Of all the Martial systems that hail from Japan and the Ryukyu Islands, Karate has probably had more impact on the rest of the world than any of the other noble systems. According to Hollywood, a sheriff in the old west may be quick on the draw but would also have to be quick with his side kick to earn his beans and grits. Alas we now know how Robin Hood evaded the dastardly Sheriff of Nottingham not just with his archery skills and daring-do approach, England was saved by the kicking and striking skills of Robin and his merry dojo. Even cartoon characters are masters of the empty hand.

The origins of Karate lay in myth and legend and since the 1920s there have been countless books published in the world on the subject of Karate. Many are scholarly works of great depth, others are painstaking translations of earlier Japanese editions, with many others great books that add much to the understanding of the student of Karate. Alas some are no more than glorification of the author. What books fall into each category, you must decide.

Okinawa is the largest island in the Ryukyu Island chain and was once a united kingdom until the invasion by the Satsuma Clan brought it as part of Japan . There is much written about the great weapons hunt by Sho Hashi, the King who united the three kingdoms of the Ryukyu Islands over five hundred years ago, and later, the weapon ban and hunt by the conquering Satsuma and the effect this had on the development of that is now known as Karate. There are plenty of scholarly works on this for those who wish to research the past.

Okinawa with its unique position between Japan and China would have enjoyed the cultural and trade benefits that such geographical position would yield. For century’s martial students from Okinawa and mainland Japan had travelled to mainland China to study martial systems. The indigenous and unique Okinawa empty hand fighting system absorbed these influences while maintaining its own identity it as been known by many names over the century’s To-Da, Okinawa-Te and Ryukyu-Kempo are but a few.

Karate as we conceive of it today stems back to the restoration of the Meiji area 1868-1912. It is from that point that things start to become a little clearer. In as much as two main schools existed, Shorei-ryu, that tended to be practiced by big boned solid people, and the Shorin-ryu, that was favoured by people build for speed. However, each of the systems had its inherent weakness so a serious student would practice the two forms.

During the early part of the 19^th century, Funakoshi Gichin, would give the first public demonstration and by invitation, go to mainland Japan and stay there for the rest of his life bringing Karate to the notice of the Japanese public at large. The Karate of Master Funakoshi was the blend of Shorei-ryu and Shorin-ryu, he personally would not name his system but it became known as Funakoshi- Ryu or more commonly Shotokan. He was not alone, shortly after came Miyagi Chogun, who would develop a famous system called Goju-Ryu, again a blend of the Shorei and Shorin. Several other great masters followed and established what are now world renowned systems. One of Funakoshi`s most senior followers Master Ohtsuka would go on to found Wado-Ryu, another great system practised worldwide. Would Funakoshi, Miyagi, or Ohtsuka recognise the Karate of today? Probably not, but there again that’s for you to decide.

Despite the name Karate implying empty hand, an integral part of it is the use and adaptation of agriculture and fishing equipment. From this solid basis an adept is easily able to convert an everyday item into an aid to self defence.

Alhough primarily Karate in an impact system that uses every possible part of ones body as a defensive weapon, takedown techniques, joint locking, strangulation and attacks on the nerve system of the body (including lung seizure and cardio arrest) feature heavily. Also fighting on the ground is deemed important. Karate is considered exceedingly effective when attacking joints, either to break or compound fracture.

The Karate Adept unifies the Mind Spirit and Body in balance. It is possible to describe Karate as hips stomach and breath. For those who feel that they wish to develop there hands etc (by use of a makiwara) should only do so after deep thought and then only under a teacher who can guide you.

It should be noted that now Karate is in the World domain and Japan or Okinawa no longer has the franchise on Senior Teachers. Teachers now come from many nations of the World and long gone are the days when to learn quality Karate you had to go to Japan. A lot of Karate has now followed Judo as a world competition sport and when it features in the Olympics it will be spectacular to see, and for those who think that competitive Karate is a soft option should try it out with a quality competitive fighter as with Judo I can guarantee they would be in for a major shock and awakening. So whatever your direction preference or system, may I wish you well and whatever opinion you form, may it be your own.

It is also noted that the term “dirty tricks" is usually used by the loser of any antagonistic encounter, and in fact there is no such thing as a dirty trick in a life preservation situation, it is noted that those who hold those views with regards to the supposed dirty tricks and pontificate tirelessly against such usage from what they like to call the “high ground" descend with the speed of light, when there own life or interest is in peril.