The evolution of karate probably began over a thousand years ago. It was during this time that a system of physical training intended to strengthen the monks' bodies and increase their determination was formed; these exercises became the basis for the majority of Chinese martial arts. This teaching method spread to many places and came to bear the name Shorin-ji Kempo. It was this method that eventually reached the Ryukyu Islands and developed into Okinawa-te, the forerunner of present-day Karate.
a, "Chinese hand".
The Chinese character used to write Tode could also be pronounced "kara" and the name Te was replaced with karate-jutsu or "Chinese hand art". This was later changed to karate-do by Gichin Funakoshi who adopted an alternate meaning for the Chinese character for kara, "empty". From this point on the term karate came to mean "empty hand". The Do in karate-do means "way" or "path", and underscores the moral and spiritual elements of the discipline and philosophy of Karate.
Today, there are five main styles of karate-Do in Japan: Goju-Ryu, Shito-Ryu, Shotokan, Wado-Ryu and Chito-Ryu.
Goju-Ryu Developed out of Naha-te, its popularity primarily due to the success of Kanryo Higashionna (1853-1915). Higashionna opened a dojo in Naha using eight forms brought from China. His best student, Chyojun Miyagi (1888-1953) later founded Goju-ryu, "hard soft way" in 1930. In Goju-ryu much emphasis is placed on combining soft blocking techniques with quick strong counter attacks delivered in rapid succession.
Shito-Ryu was founded by Kenwa Mabuni (1889-1952) in 1928 and was influenced directly by both Naha-te and Shuri-te. The name Shito is contractively derived from the combination of the Japanese characters of Mabuni's teachers' names - Itosu Ankoh and Kanryo Higashionna. Shito-ryu schools use a large number of kata (about sixty) and the style is characterized by an emphasis on power in the execution of techniques.
Shotokan was founded by Gichin Funakoshi (1896-1957) in Tokyo in 1938. Funakoshi is considered to be the founder of modern karate. Born in Okinawa, he began to study karate with Yasutsune Azato, one of Okinawa's greatest experts in the art. In 1921 Funakoshi first introduced Karate to Tokyo. In 1936, at nearly 70 years of age, he opened his own training hall. The dojo was named Shotokan after the pen name used by Funakoshi used to sign poems written in his youth. Shotokan Karate is characterized by powerful linear techniques and deep strong stances.
Wado-Ryu "way of harmony" was developed between 1922 and 1929, and registered in 1939 as a system of karate developed from ju-jitsu and karate by Hironori Ohtsuka (1892-1982). Ohtsuka Sensei was said to be the first martial artist to be decorated by the Emperor of Japan with a special title and medal for his contribution to Karate-Do. He was also an assistant to Gichin Funakoshi. This style of karate combines basic movements of ju-jitsu with techniques of evasion, putting an emphasis on softness and the way of harmony or spiritual discipline.
Chito-Ryu was developed by the Okinawan Karate master, Dr. Tsuyoshi Chitose (1898-1984). After the war, he moved from Tokyo to Kumamoto and in March 1946 he opened the karate-judo Yosei-kan in Kikuchi City, Kumamoto. Today the headquarters of the Chito Kai is in Kumamoto City. In 1952, Dr. Tsuyoshi Chitose named his group the All Japan Chito Kai, and its technical style as Chito Ryu Karate-do. He based his teachings on his extensive study of Okinawan Shorei-ryu (Naha-te from Aragaki Ou) and Shorin-ryu (Shuri-te from Kiyan Chotoku) karate and his medical knowledge of physiology to form Chito Ryu. The characters in the name Chito-ryu translate as Chi=1000 (year old), To=Tang dynasty in China, Ryu=Style. This is an acknowledgment of the Okinawan tradition that the roots of Karate are traced back 1000 years in to China.
These five styles have also become the major karate styles in Canada with Chito-Ryu being the Founding Style of the NKA.
Traditional Karate was introduced to Canada by Masami Tsuruoka. Often referred to as the father of Canadian karate, the Canadian born Tsuruoka studied in Japan in the 1940s under Dr. Chitose one of that country's leading instructors. After arriving in Canada in 1954, Mr. Tsuruoka initiated the first karate competitions ever held in Canada and laid the foundation for the formation of the National Karate Association.
In 1964, he and four other instructors incorporated the National Karate Association (NKA) in the cities of Toronto, Winnipeg, Calgary, Montreal and Quebec City. From its humble beginnings the organization spread, largely due to the dedication of its founding members, to its present size.
Today, Karate in Canada has become a highly organized activity. The National Karate Association represents the various styles of traditional karate. Today, the Association encompasses all ten provinces along with the two territories and is recognized as the national sport governing body of karate in Canada by the Federal Government, and as such, is partially funded through Sport Canada. The NKA was set up to promote and develop traditional karate throughout Canada into a well respected sport for which Canadian competitors are today recognized at the international level. Each province and territory has an organization which represents their respective interests and concerns at the national level, and is responsible for the standards and development of traditional karate within their respective provincial/territorial jurisdictions.
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