What is Traditional Karate?
Traditional Karate evolved in Japan
in the early 18th Century as an art
of self-defense. The art of self-
defense is called Budo in Japan and is regarded as a martial art. Through
training programs, the student of Traditional Karate not only learns
physical and mental skills and self-control but also learns to understand
the physical and mental condition of any opponent and thereby is able to
avoid fighting, the ultimate goal of karate. Only by avoiding fighting, can
one truly win.
In the beginning, karate developed as a weaponless form of self-defense
which utilized the total body power most effectively. First, the special skills
were highly developed, followed by technical organization and then the
formation of karate as a martial art.
The physical and mental benefits of this art form have been recognized
worldwide. The underlying principle is that through physical training a
student learns that the emotions control the physical body. Karate is
mastering the body but also the mind and emotions as well. It creates self-
confidence in one’s ability to stop an opponent with a single finishing blow
(Todome). The development of such confidence leads to stable emotions
which eliminate negative emotions which again benefits both the physical
and mental health of the student.
In the late 1950’s, karate was introduced to the general public and became
very popular worldwide. In the late 1960’s, karate competitions began.
However, as Traditional Karate Traditional Karate became ever more
popular, several “new” karate sports appeared that used common kicking
and punching actions.
While Traditional Karate required the high technical level of the “finishing
blow”, the newer karate sports were concerned with merely common
kicking and punching actions to score. There was a great difference
between Traditional Karate and the new karate.
As a result, two different karates were distinguished by the general public:
Original karate called Traditional Karate, and the new karate.
By the end of 1990, Traditional Karate participants number over 1,500,000
worldwide, and the number continues to grow.
in the early 18th Century as an art
of self-defense. The art of self-
defense is called Budo in Japan and is regarded as a martial art. Through
training programs, the student of Traditional Karate not only learns
physical and mental skills and self-control but also learns to understand
the physical and mental condition of any opponent and thereby is able to
avoid fighting, the ultimate goal of karate. Only by avoiding fighting, can
one truly win.
In the beginning, karate developed as a weaponless form of self-defense
which utilized the total body power most effectively. First, the special skills
were highly developed, followed by technical organization and then the
formation of karate as a martial art.
The physical and mental benefits of this art form have been recognized
worldwide. The underlying principle is that through physical training a
student learns that the emotions control the physical body. Karate is
mastering the body but also the mind and emotions as well. It creates self-
confidence in one’s ability to stop an opponent with a single finishing blow
(Todome). The development of such confidence leads to stable emotions
which eliminate negative emotions which again benefits both the physical
and mental health of the student.
In the late 1950’s, karate was introduced to the general public and became
very popular worldwide. In the late 1960’s, karate competitions began.
However, as Traditional Karate Traditional Karate became ever more
popular, several “new” karate sports appeared that used common kicking
and punching actions.
While Traditional Karate required the high technical level of the “finishing
blow”, the newer karate sports were concerned with merely common
kicking and punching actions to score. There was a great difference
between Traditional Karate and the new karate.
As a result, two different karates were distinguished by the general public:
Original karate called Traditional Karate, and the new karate.
By the end of 1990, Traditional Karate participants number over 1,500,000
worldwide, and the number continues to grow.
Last Updated: February 1, 2009
© 2009 AAKF. All rights reserved.
© 2009 AAKF. All rights reserved.
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
"The sole U.S. member of the International Traditional Karate Federation, the governing body for Traditional Karate as defined by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) 101st Session in 1993." |