Karate-Do: Politics, Secrecy, and Tradition in the Art of the Empty Hand.
Exploring the role of social and political factors in the development and spread of Shotokan karate.
A brief history of karate
Shotokan karate is the most widely practiced form of karate today. Developed in the Ryukyuan islands (today, Okinawa), karate is derived from a combination of various martial arts and philosophical ideologies.
The development of martial arts in the Ryukyus occurred as a result of the banning of weaponry as early as the 14th century, when Okinawa was under independent rule. The banning of weapons resulted in the concealed, clandestine development of various forms of non-weapon combat techniques in the various districts of Okinawa. Therefore, the fundamental techniques and philosophies of modern-day karate are a by-product of the political and social landscape of Okinawa under various rulers.
Okinawa
Okinawa’s cultural practices and traditions have been heavily shaped by Chinese and Japanese influences:
- 15th century: the Ryukyu islands become a part of the Imperial Chinese tributary system under the Ming dynasty. This establishes economic relations and opens trade lines between Okinawa and China (think cultural exchanges, influences).
