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A Brief Look At The History Of Karate

Karate is the art of self-defense and counterEuropean, but the ju-jitsu expert is
attack without weapons. It is a Japanese wordacquainted with many others which, when
and in its native language means literallycompressed struck or pinched, cause temporary
"empty hands". Karate as a method ofparalysis of a more or less complete nature.
self-defense originated hundreds of years agoSuch places as the arm pit, the ankle and
in Japan. Originally, Karate (or earlierwrist bones, the tendon running downward from
ju-jitsu) was practiced only by the nobilitythe ear, the "Adam's apple," and the nerves
in Japan and especially by the Samurai. Theof the upper arm. In serious fighting almost
techniques were kept secret. The hoi polloiany hold or attack is resorted to, and a
were denied the knowledge. It was a form ofbroken or badly sprained limb is the least
superiority that the upper class couldthat  can  befall  the  victim  ..."
demonstrate to the commoners to prove that
they were superior physically - even withoutKarate was taught to the special imperial
weapons!guards who protected the Emperor of Japan.
During World War II, special Japanese shock
This art of self-defense may be defined astroops were taught the secrets of Karate.
"an application of anatomical knowledge toToward the end of the global conflict,
the purpose of offense and defense. Itthousands upon thousands of Japanese line
differs from wrestling in that it does nottroops were given accelerated courses in
depend upon muscular strength. It differsKarate, to help them overcome their physical
from the other forms of attack in that itand weight handicaps in hand-to-hand combat
uses no weapon. Its feat consists inwith the enemy. Many an ex-GI who served in
clutching or striking that part of an enemy'sthe Pacific Theatre of Operations can tell
body as will make him numb, and incapable ofyou how even a puny Japanese soldier could
resistance. Its object is not to kill, but toperform superhuman feats. Karate is faster
incapacitate one for action for the timethan judo, quicker than ju-jitsu and more
being." (Inazo Nitobe, Bushido'. the Soul ofdeadly than both! That is why Karate, when
Japan)mastered, should be used with reservation and
restraint. Karate never should be employed as
The size and weight of your opponent may bean aggressive action, but only to defend
used against him. Even a big 250-lb. bruteyourself  against  an  assailant.
can be toppled by a smaller, lighter man who
employs the principles of Karate. The KarateKarate is highly dynamic and makes use of
man knows the pressure points and focal nervehundreds of body muscles. It helps develop
centers of his bigger, heavier adversary -body balance, posture, agility, coordination
and  strikes  at  these  pressure  point.and grace. In fact, Karate is so popular in
Japan today that thousands upon thousands of
To quote from the Encyclopedia Brittanicawomen and teenagers are studying it. In
"Several of these sensitive places, foraddition to its defensive qualities, it's
instance the partially exposed nerve in theideal exercise for their figures; keeps them
elbow popularly known as the "funny-bone" andtrim and lean. Many schools and colleges in
the complex of nerves over the stomach calledAmerica today are considering adding Karate
the solar plexus, are familiar to theto the curriculum.



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