Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Key Individuals In The Development Of Karate

By Leigh Metopher


As one of the world's most widely known and practiced martial arts, karate teaches many key skills of self-defense. While striking and punching tend to be the most common techniques, many varieties of karate also focus on knee and elbow strikes, kicking, grapping and even joint locks. This sport developed from ancient martial arts brought from China to the islands of Okinawa many hundreds of years ago.

It might surprise one to note that karate has only been practiced in mainland Japan since the early 20th century, although in Okinawa it has been continuously developed over about 400 years. Gichin Funakoshi is largely credited with introducing karate to the rest of Japan, and he opened the first dojo, or school for karate, in 1939. He also is the father of one of the most prominent forms of karate - Shotokan karate.

Anko Itosu also is known as a father of modern karate, and while Funakoshi brought karate from Okinawa into Japan, Itosu is known for his 1908 writing "Ten Precepts of Karate." This document details the basic principles of karate and was presented to Japan's Ministry of War and the Ministry of Education. The officials were impressed by Itosu's writing and it generated interest in karate throughout Japan. While Funakoshi opened the first dojo, it is important to note that he learned much of skills from his Itosu, who was his teacher.

Robert Trias is notable in the world of karate as he was the first person to open a dojo in the United States. Trias served in the Navy during World War II and was stationed in the Solomon Islands. A champion boxer, he drew the attention of a Buddhist missionary who began instructing Trias in karate. When Trias returned to his home in Arizona, he began teaching karate in his backyard and eventually opened his dojo in 1946. Two years later, he founded the United States 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.

For those who wish to find a San Marcos karate school, karate classes in Encinitas or a San Marcos karate school, Team Mai offers classes for all levels of children and teens. In addition to teaching the skills of karate, your child's training also will focus on building confidence and self-esteem, learning respect for oneself and others and improving self-discipline.




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