Most people think that karate is an ancient Japanese martial art, but in fact it is a combination of Southern Chinese martial arts and the Okinawan combat techniques. Karate was introduced to Japan around 1920. At this time it was only known as “Te” as it was called by the Okinawans, which means “hand”. The Chinese influence can be found in the original karate symbol, which is the “Chinese Hand” or “Tang Hand”.

According to many karateka’s, there is one “Father of Karate”: Funakoshi. He was an Okinawan master who played a great role in the introduction, modernization and popularization of Karate in Japan. Some other important Karate master in that time where Miyagi Chojun, Motobu Choki,Choshin Chibana and Kenwa Mabuni.

Short after the introduction of karate, three cities formed their own karate style and they where named after the cities: Tomari-te, Naha-te and Shuri-te. Each of these styles had it’s own system, principles and style of karate.

Before the Second World War, karate was introduced in schools as a subject. It also became part of the army training. Several universities started karate club programs and competitions and clubs started emerging. With so many people practicing karate, it became clear that there needed to be a standardization and several karate styles where merged.

During the American military occupation of Japan and Okinawa, the American soldiers started practicing karate. The large Japanese immigration to the United States led to the immense popularity of karate in the Western world.

Although there was a standardization of the karate rules and system, there where, and still are, a lot of different styles and each representation differs from one another. The two main styles are the Traditional and the Full Body Karate. The traditional styles are the ones that where developed in the beginning of the twentieth century and includes for example Wado-ryu, Kushin-ryu and Shotokan. The Full Contact Karate includes styles as Kansui-ryu and Kyokushin-kaikan. Within each style there are still many variations.

The main sections of all karate styles can be divided into three section:
- Kihon, which is the study of movements, basic techniques and components.
- Kata, which is a fixed serie of techniques and movements according the principles of the Kata
- Kumite which can be descriped as sparring techniques where all moves are permitted.