What is karate?

[Uechij]

"Why did Kanbun disassociate himself from tode (China hand), and instead choose to be an early user of the nationalistic term karate (empty hand)?"

Probably because it would have been difficult to sell a Chinese product to the Japanese during an era when the two hated each other...that would be my guess.

[Glenn]

I agree with Uechij. Japan and China's relationship had been deteriorating for several decades by the time Kanbun hung out his sign in 1932. The two had already fought the First Sino-Japanese War in the 1890s, in which Japan gained control of Korea from China. By the 1930s Japan was ready for further expansion against China. In 1931 Japan invaded the Chinese province of Manchuria under the pretext of helping it gain independence from China, and established it as the puppet state of Manchukuo in 1932 (this essentially laid the foundation for the Second Sino-Japanese War that lasted from 1937-1945). Kanbun using the Japanese "empty hand" characters on his sign in 1932, rather than the characters for "China-hand", in the midst of this escalating tension really comes as no surprise, nor does Funakoshi and others making the same change. Not only would it help with marketing to the Japanese, but also would not put you unnecessarily on the Japanese government's radar.

[Bill Glasheen]

Freedom fries, anyone?



- Bill

[MikeK]

Why did Kanbun disassociate himself from tode (China hand), and instead choose to be an early user of the nationalistic term karate (empty hand)?

Kyūdō "way of the bow"
Kendo "Way of the Sword"
Karate-do "Way of the empty hand"

Given the other Gendai budō it could be it just made more sense to say the school taught empty hand fighting instead of China hand. We're assuming that the Japanese, who had their own fighting arts, would know what China hand meant. Might not be as sexy as the other explanations but it does make sense. BTW, "empty hand" was nationalistic to whom, the Okinawans?

Found this... Sounds like band meetings where we had to come up with a new name.

Genwa Nakasone: When karate was first introduced in Tokyo, the capital of Japan, "karate" was written in Kanji (= Chinese character) as "Chinese Hand". This name sounded exotic, and gradually accepted among people in Tokyo. However, some people thought this Kanji "Chinese Hand" was not appropriate at schools. In order to avoid the use of this Kanji, some karate dojo wrote "karate" in Hirakana (= Japanese phonetic letters) instead of Kanji. This is an example of temporary use of the word. In Tokyo, most karate dojo use the Kanji "Empty Hand Way" for karate-do, although there are still a few dojo using the Kanji "Chinese Hand." In order to develop Japanese martial arts, I think Kanji for "karate" should be "Empty Hand" instead of "Chinese Hand" and "Karate-Do" should be the standard name. What do you think?

Chomo Hanashiro: In the old days, we, Okinawan people, used to call it "Toodii" or "Tode", not "Karate." We also called it just "Tii" or &quotTe." It means fighting with hands and fists.

Ota: We, too, called it "Toodii" or "Tode."

Shimabukuro: Mr. Nakasone, I hear nowadays people call "Karate-Do" for karate. Does this mean people added the word "Do" (= literally means the Way) to the name "Karate" for emphasizing the importance of spiritual training like Judo and Kendo?

Nakasone: They use the word "Karate-Do" in the meaning of cultivation of the mind.

Ota: Mr. Miyagi, do you use the word "Chinese Hand" for karate?

Chojun Miyagi: Yes, I use the Kanji "Chinese Hand" as most people do so. It has minor meaning. Those who want to learn karate from me come to my home and say "Please teach me Tii or Te." So I think people used to call "Tii" or "Te" for karate. I think "Karate" is good in the meaning of the word. As Mr. Shimabukuro said, the name "Jujutsu" was changed to "Judo." In China, in the old days, people called Hakuda or Baida for Chinese kungfu, Kenpo or Chuanfa (= Quanfa). Like those examples, names changes according to times. I think the name "Karate-Do" is better than just "Karate." However, I will reserve decision on this matter, as I think we should hear other people's opinions. We had a controversy on this matter at the meeting of Okinawa Branch of Dai Nippon Butokukai. We shelved this controversial problem. In the mean time, we, members of Okinawa Branch, use the name "Karate-Do" written in Kanji as "The Way of Chinese Hand." Shinkokai (= a karate promotion center) will be formed soon, so we would like to have a good name.

Oroku: Mr. Miyagi, did you go all the way to China for studying karate?

Chojun Miyagi: At the beginning I had no plan to practice kungfu in China, but I found the kungfu excellent, so I learned it.

Oroku: Have there been our own "Te" here in our prefecture, Okinawa, for a long time?

Chojun Miyagi: There have been "Te" in Okinawa. It has been improved and developed like Judo, Kendo and boxing.

Kyoda Juhatsu: I agree to Mr. Nakasone's opinion. However, I am opposed to making a formal decision right now at this meeting. Most Okinawan people still use the word "Chinese Hand" for karate, so we should listen to karate practitioners and karate researchers in Okinawa, and also we should study it thoroughly at our study group before making a decision.

Chojun Miyagi: We do not make a decision immediately at this meeting.

Matayoshi: Please express your opinion honestly.

Chomo Hanashiro: In my old notebooks, I found using the kanji (= Chinese character), "Empty Hand" for karate. Since August 1905, I have been using the kanji "Empty Hand" for karate, such as "Karate Kumite."

Goeku: I would like to make a comment, as I have a relation with Okinawa branch of Dai Nippon Butokukai. Karate was recognized as a fighting art by Okinawa branch of Dai Nippon Butokukai in 1933. At that time, Master Chojun Miyagi wrote karate as "Chinese Hand." We should change his writing "Chinese Hand" into "Empty Hand" at Okinawa branch if we change the Kanji into "Empty Hand." We would like to approve this change immediately and follow procedure, as we need to have approval of the headquarters of Dai Nippon Butokukai.

Ota: Mr. Chomo Hanashiro is the first person who used the kanji "Empty Hand" for karate in 1905. If something become popular in Tokyo, it will automatically become popular and common in other part of Japan. Maybe Okinawan people do not like changing the kanji (= Chinese character) of karate. But we would be marginalized if the word "Chinese Hand" is regarded as a local thing, while the word "Empty Hand" is regarded as a common name for karate as a Japanese fighting art. Therefore we had better use the word "Empty Hand" for karate.

Nakasone: So far the speakers are those who have been living in Okinawa for a long time. Now I would like to have a comment from Mr. Sato, the director of the School Affairs Office. He came to Okinawa recently.

Sato: I have almost no knowledge about karate, but I think the word "Empty Hand" is good, as the word "Chinese Hand" is groundless according to the researchers.

Furukawa: The kanji written as "Empty Hand" is attractive for us who came from outside Okinawa, and we regard it as an aggressive fighting art. I was disappointed when I saw the kanji "Chinese Hand" for karate.

Nakasone: This time, I would like to have a comment from Mr. Fukushima, the Lieutenant of the Regimental Headquarters.

Fukushima: The kanji "Empty Hand" for karate is appropriate. The kanji "Chinese Hand" for karate is difficult to understand for those who do not know karate.

Ota: There is no one who do not like the word "Empty Hand" for karate, but there are people who do not like the word "Chinese Hand" for karate.

Chojun Miyagi: Well, when I visited Hawaii, Chinese people there seemed to have friendly feeling toward the word "Chinese Hand" for karate.

Shimabukuro: Here in Okinawa, we used to call "Tii" or "Te" for karate. To differentiate from it, we called "Toodii" or "Tode" for karate that was brought from China.

Nakasone: I think we have almost made clear about the name of karate. Now we would like to discuss about the promotion of karate. It is regrettable that karate is no popular in Okinawa at present. We need to find a solution to promote karate in the fields of physical education and martial arts education.

Furukawa: There are a lot of Ryu or styles in karate now. I think we have to unify them at any cost. I hear there are small differences between Shuri style karate and Naha style karate. I think both styles should be unified and we should make Kata of Japanese Karate-do. In the old days, we had about 200 styles of Kendo (= swordsmanship), but now they have been unified and we have the standard Kata of Japanese Kendo. I think karate would become popular all over the country if we had the unified Kata. For example, we can newly establish ten Kata as Japanese Karate. The name of each Kata should be changed into Japanese, such as Junan-No-Kata (soft and stretch kata), Kogeki-No-Kata (= offensive kata) and so on. In this way, we can conform the name of Kata to its content. And I also think we should make karate a competitive sport, so we should study how to hold a game of karate. We would like to make a uniform of karate and standardize contents and forms.

Chojun Miyagi: I agree to your opinion. With regard to Kata of karate, I ever submitted the opinion with explanation to the headquarters of Dai Nippon Butokukai (= national fighting arts association), when its Okinawa branch was established. As to karate clothes, we also would like to make karate uniform soon as we often have problems. As for terminology of karate, I think we will have to control it in the future. I am also advocating it, and I have been making new technical words and promoting them. Regarding Kata, I think traditional Kata should be preserved as old or classic Kata For the nationwide promotion of karate, I think we had better create new Kata. We will create both offensive and defensive Kata which are suitable for students of primary schools, high schools, universities and youth schools. Mainly, we, the members of Shinkokai (= karate promotion association), will make new Kata and promote them throughout Japan. Now there are Physical Education Association and Okinawa Branch of Butokukai. We also have senior students of karate and those who are interested in karate. We, therefore, cooperate with them to study and promote karate. If such organizations and experts study karate thoroughly, we can make a decision about the karate name issue and karate uniform relatively soon. I think the old Kata should be preserved without any modification while new Kata should be invented, otherwise I am convinced that no one will be interested in karate any longer in the world in the future.

Ota: How many karate organizations are there in Okinawa at present?

Chojun Miyagi: There are Okinawa Branch of Dai Nippon Butokukai, Physical Education Association of Okinawa Prefecture and Physical Education Association of Shuri City.

Ota: Mr. Chibana, how many students do you have now at your karate dojo?

Choshin Chibana: I have about 40 students at my karate dojo.

Chojun Miyagi: There is an opinion insisting that there are two Ryu or styles in karate, namely, Shorin-Ryu and Shorei-Ryu. I think such an opinion is wrong or false, as there is no evidence at all. However, if we have two styles in karate, we can categorize them by their teaching methods. In one style, they do not even differentiate between Fundamental Kata (= Kata such as Sanchin, Tensho and Naifanchi) and Kaishu Kata (= Kata other than Sanchin, Tensho and Naifanchi). They teach karate unsystematically and unmethodically. In the other style, they differentiate between Fundamental Kata and Kaishu Kata clearly. They teach karate systematically and methodically. My teacher (= Master Kanryo Higaonna) taught me karate in the way of the latter.

Ota: Karate masters we know did not go to China to study karate.

Chojun Miyagi: I have heard that Master Matsumura went to China and practiced karate there.

Choshin Chibana: Our teacher taught us Naifanchi as a Fundamental Kata.

Ota: Mr. Motobu, who taught you karate?

Choki Motobu: I learned karate from Master Itosu, Master Sakuma and Master Matsumora of Tomari village.

Ota: I thought you created your own karate on your own without learning from karate masters.

Choki Motobu: (laughing) No, I did not create my karate on my own.

Nakasone: Now we know every karate masters have agreed to the plan to establish a karate promotion association. As Mr. Furukawa told us the necessity of founding a karate promotion association, we think the other people also seem to agree to this plan. So we would like the members to start the preparation for establishing it.

Chotoku Kyan: Right now I'm starting preparations for a night on the town.

[fivedragons]

Posted by Bill: "Now I challenge you all. What ISN'T karate?"

Good question.

Way to flip the script, sir. If we place importance on names, we might see a whole lot of things that aren't it. If we are interested in learning about reality, we won't see anything that isn't included in the study of "karate", "tode", "kung fu", and one hundred other names for the same old schit.

I posted earlier about awareness, intention and ability. In that frame of reference, unawareness, indecision/confusion and inability would be NOT karate.

You wrote about martial movement. In that frame of reference non-martial movement would be NOT karate.

Which brings up the question of what is non-martial movement?

If I look at the stated philosophy and exhibited way of life of some of the old masters, I might come to the conclusion that anything that tends toward the negative or is false or is self constricting is NOT karate. To these people, karate was all about transcending the negative and finding the truth, or some kind of natural freedom.

Doesn't really matter, because the only thing happening right now is what's happening right now.

[MikeK]

If I look at the stated philosophy and exhibited way of life of some of the old masters, I might come to the conclusion that anything that tends toward the negative or is false or is self constricting is NOT karate. To these people, karate was all about transcending the negativ

So there isn't any such thing as karate. I think we sometimes try to make karate, old karate masters , etc more than what they were and currently are.

[Bill Glasheen]

I think we sometimes try to make karate, old karate masters , etc more than what they were and currently are.

That may be true. On the flip side, someone may feel constricted by a nice, neat box that someone else uses to define the boundaries of the art.

I find this particularly to be the case with people who learn, think, and organize information differently. I think and organize by principles. Someone else collects techniques. If you think in terms of principles, then eventually the art becomes your own art, and it is what you can make of it through those principles. Meanwhile the "traditionalists" and "purists" may see sacrilege because you aren't doing things exactly as you were taught or the "old masters" did.

Do not seek to follow in the footsteps of the men of old; seek what they sought.

- Matsuo Basho


So if we follow the advice of Basho, we shouldn't be terribly concerned about what "the old karate masters" were, are, or did. Instead, we should be on a somewhat parallel path, being driven by similar ideas, concepts, and principles. That's very liberating when you think about it. But the tough part is that it takes years of work to reach a level of understanding where you can make the art your own, and not screw it up in the process. Many - perhaps most - never get there.

- Bill

[MikeK]

That may be true. On the flip side, someone may feel constricted by a nice, neat box that someone else uses to define the boundaries of the art.

That's one reason that I'd find it hard to move back into a "style", especially a karate style which is generally very box like by it's nature. These days I feel if a group of folks get together create an association and take the time to set up a committee to define their art then that's cool, they're doing their thing and I respect that. But personally I'm a firm believer in shu, ha, ri, with the goal and end result being to separate from the teacher and style once I start to make things my own on my own.

[Bill Glasheen]

That's one reason that I'd find it hard to move back into a "style", especially a karate style which is generally very box like by it's nature. These days I feel if a group of folks get together create an association and take the time to set up a committee to define their art then that's cool, they're doing their thing and I respect that. But personally I'm a firm believer in shu, ha, ri, with the goal and end result being to separate from the teacher and style once I start to make things my own on my own.

Do you know what's interesting, Mike? You and I have the same general goals. However I've found a way to do it in the context of a "style", and you find it easier to do so without.

As much as they may want to, I don't let the peanut gallery box me in. I'm sure you've seen the debates here online where people will swear what "it" (Uechi or karate or some style du jour) is. They can debate until the cows come home for all I care. Everyone needs to have their perspective to function, and I respect that. But I need to have my own.

More importantly, I've found that I'm my best as an instructor when I work with what I have rather than impose my abilities (or lack thereof) or strict paradigm on a student. In the past when teaching at a University, it was all about not hamstringing a couple of creative and/or highly athletic talents with my own limitations. Now that I teach in the suburbs, it's about managing my expectations with a large number of fragile suburbanites of all ages.

I'm fortunate to have an instructor who can keep me on a path without boxing me in, and who also understands the importance of both expanding horizons and keeping an eclectic network.

I think the pendulum needs to swing from standards to individuality to get it right, Mike. As a style (and even a business entity) that can efficiently transfer knowledge, we must have a "minimum standard" that all need to be able to do so that we aren't around the Tower of Babel when we get together. But minimum standards should never imply maximum range. We each individually need to go on the very journey you speak of. Most don't, and for myriad reasons.

- Bill