Great Masters Of Karate

By Leigh Metopher


When you mention the words martial arts, karate typically springs to mind before just about any other art. This fighting art is one of the most popular in the world. It was developed in Okinawa hundreds of years ago as a hybrid of skills and techniques learned from visiting tradesman and fisherman from China. With an emphasis on striking and punching, karate is an excellent self-defense tool for people of all ages.

Gichin Funakoshi is considered as one of the main fathers of karate and the developer of one of the martial arts' most prominent styles, which is Shotokan karate. A native of Okinawa, Funakoshi is responsible for bringing karate to the attention of those in mainland Japan. In fact, he opened Tokyo's first karate school in 1939, and these schools typically are just called a dojo.

Another father of karate would have to be Anko Itosu. He trained many prominent practitioners of karate such as the aforementioned Gichin Funakoshi. He also wrote the Tode Jukun or the Ten Precepts of Karate. This document highlighted the many benefits of teaching karate as well as establishing some important guidelines for training. Written in 1908, this document was read by officials at both the Japanese Ministry of War as well as the Ministry of Education and helped spark great interest in karate throughout the country.

Americans serving in Asia during World War II, particularly in Okinawa and the Solomon Islands, quickly embraced the art of karate. Robert Trias learned his karate skills while serving in the Solomon Islands. He became learned enough that once he got back home to Arizona, he started teaching karate to others in his backyard. Trias opened the U.S.'s first dojo in 1946. In 1948, he started the United States Karate Association.

These are just a few important individuals in the world of karate. The techniques of karate often appear in the skill sets of MMA fighters, particularly Lyoto Machida, who has a 3rd dan black belt in Shotokan karate as well as a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

For those who wish to find a San Marcos karate school, karate classes in Encinitas or a San Marcos karate school, Team Mai offers classes for all levels of children and teens. In addition to teaching the skills of karate, your child's training also will focus on building confidence and self-esteem, learning respect for oneself and others and improving self-discipline.




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