French version
Karate空手 唐手keywords: martial art related topics: Ryukyu related web sites: http://www.karatedo.co.jp , http://www.melfirst.co.jp/karate/ explanation: Combat of 2 men without any weapons: they give chops and kicks to the adversary. Originated from China, it has been introduced into Japan via Okinawa island (Ryukyu). Okinawa being a Chinese protectorate state in the old times, this discipline had been very popular there. It has appeared in mainland Japan only since Taisho era. Initially karate had been spelled with kanji characters meaning "Chinese hand" but now it is spelled rather with "bare hand". | |