Key Individuals In The Development Of Karate

By Leigh Metopher


When you mention the words martial arts, karate typically springs to mind before just about any other art. This fighting art is one of the most popular in the world. It was developed in Okinawa hundreds of years ago as a hybrid of skills and techniques learned from visiting tradesman and fisherman from China. With an emphasis on striking and punching, karate is an excellent self-defense tool for people of all ages.

One of the earliest legends of karate is Gichin Funakoshi, who founded a type of karate known as Shotokan karate. Funakoshi was born in Okinawa and is known as the person who introduced karate to mainland Japan. He opened the first school of karate or dojo in Tokyo in 1939.

Another person who helped spread karate throughout Japan was Anko Itosu. Not surprisingly, he too is from Okinawa. He penned the "Ten Precepts of Karate," which described in detail the techniques of karate as well as underlining its importance. This paper was presented to the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of War, and the officials were quite enthusiastic about Itosu's writing and began encouraging karate training throughout the country.

American soldiers got their first glimpse of karate during World War II when they were stationed in the South Pacific. Robert Trias served in the Solomon Islands and while he was there he began training with a Buddhist missionary. Once the war ended and he returned to Arizona, he turned his backyard into a makeshift dojo and began teaching karate techniques. Within a year, he opened the nation's first official karate dojo and in 1948, he founded the U.S. Karate Association.

There are, of course, many other individuals who are important practitioners of karate. Some developed different types of karate and others helped spread the art's popularity around the world. Karate skills can be important techniques in the arsenal of an MMA fighter, as well. UFC champion Lyoto Machida, for example, holds a black belt in Shotokan karate as well as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

If you are looking for karate classes in Encinitas, karate classes in San Marcos or karate classes in Carlsbad, consider contacting Team Mai. They offer classes for children and teens, and focus not only on teaching the skills of karate but instilling a sense of self-confidence in each student, as well as teaching discipline and respect in a fun and exciting environment.




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