Karate Uniforms, Karate Belts, and Gear
Welcome to KarateAmerica.net.The history of karate is steep in tradition and history. It has been around for thousands of years, possibly as early as the fifth century BC. It was introduced by Bodhidharma when he developed a set of exercises that were designed to strengthen the mind and body.
There is not a lot known about the early days of karate and exactly how it evolved to what it is today. Despite this, karate still is the most popular of all the martial arts and is practiced in countries around the world.
It is still very popular in Japan, where there are four main styles of karate practiced. These styles include Goju-ryu, Shito-ryu, Shotokan, and Wado-ryu.
• Goju-ryu – This kind of karate owes its success to Kanryo Higaonna. He opened a dojo in Naha using a number of forms that he brought with him from China.
His best student later founded a new form of karate that was a “hard soft way.” In this kind of karate, there is a lot of emphasis placed on combining soft circular blocking techniques with strong counter attacks in a rapid succession. This, like all types of karate, requires that the student be disciplined in attacks as well as defenses.
• Shito-ryu – This type of karate is not as old as some others and was developed in the 1920s. It was created by artist Kenwa Mabuni. The name Shito is derived from a collection of Japanese martial artists, including Ankoh Itosu and Kanryo Higaonna. The schools that specialize in teaching this kind of karate use a large number of kata, and karate stances.
This type is characterized by an emphasis on power in the execution of techniques. There is no extra special karate equipment needed to do this kind of karate. However, the karate student does need to be able to accurately execute the techniques and harness their power.
• Shotokan – This type of Japanese karate was founded in Tokyo in 1938 by Gichin Funakoshi. Funakoshi is considered to be the father of modern karate. Growing up in Okinawa, he started studying karate with one of the greatest instructors of his time. Many years later, he opened his own dojo. The work done at the dojo is characterized by the powerful linear techniques as well as the deep strong stances. This karate includes the obtaining of karate belts for students’ karate uniforms. Some of the most talented martial artists may even need to use karate belt holders after they obtain the belts in this style of karate.
• Wado-ryu – This translated means “way of harmony.” It was founded in 1939 and is derived from both jujitsu as well as karate. This type of karate combines basic movements that are contained in jujitsu with evasive techniques. This helps those practicing karate to learn the principles of attack as well as the principles of retreat.
Most of the karate taught in the United States is a mish-mash of all of these types, but there are some specialized schools that will teach only one specific type.
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