"ART OF THE EMPTY HAND"

Shrui Elementary School 1937

Karate developed in the islands of Okinawa, south of Japan. It was an intricate self defence system originally known as 'Te', simply meaning 'Hand'.

'Te', was the native martial art practiced in Okinawa by upper class Ryukuan families (Shizoku) as a means of self-defence and overall improvement of the body, mind and spirit.

In the 15th century, Okinawan King, Sho Shin enforced a prohibition rule on the Okinawan people, confiscating all weapons. Then in 1609, the Japanese samurai of the Satsuma clan invaded and reinforced the rule of King Sho Shin, that no one may carry a sword.

The prohibition rule, coupled with the first recorded demonstration of the Chinese martial art of Kempo in 1683 by a master named Wanshu, sparked a great interest in the empty handed fighting techniques.

In 1756, a Chinese Kempo master named Kusanku travelled to Okinawa from China as an envoy. He demonstrated self defence techniques and later started to teach some Okinawans methods of self-defence arranged in pre-arranged forms. The katas known as Kusanku and Wanshu are practiced in Shorin-ryu today.

In the time between the invasion of the Satsuma clan in 1609, to the mid 19th century, many Okinawan masters believe that Te merged with the art of Chinese Kempo into a self defence system Okinawans called 'Tode', simply meaning, 'China Hand'.

It is said that Te, has it's roots in the ancient Indian martial art of Kalaripayt studied in southern India. And that Chinese Kempo has it's origins in the Shaolin Temple located in the Songshan mountains, Hunan province, China.

Legends say that about 1400 years ago, a monk named Bodhidharma, founder of Zen Buddhism, left India and travelled to China to present lectures on Buddhism. His journey was long and treacherous. He crossed great mountain ranges and unbridged rivers for a several thousand mile journey.

In years to come, Bodhidharma travelled to the famous Shaolin Temple to lecture Chinese monks on Buddhism. It was here that he found the Shaolin monks could not sit for long periods of meditation. So he introduced a series of forms which contained self defence techniques to physically condition the monks.

In time, the art was known as Shaolin Lohan Quan (Translated as Monk Boxing) and the monks where known throughout China for their strength, courage and humility.
Over hundreds of years the art of kempo (Chuan Fa), literally translated as, 'Fist Method' began to evolve from the Shaolin art.

In the 18th century there is no clear cut evidence of the styles of Tode practiced in Okinawa but in the 19th century saw the emergence of three different styles of Tode known as Naha-te, Shuri-te and Tomari-te. Named after the cities the art flourished in.

Shuri-te merged with Tomari-te, to become present day Okinawan Shorin-ryu. Shorin- ryu emphasises speed in movement, flexibility with fast linear attacks and hard blocks. Shorin-ryu has it's greatest influence in Northern styles of Chinese kempo and Okinawa- te.

Naha-te, is the forerunner of present day Okinawan Goju-ryu, founded by Sensei Chojun Miyagi (1888-1953). Goju-Ryu emphasises strong attacks coupled with soft circular blocks, weight training and body conditioning. Goju-ryu has it's greatest influence in Southern styles of Chinese Kempo.

In the early 20th century it was agreed by Okinawan masters of the time, that the kanji that read 'Chinese Hand' (Tode), should be changed to characters that read 'Empty hand', pronounced 'Karate','Kara' meaning empty, 'Te' meaning hand.

Karate has now spread throughout the world, with millions of people training regardless of age, size, build or race. Normal people, building a more confident life for themselves through the rigorous training of karate.

Karate builds a body, mind and spirit of remarkable strength. There is an enigma about karate that many find fascinating. Wood, brick and tiles smashed completely through with one's bare hands and feet. Undoubtedly incredible feats, which take years of practice and expertise, but do not at all show the true essence of karate, but show the physical and mental strength that karate can develop.

Karate must be never misused. One who trains in the way, and understands the proper use of karate, is never drawn into a fight. Therefore the essence of karate is:
1. Building a healthy body, mind and spirit, which ultimately leads to a better quality of life.
2. Being able to defend oneself in the difference between life and death.
Through constant practice, a trainee builds character and a human spirit of outstanding qualities such as courage, self discipline, humility, fortitude and wisdom.
Therefore, karate is not just about learning self defence, it is about learning about yourself.

Sensei Chojun Miyagi on the bottom right pictured with other great masters at a landmark conference
of Okinawan karate in 1936 at which it was agreed that the term Karate be adopted as the official name for this art.