| Becoming a More Effective Manager? | | | | into different karate kata, or fighting stances and |
| Upon hearing the word “karate,” people | | | | postures. Numerous people would begin teaching |
| often think of the physical aspects of this martial art. | | | | different forms of karate in and around Japan from |
| The kicks, punches, and other seemingly impossible | | | | the 1800s and onwards. |
| moves of karate masters are just the surface of | | | | Karate: a philosophy of honor |
| what is truly a martial art steeped in philosophy. For | | | | Many different forms of karate have developed |
| anyone who wants to get into karate, it would be | | | | throughout the years, each with its own philosophy |
| advisable to understand some of the long history and | | | | and perception of the martial art. In its original |
| deep philosophy that have helped to make karate | | | | context, however, the philosophy of karate is a form |
| what it is today. By understanding the philosophy and | | | | of self-defense that should only be used as a last |
| history of the defensive martial art known as karate, | | | | resort. Those who practice karate train their bodies |
| people will be better disposed to take advantage of | | | | and their minds, promoting not only mental and |
| the many physical and mental benefits that karate | | | | physical health, but also spiritual health. The philosophy |
| has to offer. This article will cover the basics of the | | | | of karate is vast, but the most influential factors |
| history and philosophy of karate, as well as discuss | | | | have been Taoism, Buddhism, and the code of |
| karate in the contemporary context. | | | | Bushido. |
| Karate: history of the martial art | | | | Karate today |
| Much like other forms of martial arts, karate has a | | | | Karate has come a long way since its origins in the |
| long and colorful history. Karate originates from the | | | | Ryukyu Islands. While there are still a number of |
| Ryukyu Islands of Japan, though it is a martial art | | | | people training and living in the traditional ways of |
| that has been heavily influenced by the Chinese | | | | karate, this martial art has become a popular sport. |
| kung-fu and the Koren taekwondo. In the 1300s and | | | | Numerous karate tournaments are held all around the |
| 1400s, numerous Chinese families moved to Okinawa, | | | | world. Karate dojos, where people can go to learn |
| Japan and they brought with them different forms of | | | | and train in this martial art, have cropped-up all around |
| Chinese martial arts. These martial arts as well as | | | | the world. Since karate has become so wide-spread, |
| other parts of the Chinese culture were being | | | | many countries have developed their own styles of |
| assimilated into Japanese culture. | | | | karate. In the Philippines, for example, arnis karate |
| In the 1600s, a policy was enacted in Japan, banning | | | | has developed as a combination of karate and the |
| the use of weapons. It was during this time that | | | | Filipino martial art of arnis. |
| karate began to take root and flourish in Japan. The | | | | Whether people are into karate as a sport, hobby, or |
| Japanese phrase “karate” means “empty | | | | profession, this martial art offers many physical and |
| hand,” because it was developed as a form of | | | | mental benefits. Beyond the physical and mental |
| self-defense during the weapon ban. This martial art | | | | benefits, however, karate also has a rich history and |
| would take on many of the Chinese “kata” | | | | philosophy that people can learn from. With its ability |
| (“shape” or “model”) used in their | | | | to enrich and improve the lives of those who study |
| martial arts, reinventing them and perfecting them | | | | and practice it, karate is truly a powerful martial art. |