The Karate-Do

KARATE DO: is a martial art developed on the Ryukyu Islands in where is now Okinawa, Japan. It means OPEN HANDS WAY, because is based in the spiritual way and the open hand techniques combined with leg techniques (not only kicks).  A karate practitioner is called a karateka.  It was developed from the indigenous martial arts of Ryukyu Islands, under the influences of Chinese martial arts.

KARATE’S GRADES: The existence of belts varies from one style to another, but generally it tend to be recognized: the so-called kyu or lower level belts and belts Danish or higher. The belts of the lower level are (in order):withe, withe-yellow, yellow, yellow-orange, orange, orange-green, green, green-blue, blue, blue-brown, brown and black.

                                                                                                                                                 

DIFFERENTS STYLES OF KARATE: The most important style of karate is Karate Shotokan or Modern Karate. It was founded by Funakoshi (1868-1957) in Japan in 1938. Master Funakoshi is considered the founder of modern karate, because he was the first to raise awareness of the art in the region of Honshu in Japan. Funakoshi was born in Okinawa. He began studying karate with Yasutsune Azato, one of the bests experts in the art of Okinawa.  This is the symbol of the Shotokan International Karate (SIK):

VESTMENTS:The practice uniform used in Karate is the karategi, (gi = costume) consists of a jacket, pants and a belt. The karategi is derived from the judogi, given the influence of Judo. It exist two types of karategi: one special for kumite(combat) very light, and another one for the katas, thick and heavy to stand out the movements and the body shape.

 

METHOD OF PRACTICE:

1.       KIHON: It is a recap of the principal and basics techniques and movements of Karate. The principal positions   are:Zenkutsu Dachi, Mutsumi Dachi, Heiko Dachi, Ko Kutsu Dachi and Kiba Dachi. And the basic techniques are (with the hand): Zuki, Gedan Barai, Ushi-Uke, Soto-Uke, Jodan-Age-Uke, Morote-Uke. And with the legs: Mae Geri, Mawashi Geri, Ushiro Geri and Yoko Geri. (Geri means kick).

2.       KATA: It means ‘form’, but the real significance is: imaginary fight with one or more opponents. After you pass Kihon, you will learn Katas, more elaborates and difficult. All the volume of techniques, tactics and some sections of fitness to practice this martial art are summarized in the kata.It exist two types of katas: basics(Teikioku Shodan and the 5 Heians) and superiors(more than 30, example is this kata, Ji’in). In the competition of Katas are face two opponents, one with a red belt and the other with a blue belt. There are 5 judges with two flags, of the colours of the participants and when they finish the Kata the judges lift the flag of the colour of the participant who he votes.

3.       KUMITE: It is also called combat or fight. It is the practical application of the techniques to a showdown against a real opponent. There are various types of kumite:

 

-Kihon kumite.

-Kumite or sporting competition.

-Kumite full contact or full contact.

-Kumite with free application. 

 

The puntuation is acorder to this:

1.            IPPON: 1 point.           

2.            NIPPON: 2 points.         

3.            SANBON: 3 points.