Karate

In 1609, the Shimazu clan of Japan conquered the Okinawa Prefecture.  They then prohibited the use of weapons, so the people of Okinawa developed hand-to-hand fighting techniques.  This is the origin of karate.  In 1922, Karate was first introduced to the main island of Japan by Gichin Funakoshi (the father of modern Karate).  Since then, Karate has spread into many different styles with an accompanying development of skills and knowledge.  As the basic principles of Karate are the same everywhere, you may practice any style of Karate and if you train hard, you will as a result perform Karate in the best tradition of the art.  Karate is the art of the empty hand and consists of striking, blocking and kicking.

Instruction by N. Higashi 7th dan

¹Karate-Do, Nobuyoshi Higashi, 1983, New York City, p.IX

²Karate-Do, Nobuyoshi Higashi, 1983, New York City, p.1