Sports in Japan: Karate and Kumite

(Figure 1)

When directly translated, Karate means empty handed. Karate is a a sport with both disicpline in kata, form, and kumite, a form of hand to hand combat. The origins of Karate have been traced back to China, and the monks of Sholin, but is "believed to have traces from India (1). What is known is that Karate came to Japan through Okinawa (2). A Karate master, by the name of Funakoshi, brought Karate form Okinawa to Japan in the early 20th century (1). He was also responsible for changing the Kanji and the meaning of Karate from the Chinese word for Tseng Fist to the Japanese word Empty hand (3). From there the martial art has flurished in practice around the world.

What has made it Japanese was the adoption of the Dogi, borrowed from Bushi-do, marital arts of Japanese origin, which is also practice around the world today. It also was once nationally, in Japan, installed in schools before World War II (3). Karate in now.

My interest was sparked in the sport by my host family. My two host brothers though eight and ten have been practicing Karate since the age of 4 years old. Though they prefer the kumite aspect of the sport, one must learn the form, kata, before advancing to the next level of expertise.


(A kumite match photographed by Rochelle R.)


(Awards ceremony after all Kumite Shiai, photo by Rochelle R.)

Kumite is a fast-paced match between two opponents who are striving to get 2 points before the 1 and 1/2 minute time limit. To recieve a point one must make complete contact with a foot or hand on the opponent unguarded area.


(Video borrowed from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6euRSjH9Lg)

1. http://www.americanblackbeltacademy.com/dojo/MartialArtsHistory.htm
2. http://www.experiencefestival.com/a/Karate_-_History/id/5202043
3. http://www.experiencefestival.com/a/Karate_-_History/id/5202043
Figure 1 http://www.deonandan.com/images/karate.gif
Video 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6euRSjH9Lg