Karate is a type of Japanese martial art. It is one of the most practiced martial art forms in the world. It relies on acute physical coordination and mental concentration. The word Karate actually translates to "empty/open hands" (kara = empty/open, te = hand). In a deeper understanding, “you” means that your body is our primary weapon, instead of swords, guns, or any physically harmful object. This fighting style was used by natives of the Ryukyu Islands and was later influenced by Chinese kenpō when Chinese families settled in Okinawa. Karateka consists of punches, kicks and deflection techniques. The themes of traditional karate training are both combat and self-defense, although the mental and moral aspects are aimed at the overall improvement of the individual. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Karate was developed in Asia (India, China, and Japan) over thousands of years, with countless variations and martial arts disciplines practiced today. Modern karate is practiced in Okinawa, an island located in Japan. This can be traced back to the late 17th century, when weapons were banned by Japan's samurai rulers. The first written proof of karate was the word tode (the Okinawan name for the art). This came about through the referral of a Chinese visitor who taught a form of Kung Fu on the island. The tode style merged with the martial art already cultivated on the island, known as te (hand). Te was popular in three cities: Shuri, Naha and Tamarai. Each of these cities had its own way of practicing martial arts and modern styles, including Shotokan and Shito-ryu (mostly influenced by the city of Shuri). For hundreds of years, Okinawan martial arts experts have perfected a variety of fighting styles and forms, depending on political situations. The ruling authorities occasionally prohibited the peasants from using weapons, leaving them household items for protection. This also contributes to the development of martial arts throughout Asia, relating to the way karate is practiced without weapons. A man named Funakoshi Gichin is credited with taking karate beyond its geographic roots, bringing elements of Okinawan fighting styles and fighting technique to the mainland. Japan, which has gradually reached the rest of the world. He brought karate to Japan in 1922 and is seen and respected as the father of modern karate. If karate were to be described in one sentence, Funakoshi's maxim would be the most appropriate: "In karate you never attack first." Today, karate is practiced by millions of people around the world. Today there are four main styles of karate in Japan: Shotokan, Goju-ryu, Shito-ryu and Wado-ryu. Karateka wear a loose white suit called a gi, consisting of trousers and a jacket closed with a belt. The color of the belt indicates the karateka's skill level (kyu). This can vary from different Karate styles and teachings. Advanced karateka are classified according to their dan: white belt: 9th to 6th kyu (beginner) yellow belt: 5th orange kyubelt: 4th green kyubelt: 3rd blue kyubelt: 2nd brown kyubelt: 1st kyubelt black: from 1st to 8th danThe various colors of the belt symbolizes the circle of life, through the phases of a growing plant. The longer you take part in Karate practice, the more you will see yourself grow and change, similar to a plant. Each color of the belt tells a story of life, growth and progress. White Belt: When a plant is born, it breaks through the soil and encounters bright white sunlight. Yellow belt: when the plant yessuitable for white light, it is exposed to yellow sun. Orange. Belt: The sun's heat is hot and radiates onto the growing plant. Green Belt: As the sun continues to burn brightly, the plant becomes greener and develops new leaves and shoots. Blue Belt: Growing taller, the plant reaches out towards the beautiful big blue sky above. Brown Belt: The darkness increases so the plant bows humbly towards the brown earth from which it comes. Black Belt: The End is Here. Our plant dies, but a new one will grow. Every end is another beginning. Shotokan Karate International Australia (SKIA) is the official organization of SKIF Kanazawa Soke in Australia. The organization has around 5 clubs, with over 1,000 members, making it one of Australia's largest martial arts associations. Shotokan Karate was introduced to Australia in 1971 by Sensei Frank Nowak. His first contact with karate came in 1963, when his friends heard about the introduction of a new fighting art in Germany. Sensei Nowak practiced five to six times a week, achieving double success by winning the German National Kata Championship at the age of 20. He then decided to pursue teaching Karate professionally and went to Tokyo to study his Instructor's License at the age of 22. Sensei Nowak was the first fully qualified Shotokan instructor to arrive in Australia. Today, SKIA is committed to balancing traditional and modern Karate in training and competition. They regularly host traditional Karate seminars, where students gain a deeper understanding of the technical and spiritual aspects of Karate. SKIA also caters to those who wish to test their skills at the highest level in competitions, where they have frequent tournaments hosted at the venues. Each year they host tournaments in NSW, QLD, VIC and WA, culminating in the SKIA National Championships (held in a different state each year). It includes several days of intensive training with international instructors for this high-quality tournament. A kimono (着物) is a traditional Japanese garment. The literal meaning of 'kimono' is a 'thing to wear' (ki = to wear, mono = thing). They are T-shaped, straight-line dresses, worn down to the ankles, attached with collars and long, wide sleeves. The kimono is wrapped around the body, with the left side over the right (except for events that include burials), and held together with a sash called an obi. They are also usually worn with traditional footwear (zōri or geta) and split-toed socks (tabi). Kimonos are worn on special occasions and often worn by women. Men wore kimono at weddings, tea ceremonies, and other special or very formal gatherings/celebrations. Professional sumo wrestlers are seen wearing kimono as they are required to wear traditional Japanese clothing in public. The first kimonos were heavily influenced by traditional Han Chinese clothing, now known as hanfu. This was achieved through the Japanese embassies in China who let Japan adopt Chinese culture in the early 5th century AD. Kimonos are suitable to wear in any weather. They are made of breathable fabric, useful for warmer seasons, and can be layered to provide warmth in colder seasons. This is why kimonos participate in the daily life of Japanese people, as well as having cultural significance. As time passed, the practice of layering kimonos became fashionable, and the Japanese began to pay attention to how different colors looked together, developing a greater sensitivity. color. Usually, color schemes are represented by seasonal colors.