• RD Glossary

  Karate

  The Japanese external martial art based primarily on kicks, punches, hand strikes, foot sweeps, and a few throws. Karate is primarily an empty-handed martial art, with limited weapons training. The major styles of karate mentioned in this book are: (1) Japanese karate, primarily a hard style that concentrates equally on kicking and punching, its four major branches being Shotokan, Goju, Wado, and Shito; (2) Okinawan karate, an original form of karate based on training for raw physical power; (3) Shorin Ryu karate, a major Okinawan hard style based on short stances, low kicks, and power punches. It is one of the major antecedents of Shotokan karate; (4) Uechi Ryu karate, a major Okinawan hard style known for using muscular dynamic tension techniques in training; (5) Korean karate or tae kwon do, which emphasizes kicking (especially high kicks); historically originating from Northern Shaolin.