has said that "mind and technique become one in true karate."
