Karate-do (Okinawa - Japan) Karate, or more fully Karate-do, is a martial art that originated in the province of Okinawa, which today belongs to Japan. Karate is primarily a stand-up martial art that focuses on punching techniques, kicking techniques, knee and elbow strikes (in some styles), and open-hand techniques, such as knife-hand strikes.
There are several branches or styles within Karate-do, each with its own specific execution of techniques and basic exercises, although the fundamental principles are more or less the same. In addition to strikes and kicks, some styles also practice throws, chokes, joint locks, and pressure-point techniques.
Karate literally means ‘empty hand’ in Japanese. The term consists of two ‘kanji’ characters: ‘kara’ and ‘te’. Someone who practices karate is called a karateka. The word ‘ka’ is a suffix for Japanese martial artists. Other examples include: budo-ka, judo-ka and Jiu Jitsu-ka.
Karate Equipment
Karate practitioners always wear a uniform, known as a gi. It is somewhat more flexible and lighter than the comparable judo gi. Protective equipment is also used during training: a mouthguard, groinguard, shin guards and open-finger gloves. Some schools and styles use so-called safety equipment: gloves and safety kicks.
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