3 Tae-Kwon Do, and Japanese Karate
"Karate" is a Japanese pronunciation of two Chinese characters which literally mean "empty hand." Another set of two Chinese characters, meaning "Kara hand" (or "the hand of the Kara Kingdom"), which is the original word for karate, was widely used in Japan until two decades ago. The latter is the original Chinese word that represents the word "karate" in Far Eastern countries and is still used by some karate schools or associations in Korea and China. Many Koreans describe the martial art of karate as "Kara hand" rather than "empty hand." Chinese words are indicated by one or more characters and have almost the same meaning in Chinese, Korean, or Japanese, but are pronounced differently in the respective countries. The people of those lands can read both "Kara hand" and "empty hand" and understand both to be nearly the same, but no Chinese, for example, can understand them when they are pronounced "tang soo" or "kong soo" in Korea.
Kara of "Kara hand" is the name of one of the old provinces in China. The Kara Province later unified all China, and was known outside as the Kara Kingdom. During this period, there was frequent contact with Korea, Japan, and other neighboring countries with cultural exchanges and international wars. However, during the period of the Kara Kingdom, the principles of karate were widely introduced to the people and further studied and developed. The martial art form, which presumably originated in the Kara Kingdom, became a symbol of national prestige, regarded with awe both inside and outside old China. The name given to it was "the hand of the Kara Kingdom," implying the use of the empty hand as a weapon. Such a descriptive title of the art indicates understanding and acceptance of the philosophy of the art by the public in the Oriental world at that time.
Okinawa-te is another example of a word with a geographical association which was used in Japan for several hundred years. Okinawa-te, meaning "Okinawa hand," is apparently a form of karate that derived from the preceding karate of Kara Province and was slightly changed in concept for the needs of the Okinawan people of that time. Perhaps "Okinawa hand" describes the possession of the art by Okinawan people who lived in a territory under the control of Japan and who trained and practiced karate secretly for themselves.
It is only recently that "Kara hand" has changed to "empty hand" in Japanese terminology. In describing this new word, there is more of an emphasis on the art itself than on its historical roots. A scientific study of the art has brought a great change, not only in its technical aspects, but also in its philosophical background. The "empty hand" is still pronounced "karate" as it was when it was written with the characters meaning "Kara hand" and this may imply a newly devised form of karate which originated from "the hand of the Kara Kingdom."
Tae-kwon is the Korean word for karate recently adopted by the Korean Tae-Kwon do Federation. Tae-kwon do (tae meaning foot; kwon, fist; and do, martial art) is identical to Japanese karate, and the title is a literal description of an art consisting of foot and hand techniques. Some of the Korean public still use the "karate" pronunciation in conversation, but Korean karate schools or associations have adopted such names as tang soo ("Kara hand"), kong soo ("empty hand"), tae soo ("foot hand"), etc. Many Koreans acknowledge the art as tang soo which is the traditional Korean title and represents the origin of the art as the term "karate" does in Japan. Whatever the titles may be, they were chosen by individual schools as an attempt at a descriptive expression for the martial art as it relates to their own individual philosophies. However, in spite of the various philosophies in the long history of karate, it has now evolved into a completely modernized form; its basic concept being the building of karate practitioners with the strongest techniques of sportsmanlike self-defense.
The karate title of "empty hand" and the tae-kwon do of "foot-hand" may give different impressions of the same art. The "empty hand" of unarmed fighting suggests more of an emphasis on self-defense techniques, whereas the "foot-hand" of foot and hand fighting implies a physical training of various techniques using the whole body. The latter more closely represents the sport of karate but it lacks the historical implications. Many Westerners, misunderstanding the term "empty hand" fighting, assume the feet play no part in karate techniques.
4 Tae-Kwon Do, the Modern Karate
MODERN karate or tae-kwon do consists of the techniques of body movement executed with maximum power, speed, accuracy, and balance. Training in karate provides the trainee with an ability to impart a momentary focus of power, derived from muscle contraction of the body along with mental concentration. The power of a strike, punch, kick, or block is increased through constant practice to the point where the trainee converts his entire potentiality into actual ability. The entire potential force is focused and increased in its application with the help of appropriate body twisting, reaction force where one hand retreats as the other extends, speed of the delivery, and other techniques. Speed, which plays an important part in karate techniques, must be constantly built on the basis of simple unit moves which are applied in a combined form with body shifting. Speed without power is completely ineffective. The degree of both power and speed is always affected by the target of the movement because the effect of a punch directed to the opponent's eyes, for example, is more damaging than the same punch directed against the chin. The sense of balance is always important as in any other physical activity because it brings coordination. Strict training in the execution of definitive movements both in offense and defense is what makes karate superior to simpler means of fighting, and coordination and conditioned responses are among the most important elements of karate techniques.
Modern karate is a physical science. In karate training, individual unit movements of the entire body are perfected to be joined together as one for effective application through a systematic procedure. The trainee first practices each unfamiliar body movement by himself against an imaginary target until the movement becomes a meaningful part of his techniques applicable to an actual opponent. Karate techniques, which can be constantly improved, are always evaluated on the basis of the scientific applications of its principles embodying reflexes and coordination.
Modern karate is a sport. In general, the uniformity of performance of techniques and their evaluation on the basis of karate concepts set a standard of achievement for all karate trainees. Therefore, the techniques are always competitive. Ever since the wide acceptance of modern karate, there have been many karate free-fighting matches under rules and regulations of control. The point system of the karate free-fighting matches was devised specifically with limitations of striking areas in order to measure the skill and ability of body movements.
Modern karate, is a physical fitness.The training necessary to perfect each movement requires the muscular exercise of the whole body and ultimately provides the best means for physical fitness. Each movement builds muscular coordination, and sincere and constant training can develop the muscles of the whole body.
Modern karate is a martial art. In its application as a means of self-defense, its techniques have killing effectiveness. Each body movement is designed for combat needs, and the concentrated mental and physical force can cause extreme damage to the opponent. Mental discipline, self-confidence, and self-control bring to karate trainees the utmost determination and stability of both mind and body.
Modern karate is the discipline of both mind and body. Its body movements are new to beginners but they must practice these constantly until they become natural to them. Each movement should not be applied until it is nearly perfected. Because karate is a martial art, karate trainees must first distinguish right from wrong. Self-control is achieved through the philosophy of "respect the Elder and love the Younger" and this leads into self-understanding. Karate techniques and their application look easy but are hard to learn. Discipline is necessary for the trainee so that he will study to improve his techniques and develop his potentiality to the point where they can be utilized in application, and as his physical ability increases so does his mental control and focus.
Modern karate is world-wide karate. The principles of karate can be and have been accepted by many different races of the world because the concept of karate is adaptable to many different ideologies. Karate is so universal in scope that it belongs to all races and creeds. Karate