What is karate really?

What is karate, in general terms, everyone knows. However, in reality this, of course, is not so. As for many aspects of this martial art, there are common misconceptions. It is noteworthy that not all those who deal with it can answer what the word "karate" means.

In fact, this is a "Chinese hand". This is a variant of the struggle, borrowed in China. Hundreds of years of karate has been cultivated in Okinawa, while in Japan no one knew about it yet. Once, three Okinawan fighters in Japan and opened local karate schools, which were later called classical. During the heyday of the Empire, everything was looking for Japanese roots. The same has affected karate. The hieroglyph of "kara", designating China, was replaced with the same sounding "empty". "The Chinese hand" has become an "empty (unarmed) hand." In this sound, the Japanese learned about what karate is. In this version, the authorities supported a new martial art with a Japanese name.

Unprepared viewers, seeing as their hands break solid objects, attribute the technique to supernatural efficiency. In fact, there is no place for demonstration here. Karate is the path through which all life goes, strengthening the spirit and tempering the body, opening up new abilities. This art does not teach the technique of striking and the ability to break bricks, it introduces another way of life in which everything is interdependent and there is harmony. To understand what karate is, it must be perceived as a philosophy, and not as a sport. The purpose of karate is to help society, and not to hurt people.

The main goal of this martial art is to teach defense. In art of this kind there are no victories and defeats, because it is not quite a sport. Although now it is exactly the majority and is perceived. Yes, indeed, this is also a sporting combat that exists in 3 forms: kumite (free fight), kata (system of exercises) and taeshivari (breaking objects).

If you choose a sport, then the coach in karate will help you with the direction. However, in the first place it is still a self-defense technique that turns your very body into a weapon. This technique of fighting is characterized by a variety of ways to counter possible enemies. Regardless of what method the enemy chooses, there will always be a part of the body that is unprotected, which allows you to conduct countermeasures and repel an attack.

The graduation of skill reflects the karate and degree belts . Student degrees - kyu (total 9), workshops - dan (9). The colors of the belts vary in skill level. The higher the level, the darker the shade. Previously there were only 2 student belts, and now seven (from white to brown). Masters wear black.

If you want to feel what karate is, read its basic postulates. In this art, an extreme degree of determination is important. In no case should one lose self-control, even if you are attacked with a weapon (including a gun). It is not allowed to attack first, but to use your skills only for protection. If you agree with this, then karate is for you.