Karate is one of the oldest, most complex and most effective martial arts which has successfully found its way to modern times and has also become a sport. It has developed for centuries on the island of Okinawa, from where it first spread to Japan at the beginning of the 20th century and then to the whole world.

Karate may be defined as self-defence without arms. It consists of dynamic offensive and defensive techniques using all parts of the body to their maximum advantage.

Karate practice can be divided into three mutually related categories:
 
• Kihon (training of stances, blocks, punches and kicks)
• Kata (simulation of fighting situations)
• Kumite (sparring with one or more opponents)

Karate involves many styles, which are considered independent today. The most widespread are:

Shotokan ryu - founded by Gichin Funakoshi
Goju ryu - founded by Chojun Miyagi
Shito ryu - founded by Kenwu Mabuni
Wado ryu - founded by Hironori Otsuka
Kyokushinkai ryu - founded by Masutatsu Oyama

You can find more information about karate history and theory, e.g. on www.karatetygr.cz. By clicking on this link you can enter directly the “About karate” section on this website.