Why did karate begin?

Answer 1

Karate began on an island in Okinawa, Japan (formally China, people from Okinawa still say they are Chinese and if you say they are Japanese they get very upset)

It was started there along with the beginnings of traditional martial art weapons because Okinawa was invaded by the Japanese and because they were a simple and friendly farming community, they didn't know how to fight. Over the years that followed they learnt from watching the Japanese Army training and began to teach themselves their own form of karate as well as teaching themselves how to use their farm tools as weapons to defend themselves. The Bo, Tonfa, Nunchucka, Sai are all farm tools.

Answer 2

Why karate was made was because the Japanese would invade okinawa (island off japan) and attack them with powerful military (katanas and spears). The okinawan people needed to defend themselfes so they came up with kara (empty) te (hand). Karate proved to be extremely powerful, even when a farmer without weapons was up against a trained Japanese or Chinese soldier.

Answer 3

It didn't start as a sport. Some styles have converted this form of combat into a sport making is safe to 'play.'

Answer 4

Karate was a blending of Martial Arts from Okinawa and China. White Crane Kung Fu was merged with Okinawan Tegumi to create karate.

Answer 5

It began is a way of protecting one's self from thieves and bandits. It evolved to providing services to the King of the Ryu Kyu Islands for protection and police type services.

Answer 6

Karate was invented for self defense.

Answer 7

It was needed to know self defense.

Answer 8

China