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Sunday, August 21, 2016

Karate

Introduction
Karate is one of the most popular martial arts in the world!  It was created in the Ryukyu Kingdom.  It came from indigenous and Chinese martial arts.   It enabled average joes to defend themselves against the samurai. It has a spiritual component.  There are many different styles of Karate.
History
In the 14th century CE, Chinese settlers taught people in Okinawa martial arts.  Anko Itosu and Anko Asato created Karate.  Anko even came up with 10 precepts of Karate.  Asato defeated a samurai unarmed. Together they defeated 20-30 attackers!  That reminds me of the 3rd Raikage and 300 Spartans.  Both of them learned martial arts from Matsumura Sokon (Grandfather of Karate).  Sokon created bojutsu and he taught sword fighting.  Gichin Funakoshi spread Karate to mainland Japan.  He created his own style of karate called Shotokan.

Spiritual Component
Karate is tied to Zen Buddism.  The people that created it were Zen Buddhists.  Mindfulness is an important part of ZB.  A practitioner of Karate should be aware of every movement they make and be 'in-tuned' with the world around them.  The practitioner must learn how to control their ki.  Ki is the energy that keeps organisms alive.  It flows in all things.  It is the force of Star Wars.
Styles
Shotokan-Ryu: The focus is speed and power.  As you move up in rank you will learn grappling, throwing, and standing joint locks.  The Dojo Kun and Niju Kun are principles for this style of Karate and maybe others.  Ryu, Ken, Akuma, and Gouken characters of street fighter follow this style of Karate.

Shito-Ryu: It is very fast and powerful.  It has great blocks and breathing exercises.  

Goju-Ryu: Strong punches and circular joint locks. Meditation is key.

Wado-Ryu: It's about cultivating a calm mind.  There is Jujitsu in this style.  You'll learn to dodge in this in this style.  This style teaches a lot of virtues.

Shorin-Ryu: Circular movements, natural breathing, and evasion are important to this style.  This form teaches you how to punch quickly.

Uechi-Ryu: This style is based on kungfu.  This form will help make your body stronger, develop your mind and spirit, stamina, etc.  You will also learn how to move like 7 animals.

Shuri-Ryu:  This is the US style of Karate.  It combines Eastern and Western ideas about life.
  
Kyokushin- Its focus is self-defense and it is virtuous.

Budokan- It is a mixture of Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, Wrestling, and Shotokan.  It was created in Malaysia.

Chito-Ryu: Promotes self-defense, self-discipline, and strikes.

There are more styles but this is sufficient.
Conclusion
Karate is amazing!!!!  I didn't know it was this deep.  I love the complexity.  Find out more about it.
References
History of Karate
http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/karate6.htm
http://www.livestrong.com/article/478997-10-types-of-karate/   
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shotokan
http://shitokai.com/
Shito-Ryu 
http://www.iogkf.com/
http://www.conradjoneskarate.com/
http://www.shorin-ryu.com/
http://www.karateshorinkan.com/history.php
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sh%C5%8Drin-ry%C5%AB
http://karateequipmentuk.co.uk/Articles/A%20Comparison%20of%20Japanese%20Shotokan%20Karate%20and%20Okinawan%20Uechi-Ryu%20Karate.html
Shuri-Ryu
http://www.advancingkarate.com/shuri-ryu.html
Chito-Ryu
http://www.nbchitoryu.com/what-is-chito-ryu-karate.html

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