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History of Karate The word Karate is Japanese. Many countries use a different word to define their styles of unarmed combat. In Korea it is known as Tae Kwon Do and in China, Kung Fu. The history of Martial Arts extends back thousands of years where time has obscured the exact beginnings. However, many experts agree that it originated in India, where it was developed by Buddhist Monks for self-defense. Ancient Indian art, particularly temple sculptures, depict warriors performing stances and motions commonly employed in Karate today. The Buddhist Monk Bodhidharma is believed to have introduced Martial Art techniques to China. Bodhidharma left India in 520 A.D. to spread the word of Buddhism: While visiting the Shaolin-Sun Monastery in the Honon Province he found the monks in poor physical condition. Realizing the importance of physical fitness to the body and hence spirituality, he began introducing martial art technique to improve the focus of their minds. The Shaolin monks began to use martial arts to develop a firm body and sound mind. They also relied on it to defend themselves against the bandits of the countryside. As the monks spread the word of Buddhism throughout the Orient so did they spread systematic approaches to the martial arts. In Korea they taught their techniques which were integrated with the local unarmed combat styles. These were called Tae Kyon which years later developed into the current style of Tae Kwon Do. Japan also had very early forms of unarmed fighting. Their earliest recorded style was an unsophisticated form of Jujitsu which resembled a type of wrestling. It wasn't until the early 1900's when Okinawan and Japanese techniques were combined with the art of Jujitsu to become what the Japanese call Karate. Karate means the way of the open hand or unarmed combat. Of all far eastern countries, Okinawa is said to have had the largest influence on modern Karate. In the early 1600's the Warlords of Japan sent their Samurai warriors to invade Okinawa. Afterward, they outlawed weapons for the Okinawans. Okinawans were forced to use their hands, feet and farming tools to defend themselves. Villages pooled their knowledge and the style of Te was formed. This is the earliest known record of Karate in its modern form. Karate was virtually unknown in the United States until after World War Two. The most significant exposure to Karate for the American public was during the Korean War and afterward. Many GI's brought the beginnings of the Martial Arts back with them when they returned home. Through American willingness to share knowledge with one another, American Karate has become the best in the world.  A Brief History of NAAMA NAAMA'S roots date back to the early 1960's when Master Copley was exposed to the many Martial Arts styles in existence at that time. While most of the fighting arts were similar in technique and philosophy, each had something special to offer. As Master Copley explored the different arts he was determined to keep an open mind. Along with developing his own techniques, he took what he considered to be the best of each of the fighting arts and fused them into one style. He called this style "The Alliance" meaning the joining of the best techniques and philosophy. In 1980, after twenty years of research and development, Master Copley founded the North American Alliance of Martial Arts, Ltd.. Today NAAMA is one of the fastest growing Martial Arts in the world. |
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| Created By: shawnpence@att.net Modified On: Dec. 29,2009 Copyright 2009 NAAMA. All rights reserved. | ||