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115-653: The ISKA (originally International Sport Karate Association , later also called the International Sport Kickboxing Association ) is international bodies regulating sport karate and kickboxing matches. It is based in the United States. It was established in 1985 as a response to legal and revenue issues that sent the Professional Karate Association (PKA) into decline. From 1974 until 1985,
230-538: A karate-ka ( 空手家 ) . Beginning in the 1300s, early Chinese martial artists brought their techniques to Okinawa. Despite the Ryukyu Kingdom being turned into a puppet state by Japanese samurai in 1609, after the Invasion of Ryukyu , its cultural ties to China remained strong. Since Okinawans were banned from carrying swords under samurai rule, groups of young aristocrats created unarmed combat methods as
345-489: A Chinese-derived martial art called tōde (Okinawan: tōdī , lit. ' Tang hand ' ) emerged. According to Gichin Funakoshi, a distinction between Okinawan-te and tōde existed in the late 19th century. With the emergence of tōde , it is thought that te also came to be called Okinawa-te (Okinawan: Uchinādī , lit. ' Okinawa hand ' ). However, this distinction gradually became blurred with
460-671: A certain type of weapon. Forms are meant to be both practical, usable, and applicable as well as to promote fluid motion, meditation, flexibility, balance, and coordination. Students are encouraged to visualize an attacker while training the form. There are two general types of taolu in Chinese martial arts. Most common are solo forms performed by a single student. There are also sparring forms — choreographed fighting sets performed by two or more people. Sparring forms were designed both to acquaint beginning fighters with basic measures and concepts of combat and to serve as performance pieces for
575-502: A compound term it usually translates as "boxing" or "fighting technique." The name of the Japanese martial art kempō is represented by the same hanzi characters. The genesis of Chinese martial arts has been attributed to the need for self-defense , hunting techniques and military training in ancient China . Hand-to-hand combat and weapons practice were important in training ancient Chinese soldiers . Detailed knowledge about
690-405: A continuous set of movements. Forms were originally intended to preserve the lineage of a particular style branch, and were often taught to advanced students selected for that purpose. Forms contained both literal, representative and exercise-oriented forms of applicable techniques that students could extract, test, and train in through sparring sessions. Today, many consider taolu to be one of
805-426: A form of resistance, combining Chinese and local styles of martial arts. Training emphasized self-discipline. This blend of martial arts became known as kara-te 唐手 , which translates to "Chinese hand." Initially, there were no uniforms, colored belts, ranking systems, or standardized styles. Many elements essential to modern karate were actually incorporated a century ago. The Ryukyu Kingdom had been conquered by
920-499: A group of Chinese martial artists demonstrated their art to an international audience for the first time. The term kuoshu (or guoshu , 國術 meaning "national art"), rather than the colloquial term gongfu was introduced by the Kuomintang in an effort to more closely associate Chinese martial arts with national pride rather than individual accomplishment. Chinese martial arts experienced rapid international dissemination with
1035-637: A magazine reported a story about Motobu defeating a foreign boxer in Kyoto, karate rapidly became well known throughout Japan. In this era of escalating Japanese militarism , the name was changed from 唐手 ("Chinese hand" or " Tang hand") to 空手 ("empty hand") – both of which are pronounced karate in Japanese – to indicate that the Japanese wished to develop the combat form in Japanese style. After World War II, Okinawa became (1945) an important United States military site and karate became popular among servicemen stationed there. The martial arts movies of
1150-406: A measurable form of energy as discussed in traditional Chinese medicine has no basis in the scientific understanding of physics, medicine, biology or human physiology. There are many ideas regarding the control of one's qi energy to such an extent that it can be used for healing oneself or others. Some styles believe in focusing qi into a single point when attacking and aim at specific areas of
1265-472: A military officer on a mission from Qing that visited Ryukyu in 1756, and some believe that karate originated with Kōshōkun. In addition, the will (Part I: 1778, Part II: 1783) of Ryukyuan samurai Aka Pēchin Chokushki (1721–1784) mentions the name of a martial art called karamutō ( からむとう ), along with Japanese Jigen-ryū swordsmanship and jujutsu , indicating that Ryukyuan samurai practiced these arts in
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#17327933970801380-542: A national Wushu system that included standard forms, teaching curriculum, and instructor grading was established. Wushu was introduced at both the high school and university level. The suppression of traditional teaching was relaxed during the Era of Reconstruction (1976–1989) , as Communist ideology became more accommodating to alternative viewpoints. In 1979, the State Commission for Physical Culture and Sports created
1495-618: A precursor to modern Chinese wrestling . The earliest references to Chinese martial arts are found in the Spring and Autumn Annals (5th century BC), where a hand-to-hand combat theory, one that integrates notions of "hard" and "soft" techniques, is mentioned. A combat wrestling system called juélì or jiǎolì ( 角力 ) is mentioned in the Classic of Rites . This combat system included techniques such as strikes , throws , joint manipulation , and pressure point attacks. Jiao Di became
1610-424: A prescribed range of combat and technique to drill on. These drills are often semi-compliant, meaning one student does not offer active resistance to a technique, in order to allow its demonstrative, clean execution. In more resisting drills, fewer rules apply, and students practice how to react and respond. 'Sparring' refers to a more advanced format, which simulates a combat situation while including rules that reduce
1725-427: A sense of community and loyalty within martial arts schools and lineages. Chinese martial arts also often incorporate cultural elements such as music, costumes, and rituals, further deepening the connection to Chinese heritage and traditions. Overall, Chinese martial arts encompass not just physical techniques but a comprehensive system that encompasses philosophy, ethics, medical knowledge, and cultural appreciation. It
1840-659: A special task force to reevaluate the teaching and practice of Wushu. In 1986, the Chinese National Research Institute of Wushu was established as the central authority for the research and administration of Wushu activities in the People's Republic of China. Changing government policies and attitudes towards sports, in general, led to the closing of the State Sports Commission (the central sports authority) in 1998. This closure
1955-556: A sport during the Qin dynasty (221–207 BC). The Han History Bibliographies record that, by the Former Han (206 BC – 8 AD), there was a distinction between no-holds-barred weaponless fighting, which it calls shǒubó ( 手搏 ), for which training manuals had already been written, and sportive wrestling, then known as juélì ( 角力 ). Wrestling is also documented in the Shǐ Jì, Records of
2070-517: A state of deep focus. This kind of concentration helps them to stay present in their movements and techniques , enhancing their responsiveness and physical coordination. Meditation also cultivates the ability for introspection, enabling practitioners to become more keenly aware of their bodily sensations, energy flow, and inner state. Meditation is also closely related to qigong . Through the concentration and adjustments achieved through meditation, martial arts practitioners can better perceive and direct
2185-473: A very brief time near the end of his life, An'ichi Miyagi (a teacher claimed by Morio Higaonna ). In addition to the three early te styles of karate a fourth Okinawan influence is that of Uechi Kanbun (1877–1948). At the age of 20 he went to Fuzhou in Fujian Province, China, to escape Japanese military conscription. While there he studied under Shū Shiwa (Chinese: Zhou Zihe 周子和 1874–1926). He
2300-584: Is Motobu Udundī ( lit. ' Motobu Palace Hand ' ), which has been handed down to this day in the Motobu family, one of the branches of the former Ryukyu royal family. In the 16th century, the Ryukyuan history book " Kyūyō " ( 球陽 , established around 1745) mentions that Kyō Ahagon Jikki , a favored retainer of King Shō Shin, used a martial art called "karate" ( 空手 , lit. ' empty hand ' ) to smash both legs of an assassin. This karate
2415-457: Is a martial art developed in the Ryukyu Kingdom . It developed from the indigenous Ryukyuan martial arts (called te ( 手 ) , "hand"; tī in Okinawan) under the influence of Chinese martial arts . While modern karate is primarily a striking art that uses punches and kicks, traditional karate training also employs throwing and joint locking techniques. A karate practitioner is called
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#17327933970802530-556: Is a popular genre that emerged in the early 20th century and peaked in popularity during the 1960s to 1980s. Wuxia films were produced from the 1920s. The Kuomintang suppressed wuxia, accusing it of promoting superstition and violent anarchy. Because of this, wuxia came to flourish in British Hong Kong , and the genre of kung fu movie in Hong Kong action cinema became wildly popular, coming to international attention from
2645-604: Is another popular classification method. Kung fu and wushu are loanwords from Cantonese and Mandarin respectively that, in English, are used to refer to Chinese martial arts. However, the Chinese terms kung fu and wushu ( listen (Mandarin) ; Cantonese Yale : móuh seuht ) have distinct meanings. The Chinese equivalent of the term "Chinese martial arts" would be Zhongguo wushu (Chinese: 中國武術 ; pinyin: zhōngguó wǔshù ) ( Mandarin ). In Chinese,
2760-654: Is considered one of the earliest organized Chinese martial arts. The oldest documented evidence of Shaolin's involvement in combat dates back to a stele from 728 AD, which records two significant events: the defense of the Shaolin Monastery against bandits around 610 AD and their subsequent contribution to the defeat of Wang Shichong at the Battle of Hulao in 621 AD. However, between the 8th and 15th centuries, there are no surviving records that provide concrete proof of Shaolin's involvement in combat activities. Between
2875-565: Is considered to be not only about fighting techniques, but also about spiritual cultivation. Many karate schools and dōjōs have established rules called dōjō kun , which emphasize the perfection of character, the importance of effort, and respect for courtesy. Karate featured at the 2020 Summer Olympics after its inclusion at the Games was supported by the International Olympic Committee . Web Japan (sponsored by
2990-460: Is encountered in a number of Chinese martial arts. Qi is variously defined as an inner energy or "life force" that is said to animate living beings; as a term for proper skeletal alignment and efficient use of musculature (sometimes also known as fa jin or jin ); or as a shorthand for concepts that the martial arts student might not yet be ready to understand in full. These meanings are not necessarily mutually exclusive. The existence of qi as
3105-498: Is impossible for a student to progress in the Chinese martial arts. A common saying concerning basic training in Chinese martial arts is as follows: 内外相合，外重手眼身法步，内修心神意氣力。 Which translates as: Train both Internal and External. External training includes the hands, the eyes, the body and stances. Internal training includes the heart, the spirit, the mind, breathing and strength. Stances (steps or 步法) are structural postures employed in Chinese martial arts training. They represent
3220-457: Is prohibited. (2) The possession of weapons owned privately by princes, three magistrates, and samurai is permitted. (3) Weapons must be repaired in Satsuma through the magistrate's office of Satsuma. (4) Swords must be reported to the magistrate's office of Satsuma for approval." It did not prohibit the possession of weapons (except guns) or even their practice. In fact, even after subjugation to
3335-560: Is said that in 1392 a group of professional people known as the " Thirty-six families from Min " migrated to Kume Village (now Kume, Naha City) in Naha from Fujian Province in the Ming Dynasty at that time. They brought with them advanced learning and skills to Ryukyu, and there is a theory that Chinese kenpō, the origin of karate, was also brought to Ryukyu at this time. There is also the " Keichō import theory," which states that karate
3450-473: Is said to have been marked by his kicking foot. It is known that in "Ōshima Writing" (1762), written by Yoshihiro Tobe, a Confucian scholar of the Tosa Domain , who interviewed Ryukyuan samurai who had drifted to Tosa (present-day Kōchi Prefecture ), there is a description of a martial art called kumiai-jutsu ( 組合術 ) performed by Kōshōkun (Okinawan:Kūsankū). It is believed that Kōshōkun may have been
3565-490: Is sometimes referred to as "the Grandfather of Modern Karate." In 1881, Higaonna Kanryō returned from China after years of instruction with Ryu Ryu Ko and founded what would become Naha-te . One of his students was the founder of Gojū-ryū , Chōjun Miyagi . Chōjun Miyagi taught such well-known karateka as Seko Higa (who also trained with Higaonna), Meitoku Yagi , Miyazato Ei'ichi , and Seikichi Toguchi , and for
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3680-724: Is this holistic approach that distinguishes Chinese martial arts as not just a means of self-defense but as a way of life, promoting personal growth, cultural understanding, and the pursuit of harmony and excellence. The Basics ( 基本功 ) are a vital part of any martial training, as a student cannot progress to the more advanced stages without them. Basics are usually made up of rudimentary techniques, conditioning exercises , including stances . Basic training may involve simple movements that are performed repeatedly; other examples of basic training are stretching, meditation, striking , throwing , or jumping. Without strong and flexible muscles, management of qi or breath, and proper body mechanics, it
3795-449: Is thought to refer to te , not today's karate, and Ankō Asato introduces Kyō Ahagon as a "prominent martial artist." However, some believe that Kyō Ahagon's anecdote is a half-legend and that it is unclear whether he was actually a te master. In the 18th century, the names of Nishinda Uēkata , Gushikawa Uēkata , and Chōken Makabe are known as masters of te . Nishinda Uēkata and Gushikawa Uēkata were martial artists active during
3910-490: Is to consider the weapon as an extension of the body. It has the same requirements for footwork and body coordination as the basics. The process of weapon training proceeds with forms, forms with partners and then applications. Most systems have training methods for each of the Eighteen Arms of Wushu ( 十八般兵器 ; shíbābānbīngqì ) in addition to specialized instruments specific to the system. Application refers to
4025-548: Is unknown if they taught karate to the Japanese in Tokyo, although there are records that Kyan taught his son karate. In 1908, students from the Okinawa Prefectural Middle School gave a karate demonstration at Butokuden in Kyoto, which was also witnessed by Kanō Jigorō (founder of judo). In May 1922, Gichin Funakoshi (founder of Shotokan ) presented pictures of karate on two hanging scrolls at
4140-412: Is used in many martial arts that survived Japan's transition from feudal culture to modern times . It implies that these arts are not just fighting systems but contain spiritual elements when promoted as disciplines. In this context dō is usually translated as "the way of …". Examples include aikido , judo, kyūdō and kendo . Thus karatedō is more than just empty hand techniques. It is "the way of
4255-480: Is viewed as an attempt to partially de-politicize organized sports and move Chinese sport policies towards a more market-driven approach. As a result of these changing sociological factors within China, both traditional styles and modern Wushu approaches are being promoted by the Chinese government. Chinese martial arts are an integral element of 20th-century Chinese popular culture. Wuxia or "martial arts fiction"
4370-634: The Pin'an forms (" Heian " in Japanese) which are simplified kata for beginning students. In 1905, Itosu helped to get karate introduced into Okinawa's public schools. These forms were taught to children at the elementary school level. Itosu's influence in karate is broad. The forms he created are common across nearly all styles of karate. His students became some of the most well-known karate masters, including Motobu Chōyū , Motobu Chōki , Yabu Kentsū , Hanashiro Chōmo , Gichin Funakoshi and Kenwa Mabuni . Itosu
4485-568: The Han Shu (history of the Former Han dynasty ) written by Ban Gu . Also, the noted physician, Hua Tuo , composed the "Five Animals Play"—tiger, deer, monkey, bear, and bird, around 208 AD. Taoist philosophy and their approach to health and exercise have influenced the Chinese martial arts to a certain extent. Direct reference to Taoist concepts can be found in such styles as the " Eight Immortals ," which uses fighting techniques attributed to
4600-665: The Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs ) claims that karate has 50 million practitioners worldwide, while the World Karate Federation claims there are 100 million practitioners around the world. Originally in Okinawa during the Ryukyu Kingdom period, there existed an indigenous Ryukyuan martial art called te (Okinawan: tī , lit. ' hand ' ). Furthermore, in the 19th century,
4715-641: The Ming period 's Yijin Jing or "Muscle Change Classic", a text written in 1624 attributed to Bodhidharma. References of martial arts practice in Shaolin appear in various literary genres of the late Ming: the epitaphs of Shaolin warrior monks, martial-arts manuals, military encyclopedias, historical writings, travelogues, fiction, and poetry. However, these sources do not point out any specific style that originated in Shaolin. These sources, in contrast to those from
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4830-490: The Taishō era (1912–1926), karate was introduced to mainland Japan by Gichin Funakoshi and Motobu Chōki . The ultranationalistic sentiment of the 1930s affected every aspect of Japanese culture. To make the imported martial art more relatable, Funakoshi incorporated elements from judo , such as the training uniforms, colored belts, and ranking systems. Karate's popularity was initially sluggish with little exposition but when
4945-661: The World Association of Kickboxing Organizations (WAKO) was mostly active in Europe and the World Kickboxing Association (WKA) in Asia, ISKA was quick to expand through its own European Directors starting October 1986 with Olivier Muller, Jérome Canabate and Mohamed Hosseini. American Richard Mayor oversaw the establishment of this European wing as European President between 1986 and 1988. By 1991,
5060-412: The bow stance are examples of stances found in many styles of Chinese martial arts. In many Chinese martial arts, meditation is considered to be an important component of basic training. Meditation can be used to develop focus, mental clarity and can act as a basis for qigong training. Through meditation , martial arts practitioners learn to regulate their breath, relax their bodies, and enter
5175-725: The logogram pronounced kara by replacing the Chinese character meaning "Tang dynasty" with the character meaning "empty" took place in Karate Kumite ( 空手組手 ) written in August 1905 by Chōmo Hanashiro (1869–1945). In mainland Japan, karate ( 空手 , empty hand) gradually began to be used from the writings of Gichin Funakoshi and Motobu Chōki in the 1920s. In 1929 the Karate Study Group of Keio University (Instructor Gichin Funakoshi) used this term in reference to
5290-473: The practical use of combative techniques. Chinese martial arts techniques are ideally based on efficiency and effectiveness. Application includes non-compliant drills, such as Pushing Hands in many internal martial arts, and sparring , which occurs within a variety of contact levels and rule sets. When and how applications are taught varies from style to style. Today, many styles begin to teach new students by focusing on exercises in which each student knows
5405-399: The 16th and 17th centuries, at least forty sources exist to provide evidence both that monks of Shaolin practiced martial arts, and that martial practice became an integral element of Shaolin monastic life. The earliest appearance of the frequently cited legend concerning Bodhidharma's supposed foundation of Shaolin kung fu dates to this period. The origin of this legend has been traced to
5520-612: The 18th century. In 1609, the Japanese Satsuma Domain invaded Ryukyu and Ryukyu became its vassal state, but it continued to pay tribute to the Ming and Qing Dynasties in China. At the time, China had implemented a policy of sea ban and only traded with tributary countries, so the Satsuma Domain wanted Ryukyu to continue its tribute to benefit from it. The envoys of the tribute mission were chosen from among
5635-414: The 1960s and 1970s served to greatly increase the popularity of martial arts around the world, and English-speakers began to use the word karate in a generic way to refer to all striking-based Asian martial arts . Karate schools ( dōjōs ) began appearing around the world, catering to those with casual interest as well as those seeking a deeper study of the art. Karate, like other Japanese martial arts,
5750-406: The 1970s. The genre underwent a drastic decline in the late 1990s as the Hong Kong film industry was crushed by economic depression. In the wake of Ang Lee 's Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000), there has been somewhat of a revival of Chinese-produced wuxia films aimed at an international audience, including Zhang Yimou 's Hero (2002), House of Flying Daggers (2004) and Curse of
5865-712: The Golden Flower (2006), as well as Su Chao-pin and John Woo 's Reign of Assassins (2010). China boasts a rich history of martial arts traditions encompassing numerous styles, totaling in the hundreds. Over the course of the past two millennia , a multitude of distinct styles have been developed, each with its own unique techniques and philosophies. These styles are often categorized into "families" (家; jiā), "schools" (派; pai), or "sects" (門; men). While each style possesses its own characteristics, there are also common themes that thread through different styles. Some styles draw inspiration from animal movements, replicating
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#17327933970805980-564: The Grand Historian , written by Sima Qian (ca. 100 BC). In the Tang dynasty , descriptions of sword dances were immortalized in poems by Li Bai . In the Song and Yuan dynasties , xiangpu(相扑) contests were sponsored by the imperial courts. The modern concepts of wushu were fully developed by the Ming and Qing dynasties. The ideas associated with Chinese martial arts changed with
6095-496: The Japanese Satsuma Domain and had become its vassal state since 1609, but was formally annexed to the Empire of Japan in 1879 as Okinawa Prefecture . The Ryukyuan samurai ( Okinawan : samurē ) who had been the bearers of karate lost their privileged position, and with it, karate was in danger of losing transmission. However, karate gradually regained popularity after 1905, when it began to be taught in schools in Okinawa. During
6210-673: The National Government in 1928 and the Jing Wu Athletic Association (精武體育會) founded by Huo Yuanjia in 1910 are examples of organizations that promoted a systematic approach for training in Chinese martial arts. A series of provincial and national competitions were organized by the Republican government starting in 1932 to promote Chinese martial arts. In 1936, at the 11th Olympic Games in Berlin,
6325-722: The PKA had been the most recognized worldwide kickboxing sanctioning group. It was instrumental in establishing public relay of the sport via ESPN, helping to introduce the burgeoning sport to a wider audience, and had also developed the first fighter's ratings systems. Five major U.S.-based promoters and resigning PKA executives created the new body, the International Sport Karate Association (ISKA), with an official announcement on July 16, 1986. The first U.S. directors were Mike Sawyer, Karyn Turner , Tony Thompson, John Worley and Scott Coker . It currently runs
6440-416: The Satsuma Domain in 1609. Through the two policies, the popular belief that Ryukyuan samurai, who were deprived of their weapons, developed karate to compete with Satsuma's samurai has traditionally been referred to as if it were a historical fact. But in recent years many researchers have questioned the causal relationship between the policy of banning weapons and the development of karate. For example, as
6555-495: The Satsuma Domain, a number of Ryukyuan masters of swordsmanship, spearmanship, archery, and other arts are known. Therefore, some researchers criticize the theory that karate developed due to the policy of banning weapons as "a rumor on the street with no basis at all." Karate began as a common fighting system known as te (Okinawan: tī ) among the Ryukyuan samurai class. There were few formal styles of te, but rather many practitioners with their own methods. One surviving example
6670-584: The Showa era (1926–1989), other Okinawan karate masters also came to mainland Japan to teach karate. These included Kenwa Mabuni , Chōjun Miyagi , Kanken Tōyama , and Kanbun Uechi . Chinese martial arts Chinese martial arts , commonly referred to with umbrella terms kung fu ( / ˈ k ʌ ŋ ˈ f uː / ; Chinese : 功夫 ; pinyin : gōngfu ; Cantonese Yale : gūng fū ), kuoshu ( 國術 ; guóshù ) or wushu ( 武術 ; wǔshù ), are multiple fighting styles that have developed over
6785-470: The Tang period, refer to Shaolin methods of armed combat. These include a skill for which Shaolin monks became famous: the staff ( gùn , Cantonese gwan ). The Ming general Qi Jiguang included a description of Shaolin kung fu and staff techniques in his book, Jixiao Xinshu , which can translate as New Book Recording Effective Techniques . When this book spread across East Asia, it had a great influence on
6900-457: The [6th century BC] by Sun Tzu ( simplified Chinese : 孙子 ; traditional Chinese : 孫子 ; pinyin : Sūnzǐ ), deals directly with military warfare but contains ideas that are used in the Chinese martial arts. Taoist practitioners have been practicing daoyin (physical exercises similar to qigong that was one of the progenitors to tai chi ) from as early as 500 BC. In 39–92 AD, "Six Chapters of Hand Fighting", were included in
7015-702: The absence of either one would render the practitioner's skills unbalanced or deficient, as yin and yang alone are each only half of a whole. If such differences did once exist, they have since been blurred. Chinese martial arts training consists of the following components: basics, forms, applications and weapons; different styles place varying emphasis on each component. In addition, philosophy, ethics and even medical practice are highly regarded by most Chinese martial arts. A complete training system should also provide insight into Chinese attitudes and culture. Moreover, many Chinese martial arts styles integrate traditional medical practices into their training. This includes
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#17327933970807130-654: The agility and power of creatures such as tigers, snakes, or monkeys. Others derive their inspiration from Chinese philosophies, myths, and legends, incorporating their principles and symbolism into their techniques. Certain styles place significant emphasis on harnessing and manipulating qi , while others prioritize competitive aspects, focusing on sparring and tournaments. Chinese martial arts can be split into various categories to differentiate them: For example, "external" ( 外家拳 ) and " internal " ( 內家拳 ). Chinese martial arts can also be categorized by location, as in "northern" and "southern" as well, referring to what part of China
7245-426: The basis for King Shō Shin's policy of banning weapons, an inscription on the parapet of the main hall of Shuri Castle ( 百浦添欄干之銘 , 1509), which states that "swords, bows and arrows are to be piled up exclusively as weapons of national defense," has been conventionally interpreted as meaning "weapons were collected and sealed in a warehouse." However, in recent years, researchers of Okinawan studies have pointed out that
7360-461: The biggest martial arts tournament in the world, The U.S Open. Thousands of competitors from around the world participate every year. Many of the major PKA promoters began sanctioning their events with the ISKA and several also joined its administration. ISKA also secured ESPN broadcasts of its major title bouts in 1986, thus helping bring quick credibility and recognition to the new association. Since
7475-742: The centuries in Greater China . These fighting styles are often classified according to common traits, identified as "families" of martial arts. Examples of such traits include Shaolinquan ( 少林拳 ) physical exercises involving All Other Animals ( 五形 ) mimicry or training methods inspired by Old Chinese philosophies , religions and legends. Styles that focus on qi manipulation are called internal ( 内家拳 ; nèijiāquán ), while others that concentrate on improving muscle and cardiovascular fitness are called external ( 外家拳 ; wàijiāquán ). Geographical associations, as in northern ( 北拳 ; běiquán ) and southern ( 南拳 ; nánquán ),
7590-457: The chance of serious injury. Competitive sparring disciplines include Chinese kickboxing Sǎnshǒu ( 散手 ) and Chinese folk wrestling Shuāijiāo ( 摔跤 ), which were traditionally contested on a raised platform arena, or Lèitái ( 擂台 ). Lèitái were used in public challenge matches first appeared in the Song dynasty . The objective for those contests was to knock the opponent from a raised platform by any means necessary. San Shou represents
7705-470: The characteristics of each immortal. In 495 AD, the first Shaolin temple was constructed on Song Mountain in Henan province. The initial Buddhist monk who propagated Buddhism there was an Indian monk named Buddhabhadra, known as Batuo in Chinese. Historical records suggest that Batuo's first Chinese disciples, Huiguang and Sengchou, possessed exceptional martial skills. For instance, Sengchou's proficiency with
7820-486: The classic texts of Confucianism , Zhou Li ( 周禮 ), Archery and charioteering were part of the "six arts" (simplified Chinese: 六艺 ; traditional Chinese: 六藝 ; pinyin: Liù yì , including rites , music , calligraphy and mathematics ) of the Zhou dynasty (1122–256 BC). The Art of War ( simplified Chinese : 孙子兵法 ; traditional Chinese : 孫子兵法 ; pinyin : Sūnzǐ bīngfǎ ), written during
7935-459: The concept of emptiness in the Heart Sutra , and this terminology was later popularized, especially in Tokyo. There is also a theory that the background for this name change was the worsening of Japan-China relations at the time. On 25 October 1936 a roundtable meeting of karate masters was held in Naha, Okinawa Prefecture, and it was officially resolved to use the name karate (empty hand) in
8050-496: The correct interpretation is that "swords, bows and arrows were collected and used as weapons of the state." It is also known that the policy of banning weapons (a 1613 notice to the Ryukyu royal government), which is said to have been implemented by the Satsuma Domain, only prohibited the carrying of swords and other weapons, but not their possession, and was a relatively lax regulation. This notice stated, "(1) The possession of guns
8165-416: The decline of Okinawa-te . Around 1905, when karate began to be taught in public schools in Okinawa, tōde was read kun’yomi and called karate ( 唐手 , lit. ' Tang hand ' ) in the Japanese style. Both tōde and karate are written in the same Chinese characters meaning "Tang/China hand," but the former is on'yomi (Chinese reading) and the latter is kun'yomi (Japanese reading). Since
8280-473: The development of martial arts in regions such as Okinawa and Korea. Most fighting styles that are being practiced as traditional Chinese martial arts today reached their popularity within the 20th century. Some of these include Baguazhang , Drunken Boxing , Eagle Claw , Five Animals , Xingyi , Hung Gar , Monkey , Bak Mei Pai , Northern Praying Mantis , Southern Praying Mantis , Fujian White Crane , Jow Ga , Wing Chun and tai chi . The increase in
8395-410: The development of unarmed combat techniques in Ryukyu has conventionally been attributed to a policy of banning weapons, which is said to have been implemented on two occasions. The first was during the reign of King Shō Shin (1476–1526; r. 1477–1527), when weapons were collected from all over the country and strictly controlled by the royal government. The second time was after the invasion of Ryukyu by
8510-399: The distinction between Okinawa-te and tōde was already blurred at that time, karate was used to encompass both. "Kara (から)" is a kun’yomi for the character "唐" (tō/とう in on'yomi ) which is derived from " Gaya Confederacy (加羅)" and later included things deriving from China (specifically from the Tang dynasty ). Therefore, tōde and karate (Tang hand) differ in the scope of meaning of
8625-420: The early modern era, when China was highly revered, many martial artists traveled to China to practice Chinese kenpo, and added it to the ancient kenpo, the so-called 'Okinawa-te'. After further study, they discarded the disadvantages of both, adopted their advantages, and added more subtlety, and karate was born." Early styles of karate are often generalized as Shuri-te , Naha-te , and Tomari-te , named after
8740-508: The empty hand". Since the 1980s the term karate ( カラテ ) has been written in katakana instead of Chinese characters, mainly by Kyokushin Karate (founder: Masutatsu Oyama ). In Japan, katakana is mainly used for foreign words, giving Kyokushin Karate a modern and new impression. There are several theories regarding the origins of karate, but the main ones are as follows. In Okinawa there
8855-592: The end of the Chinese Civil War and the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1, 1949. Many well known martial artists chose to escape from the PRC's rule and migrate to Taiwan , Hong Kong , and other parts of the world. Those masters started to teach within the overseas Chinese communities but eventually they expanded their teachings to include people from other ethnic groups. Within China,
8970-479: The evolution of Chinese society and over time acquired some philosophical bases: Passages in the Zhuangzi ( 莊子 ), a Taoist text, pertain to the psychology and practice of martial arts. Zhuangzi , its eponymous author, is believed to have lived in the [4th century BC]. The Tao Te Ching , often credited to Laozi , is another Taoist text that contains principles applicable to martial arts. According to one of
9085-467: The first Physical Education Exhibition in Tokyo. The following June, Funakoshi was invited to the Kodokan to give a karate demonstration in front of Jigoro Kano and other judo experts. This was the beginning of the full-scale introduction of karate in Tokyo. In November 1922, Motobu Chōki (founder of Motobu-ryū ) participated in a judo versus boxing match in Kyoto, defeating a foreign boxer. The match
9200-694: The foreign powers. The failure of the rebellion led ten years later to the fall of the Qing dynasty and the creation of the Chinese Republic . The present view of Chinese martial arts is strongly influenced by the events of the Republican period (1912–1949). In the transition period between the fall of the Qing dynasty as well as the turmoil of the Japanese invasion and the Chinese Civil War, Chinese martial arts became more accessible to
9315-471: The foundation and the form of a fighter's base. Each style has different names and variations for each stance. Stances may be differentiated by foot position, weight distribution, body alignment, etc. Stance training can be practiced statically, the goal of which is to maintain the structure of the stance through a set time period, or dynamically, in which case a series of movements is performed repeatedly. The Horse stance ( 騎馬步/馬步 ; qí mǎ bù / mǎ bù ) and
9430-548: The general public as many martial artists were encouraged to openly teach their art. At that time, some considered martial arts as a means to promote national pride and build a strong nation. As a result, many training manuals (拳譜) were published, a training academy was created, two national examinations were organized and demonstration teams traveled overseas. Numerous martial arts associations were formed throughout China and in various overseas Chinese communities. The Central Guoshu Academy (Zhongyang Guoshuguan, 中央國術館) established by
9545-461: The human body. Such techniques are known as dim mak and have principles that are similar to acupressure . Most Chinese styles also make use of training in the broad arsenal of Chinese weapons for conditioning the body as well as coordination and strategy drills. Weapons training ( 器械 ; qìxiè ) is generally carried out after the student becomes proficient with the basic forms and applications training. The basic theory for weapons training
9660-517: The internal energy (known as " qi " in qigong ). They learn to manipulate the flow of qi through deep breathing and visualization exercises to promote bodily balance, harmony , and health. Therefore, meditation, as a part of foundational training, offers Chinese martial arts practitioners a comprehensive approach to cultivating both the internal and external aspects. It assists them in developing various aspects of their body, energy, and mind, thereby enhancing their technical skills. The concept of qi
9775-648: The kickboxing promotion GLORY . ISKA is a sport karate , all styles kickboxing , mixed martial arts (MMA) sanctioning body in the United States and over 50 countries worldwide. ISKA's Martial Arts World Championships are held yearly at the US Open of Martial Arts in Disney World , Orlando , Florida. The US Open ISKA World Martial Arts Championships is held annually every year on the Fourth of July weekend. More than 8,000 competitors and 12,000 spectators attend
9890-481: The looming threat of a full-scale war between the two countries. In 1933, the Japanese character for karate was altered to a homophone— a word pronounced identically but with a different meaning. Thus, "Chinese hand" was replaced with "empty hand." But this name change did not immediately spread among Okinawan karate practitioners. There were many karate practitioners, such as Chōjun Miyagi , who still used te in everyday conversation until World War II. When karate
10005-552: The modern development of Lei Tai contests, but with rules in place to reduce the chance of serious injury. Many Chinese martial art schools teach or work within the rule sets of Sanshou, working to incorporate the movements, characteristics, and theory of their style. Chinese martial artists also compete in non-Chinese or mixed Combat sport , including boxing, kickboxing and Mixed martial arts . Forms or taolu (Chinese: 套路 ; pinyin: tàolù ) in Chinese are series of predetermined movements combined so they can be practiced as
10120-457: The most important practices in Chinese martial arts. Traditionally, they played a smaller role in training for combat application and took a back seat to sparring, drilling, and conditioning. Forms gradually build up a practitioner's flexibility, internal and external strength, speed and stamina, and they teach balance and coordination. Many styles contain forms that use weapons of various lengths and types, using one or two hands. Some styles focus on
10235-446: The name for the modern sport of wushu , an exhibition and full-contact sport of bare-handed and weapon forms ( 套路 ), adapted and judged to a set of aesthetic criteria for points developed since 1949 in the People's Republic of China . Quánfǎ ( 拳法 ) is another Chinese term for Chinese martial arts. It means "fist method" or "the law of the fist" ( quán means "boxing" or "fist", and fǎ means "law", "way" or "method"), although as
10350-406: The northern styles include changquan and xingyiquan . Examples of the southern styles include Bak Mei , Wuzuquan , Choy Li Fut , and Wing Chun . Chinese martial arts can also be divided according to religion, imitative-styles ( 象形拳 ), and family styles such as Hung Gar ( 洪家 ). There are distinctive differences in the training between different groups of the Chinese martial arts regardless of
10465-603: The popularity of those styles is a result of the dramatic changes occurring within the Chinese society. In 1900–01, the Righteous and Harmonious Fists rose against foreign occupiers and Christian missionaries in China. This uprising is known in the West as the Boxer Rebellion due to the martial arts and calisthenics practiced by the rebels. Empress Dowager Cixi gained control of the rebellion and tried to use it against
10580-557: The practice of traditional martial arts was discouraged during the turbulent years of the Chinese Cultural Revolution (1969–1976). Like many other aspects of traditional Chinese life, martial arts were subjected to a radical transformation by the People's Republic of China to align them with Maoist revolutionary doctrine. The PRC promoted the committee-regulated sport of Wushu as a replacement for independent schools of martial arts. This new competition sport
10695-421: The reign of King Shō Kei (reigned 1713–1751). Nishinda Uēkata was good at spear as well as te , and Gushikawa Uēkata was also good at wooden sword (swordsmanship). Chōken Makabe was a man of the late 18th century. His light stature and jumping ability gave him the nickname "Makabe Chān-gwā " ( lit. ' little fighting cock ' ), as he was like a chān (fighting cock). The ceiling of his house
10810-488: The reign of King Shō Kei, was a monk who went to the Qing Dynasty to study Chinese martial arts and was reportedly one of the best martial artists of his time in Ryukyu. It is not known when the name tōde ( 唐手 , lit. ' Tang hand ' ) first came into use in the Ryukyu Kingdom, but according to Ankō Asato, it was popularized from Kanga Sakugawa (1786–1867), who was nicknamed "Tōde Sakugawa." Sakugawa
10925-636: The samurai class of Ryukyu, and they went to Fuzhou in Fujian and stayed there for six months to a year and a half. Government-funded and privately funded foreign students were also sent to study in Beijing or Fuzhou for several years. Some of these envoys and students studied Chinese martial arts in China. The styles of Chinese martial arts they studied are not known for certain, but it is assumed that they studied Fujian White Crane and other styles from Fujian Province. Sōryo Tsūshin (monk Tsūshin), active during
11040-471: The school. Weapons-based sparring forms are especially useful for teaching students the extension, range, and technique required to manage a weapon. The term taolu (套路) is a shortened version of Tao Lu Yun Dong (套路運動) , an expression introduced only recently with the popularity of modern wushu. This expression refers to "exercise sets" and used in the context of athletics or sport. In contrast, in traditional Chinese martial arts alternative terminologies for
11155-488: The semi-mythical Xia dynasty over 4,000 years ago. It is said that the Yellow Emperor (Huangdi), who ascended to power in 2698 BC, introduced the earliest fighting systems to China. The Emperor is renowned as a great general who, prior to becoming China's leader, authored extensive treatises on medicine, astrology, and the martial arts. One of his primary adversaries was Chi You, credited as the progenitor of jiao di,
11270-495: The sense of kūshu kūken ( 空手空拳 , lit. ' without anything in the hands or fists ' ). To commemorate this day, the Okinawa Prefectural Assembly passed a resolution in 2005 to decide 25 October as "Karate Day." Another nominal development is the addition of dō ( 道 ; どう ) to the end of the word karate. Dō is a suffix having numerous meanings including road, path, route and way. It
11385-661: The state and development of Chinese martial arts became available from the Nanjing decade (1928–1937), as the Central Guoshu Institute established by the Kuomintang regime made an effort to compile an encyclopedic survey of martial arts schools. Since the 1950s, the People's Republic of China has organized Chinese martial arts as an exhibition and full-contact sport under the heading of "wushu" . According to legend, Chinese martial arts originated before
11500-527: The styles originated from, separated by the Yangtze River ; Chinese martial arts may even be classified according to their province or city. The main perceived difference between northern and southern styles is that the northern styles tend to emphasize fast and powerful kicks, high jumps and generally fluid and rapid movement, while the southern styles focus more on strong arm and hand techniques, and stable, immovable stances and fast footwork. Examples of
11615-539: The term kung fu refers to any skill that is acquired through learning or practice. It is a compound word composed of the words 功 (gōng) meaning "work", "achievement", or "merit", and 夫 (fū) which is a particle or nominal suffix with diverse meanings. Wushu literally means " martial art ". It is formed from the two Chinese characters 武術 : 武 ( wǔ ), meaning " martial " or " military " and 術 or 术 ( shù ), which translates into " art ", " discipline ", " skill " or " method ". The term wushu has also become
11730-490: The three cities from which they emerged. Each area and its teachers had particular kata, techniques, and principles that distinguished their local version of te from the others. Around the 1820s, Matsumura Sōkon (1809–1899) began teaching Okinawa-te . Matsumura was, according to one theory, a student of Sakugawa. Matsumura's style later became the origin of many Shuri-te schools. Itosu Ankō (1831–1915) studied under Matsumura and Bushi Nagahama of Naha-te . He created
11845-528: The tin staff is documented in the Chinese Buddhist canon. Following Buddhabhadra , another Indian monk named Bodhidharma, also known as Damo in Chinese, arrived at Shaolin in 527 AD. His Chinese disciple, Huike, was likewise a highly skilled martial artist. There are indications that these first three Chinese Shaolin monks—Huiguang, Sengchou, and Huike—may have had a military background prior to embracing monastic life . The Shaolin style of kung fu
11960-864: The two-day event each year. The event closes with the Night of Champions featuring the ISKA World Martial Arts Championships, which was featured on ESPN in both live and pre-recorded segments. The US Open was the longest continuously running martial arts event on ESPN until 2023, when it moved to FITE. The US Open highlights continue to air throughout the year on CSI Sports networks, reaching approximately 85 million households. Web resources Books and articles Sport karate Karate ( 空手 ) ( / k ə ˈ r ɑː t i / ; Japanese pronunciation: [kaɾate] ; Okinawan pronunciation: [kaɽati] ), also karate-do ( 空手道 , Karate-dō ) ,
12075-467: The type of classification. However, few experienced martial artists make a clear distinction between internal and external styles, or subscribe to the idea of northern systems being predominantly kick-based and southern systems relying more heavily on upper-body techniques. Most styles contain both hard and soft elements, regardless of their internal nomenclature. Analyzing the difference in accordance with yin and yang principles, philosophers would assert that
12190-496: The understanding of meridians, pressure points, and herbal remedies , as well as exercises that promote health, vitality , and longevity. The holistic approach to training seeks to cultivate both internal and external strength, promoting overall well-being and balance. Furthermore, Chinese martial arts serve as a vessel for preserving and transmitting cultural values and attitudes. Respect for teachers, dedication, discipline, and perseverance are instilled in practitioners, fostering
12305-544: The words. Japan sent envoys to the Tang dynasty and introduced much Chinese culture. Gichin Funakoshi proposed that tōde /karate may have been used instead of te , as Tang became a synonym for luxury imported goods. According to Gichin Funakoshi, the word pronounced karate ( から手 ) existed in the Ryukyu Kingdom period, but it is unclear whether it meant Tang hand ( 唐手 ) or empty hand ( 空手 ) . The Chinese origins of karate were increasingly viewed with suspicion due to rising tensions between China and Japan and as well as
12420-538: The worldwide control of the ISKA was shared by two co-chairmen: Mike Sawyer and Olivier Muller. International TV coverage was secured, and united separate organizations were formed worldwide to handle responsibility for international sanctioning and grading. In 1997, Cory Schafer was appointed ISKA President. By the early 2000s ISKA began sanctioning K-1 events such as K1-MAX and K-1 USA, and for several years they also sanctioned both kickboxing and MMA events for Strikeforce . Starting from 2012, ISKA sanctioned events for
12535-528: Was a leading figure of Chinese Nanpa Shorin-ken style at that time. He later developed his own style of Uechi-ryū karate based on the Sanchin , Seisan , and Sanseiryu kata that he had studied in China. When Shō Tai , the last king of the Ryūkyū Kingdom, was ordered to move to Tokyo in 1879, he was accompanied by prominent karate masters such as Ankō Asato and Chōfu Kyan (father of Chōtoku Kyan ). It
12650-466: Was a samurai from Shuri who traveled to Qing China to learn Chinese martial arts. The martial arts he mastered were new and different from te. As tōde was spread by Sakugawa, traditional te became distinguished as Okinawa-te ( 沖縄手 , lit. ' Okinawa hand ' ), and gradually faded away as it merged with tōde . It is generally believed that today's karate is a result of the synthesis of te ( Okinawa-te ) and tōde . Funakoshi writes, "In
12765-491: Was an ancient martial dance called mēkata ( 舞方 ). The dancers danced to the accompaniment of songs and sanshin music, similar to karate kata. In the Okinawan countryside, mēkata remained until the early 20th century. There is a theory that from this mēkata with martial elements, te (Okinawan: tī , hand) was born and developed into karate. This theory is advocated by Ankō Asato and his student Gichin Funakoshi. It
12880-466: Was brought to Ryukyu after the invasion of Ryukyu by the Satsuma Domain (Keichō 14, 1609), as well as the theory that it was introduced by Kōshōkun (Okinawan: Kūsankū) based on the description in Ōshima Writing . There are also other theories, such as that it developed from Okinawan sumo ( shima ) or that it originated from jujutsu , which had been introduced from Japan. The reason for
12995-503: Was disassociated from what was seen as the potentially subversive self-defense aspects and family lineages of Chinese martial arts. In 1958, the government established the All-China Wushu Association as an umbrella organization to regulate martial arts training. The Chinese State Commission for Physical Culture and Sports took the lead in creating standardized forms for most of the major arts. During this period,
13110-507: Was featured in Japan's largest magazine " King ," which had a circulation of about one million at the time, and karate and Motobu's name became instantly known throughout Japan. In 1922, Funakoshi published the first book on karate, and in 1926 Motobu published the first technical book on kumite. As karate's popularity grew, karate clubs were established one after another in Japanese universities with Funakoshi and Motobu as instructors. In
13225-410: Was first taught in mainland Japan in the 1920s, Gichin Funakoshi and Motobu Chōki used the name karate-jutsu ( 唐手術 , lit. ' Tang hand art ' ) along with karate. The word jutsu ( 術 ) means art or technique, and in those days it was often used as a suffix to the name of each martial art, as in jujutsu and kenjutsu (swordsmanship). The first documented use of a homophone of
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