The word itself literally means "empty hands." Kara means empty, and te means hands. Thus, karate is the art of "empty-hand fighting."

The progenitor of modern karate developed on Okinawa over several hundred years prior to the Meiji restoration (1868), and was practiced in secret by the Okinawans, who were prohibited from possessing weapons. Until the 20th century, karate was mostly a disorganized conglomeration of various fighting techniques created by numerous Okinawans. Around the turn of the century, however, Gichin Funakoshi, an Okinawan schoolteacher who is now remembered as the father of modern karate, organized and systematized the art, blending together what he perceived to be the best elements created by the various practitioners.

Funakoshi, along with his two, primary teachers, Yoshitsune Itosu and Yoshitsune Azato, introduced karate into the Okinawan school system in 1903 as a physical education program, and in 1922, he formally introduced the art to Japan.

Karate proved to be so popular in Japan that by 1935, Funakoshi was able to propose that the art be called karate-do (pronounced as in "bread dough") and be acknowledged as a formal Japanese art.

To defeat an opponent is not the final purpose of karate training in its modern manifestation. The ultimate aim of karate is development of the character of those who practice it, and rigorous discipline is required to attain that goal. Students must learn to defend themselves unarmed, using various parts of the body for blocking, punching, striking, and kicking.

Besides being a superior form of self-defense, karate also is an ideal physical art, making balanced use of all parts of the body.

Because karate has proven to be such an effective form of self-defense, it has grown rapidly in popularity throughout the world in recent years.

Additionally, the sport aspect of karate has increased greatly in popularity. The beauty of the form and the speed and excitement of karate matches draws more and more spectators to karate tournaments every year.

As physical conditioning, karate is unsurpassed in the development of coordination, agility, endurance, and strength, and the training can be adapted to every individual, regardless of age ,sex, or physique. Anyone who can participate in regular, moderate physical activity can learn karate.

Ironically, strength and athletic ability are of little importance in the practice of karate. What is important is the balanced use of the entire body and mind. Technique without the unification of mind and body, spirit and will, will fail in time of crisis. And this unification of mind and action must become a part of the nature of the practitioner--not only in combat, but in every phase of daily life.

The art of karate must be studied with humility and sincerity. Students who persevere will gain confidence, gentleness, and self-control. Through rigorous training of the mind and body and overcoming problems and stress situations placed before them by their teacher, students gain strength and confidence in themselves, both physically and mentally. Fears disappear, and students are able to relate to others without antagonism or feelings of inferiority. Because of their newly found strength, students of karate tend to find the problems of everyday living less ominous. When they become confident that they can meet all others on an equal level without fear, karate students tend to be less perplexed by problematic situations.

Karate teaches that the mind must be clear and objective, like the clear, undisturbed surface of a pond, which reflects all things surrounding it equally and exactly as they are. If the water is in tumult, it cannot reflect clearly. So it is with the mind. If the mind is disturbed and muddled, it cannot reflect objectively on the situation at hand, and the proper course of action is left to chance.

A clear, reflective mind is cultivated through strictly disciplined concentration upon the intentions, techniques, and movements of one's adversary. In the dojo (training hall), a lapse in total concentration means instant defeat. In actual combat, the results could be disastrous.

In the dojo, students must commit 100 percent of their attention to the intentions and movements of the opponent, and once the attack is perceived, act instantly to re-direct it against itself. In time students carry with them from the dojo this sense of awareness, concentration, and confidence.

It is common to hear that the best defense is a good offense, but one who is proficient in karate knows that the best defense is avoidance of any situation that may lead to conflict. If avoidance is not possible, running away and seeking shelter is the best course of action. Students who train with commitment and humility learn to run with confidence.

However, if a surprise attack occurs suddenly without warning, and if all possible courses of reason and escape have been exhausted, karate students are taught to act instantly, with utter commitment to protecting themselves.

As a method of self-defense, karate is completely functional for all people of all ages. The physical techniques are fast, powerful, and completely effective in any situation requiring self-defense.

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