Training at Shuri Castle c.1938. Photographed by Nakasone Genwa
Sunday, November 22, 2015
Foundation of Karate
Did you know that Karate is Japanese for "open hand"? Probably not, but it makes sense seeing as how Karate uses no weapons. And there's a story behind that, but let's start from the beginning. Karate originated in a small island off the coast of Japan called Okinawa. A beautiful country with breathtaking beaches and landforms, the people who live here are simple humble farmers. In 1609, Okinawa was run by the Satsuma Clan from Japan and under their rule, weapons were banned. This caused a huge interest in Karate. Many of the locals began to practice in order to defend themselves against the Satsuma guards that would constantly harass citizens and abuse them. But they had to do it in secret if they were ever caught practicing they were executed. Anyways, after all the harshness and evil emperors things eventually did get better. In 1905 a man named Anko Itosu took Karate out of secrecy and managed to get the authorities to allow him to start a program teaching it in the local schools. This was one of the most significant acts in the history of Karate and brought in new era of growth for the art. Today there are over a million Karate school all over the world.
Karate Champions
In my Karate life I have been lucky to meet and train with some of the best Karate competitors in the world. Tom Scott for example has won four gold medals in the Pan American Championships, six medals in the North American Championships, seven USA Open Championships, and three Karate Premier League Finalist. He is truly amazing. Tall and muscular, Tom is 6 feet tall and competes in male Kumite. He is currently ranked 3rd in the world. Also, he is a vampire. I swear he has all of the qualities of a vampire, tall, dark hair, pale, and super super fast. If you saw him compete you would agree with me.
The next competitor is named Sakura Kokumai from Japan, she holds first place in Kata. She has won five gold medals in the USA National Championships, four gold medals in the Senior Pan American Championships, and four gold medals in the Junior Pan American Championships. I look up to Sakura because of how determined she is and how seriously she takes her training.
Next is Maxine Lisot. Even though she is only five feet tall and 55 kg Maxine still dominates in Karate. She's been on the USA National team since 2007. Maxine is hilarious and always manages to find a way to make everyone feel more relaxed. I look up to her a lot, the majority of the time I have to go against girls twice my size that are much more powerful, but I just think about Maxine and realize that if she can do so can I.
Another Kata campion is Antonio Díez. He is best known for winning gold medals in kata at the World Championships in France and Serbia, winning the World Games in Cali Colombia and a silver medal at the World Championships in Japan 2008. He started Karate when he was only five and has been doing it ever since.
Last is Rubén Canedo, I met him last year when he came to Park City to teach a seminar. I learned many things from him that have improved my Kata tremendously. The first thing he told me that I will never forget is that Kata is not a dance. And anyone who performs it like a dance is doing it wrong. He also taught me how to use my Hada. (Your innermost power found below your bellybutton). "More hada!" He would yell. Over and over again "More hada!" But the best thing he told me is, "When you feel physically and mentally exhausted after your Kata you know you did good." Which I found to be true if I don't feel my muscles ache just a little then I know I didn't do it the best that I could.
The next competitor is named Sakura Kokumai from Japan, she holds first place in Kata. She has won five gold medals in the USA National Championships, four gold medals in the Senior Pan American Championships, and four gold medals in the Junior Pan American Championships. I look up to Sakura because of how determined she is and how seriously she takes her training.
Next is Maxine Lisot. Even though she is only five feet tall and 55 kg Maxine still dominates in Karate. She's been on the USA National team since 2007. Maxine is hilarious and always manages to find a way to make everyone feel more relaxed. I look up to her a lot, the majority of the time I have to go against girls twice my size that are much more powerful, but I just think about Maxine and realize that if she can do so can I.
Another Kata campion is Antonio Díez. He is best known for winning gold medals in kata at the World Championships in France and Serbia, winning the World Games in Cali Colombia and a silver medal at the World Championships in Japan 2008. He started Karate when he was only five and has been doing it ever since.
Last is Rubén Canedo, I met him last year when he came to Park City to teach a seminar. I learned many things from him that have improved my Kata tremendously. The first thing he told me that I will never forget is that Kata is not a dance. And anyone who performs it like a dance is doing it wrong. He also taught me how to use my Hada. (Your innermost power found below your bellybutton). "More hada!" He would yell. Over and over again "More hada!" But the best thing he told me is, "When you feel physically and mentally exhausted after your Kata you know you did good." Which I found to be true if I don't feel my muscles ache just a little then I know I didn't do it the best that I could.
Photo curtsy of http://www.teamusa.org
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