Karate and How It Got Its Name
Originating in Okinawa, the original name for Karate was actually “China-hand”, named after the Chinese monks who traveled to the southern Japanese island back in the1400s. These monks brought a type of martial art form China, which was then modified to become Karate. The name of the martial art, popularly used by fishermen and farmers to defend their land and property, was changed to “empty-hand” (which is what “Karate” translates into) in the late 1400s.
Why was the name of this martial art changed?
Okinawa was actually an independent island that was annexed by Japan. In order to succeed in its annexation, King Sho Shin, a Buddhist monk, banned all use of weapons on the island in 1480. As a result, practitioners of the martial art could not include the use of weapons in their training. They could only use their bare hands, which is how the name came about.
Is Karate still an “empty-hand” martial art?
Practitioners of Karate use several weapons in their training. These include the tonfa, kama, and nunchaku.
In fact, even during the ban in 1480, some weapons were used. These weapons were actually typical tools used by its practitioners in their daily work, which could be passed off as tools rather than weapons in their daily training. The best example is the kama, which is a traditional farming implement to reap crops. The kama resembles a sickle, and can be used to slash or stab an opponent.
Is Karate still an “empty-hand” martial art?
Practitioners of Karate use several weapons in their training. These include the tonfa, kama, and nunchaku.
In fact, even during the ban in 1480, some weapons were used. These weapons were actually typical tools used by its practitioners in their daily work. The best example is the kama, which is a traditional farming implement to reap crops. The kama resembles a sickle, and can be used to slash or stab an opponent.