Karate (空手?) (English: /kəˈrɑːtiː/) is a martial art developed in the Ryukyu Islands in what is now Okinawa, Japan. It was developed from indigenous fighting methods called te (手?, literally “hand”; Tii in Okinawan) and Chinese kenpō. Karate is a striking art using punching, kicking, knee and elbow strikes, and open-handed techniques such as knife-hands. Grappling, locks, restraints, throws, and vital point strikes are taught in some styles. A karate practitioner is called a karateka (空手家?).
Karate was developed in the Ryukyu Kingdom prior to its 19th century annexation by Japan. It was brought to the Japanese mainland in the early 20th century during a time of cultural exchanges between the Japanese and the Ryukyuans. In 1922 the Japanese Ministry of Education invited Gichin Funakoshi to Tokyo to give a karate demonstration. In 1924 Keio University established the first university karate club in Japan and by 1932, major Japanese universities had karate clubs. In this era of escalating Japanese militarism,[5] the name was changed from 唐手 (“Chinese hand”) to 空手 (“empty hand”) – both of which are pronounced karate – to indicate that the Japanese wished to develop the combat form in Japanese style. After the Second World War, Okinawa became an important United States military site and karate became popular among servicemen stationed there.
The World Karate Federation recognizes these styles of karate in its kata list
- Shōtōkan-ryū,
- Shitō-ryū,
- Gōjū-ryū,
- Wadō-ryū.
The World Union of Karate-do Federations (WUKF) recognizes these styles of karate in its kata list.[20]
- Shōtōkan-ryū,
- Shitō-ryū,
- Gōjū-ryū,
- Wadō-ryū,
- Shōrin-ryū,
- Uechi-ryū,
- Kyokushinkai,
- Budōkan.
Many schools would be affiliated with, or heavily influenced by, one or more of these styles.
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The post dated 25th March 2011 contains a generally accurate information. Highly informative particularly on the two largest world karate bodies recognizing major styles of KARATE, the WKF which caters the olympic-type karate (purely centered on sporting aspect, which ultimate goal is World Olympic recognition of Karate) and the WUKF, a non-olympic karate organization that embraces and gives due recognition to both “modern” (olympic-type) and “traditional” karate systems. Incidentally, I and my group belong to WUKF (although previously been involved in the National Karate Federation in our country under the WKF) but opted to switch to WKC/WUKO now WUKF being an advocate/practitioner and teacher of the traditional Okinawan Shorin Ryu Karate (Kyudokan school).
The PUKKO-Philippine Union of Karate and Kobudo Organizations is mainly a family of major Okinawa Karate and kobudo organizations operating in the Philippines which aim is to preserve and promote the Okinawa Karate systems in the Philippines. It is under the WUKF that we found true sense of belonging as WUKF embraces major Okinawan Karate systems such as our style (Shorin Ryu), the Uechi Ryu and Goju Ryu (Morio Higaonna blend).. In WUKF, the TRADITION is respected and preserved. This is evident in its KARATE KATA sporting Events where competition is according to Styles (and according to the school of taught). Therefore, the WUKF World Championships are great fora to showcase and promote many styles of karate. No wonder that WUKF now is regarded as the second largest international federation present in all the 5 continents of the world. On the other hand, WKF that is constantly evolving as a strong “technical Karate” is equally credited for bringing to the heights the name of KARATE via its sporting activities. Either way, WKF and WUKF contribute to a certain degree to the promotion of this unique martial arts via sports competitions. What is heartwarming is the fact that we can not hear any “political rivalry” between these two big organizations (unlike what is happening to many “style organizations and factions) and this is a great manifestation that both WKF and WUKF are run by highly professional and competent Karate leaders. Well, essentially, there is no cause for this two organizations to be at “war” as they are doing the sporting aspect of Karate distinctively by their respective Rules of Competitions. No “duplications” and/or usurpation I should say. Whatever, let’s just maintain the RESPECT and harmony amongst us, and that would be our respective great contribution to humanity and WORLD PEACE.
>Kyoshi Marcelo Monte Navarroza, 8th Dan WUKF
Official Representative to Philippines of the World Okinawan Shorin Ryu Karatedo KYUDOKAN Federation &
President, PUKKO http://wukf2008philippines.multiply.com http://kyudokanphilippines.multiply.com
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