Karate facts

Elvis Presley. Presley was introduced to karate by The Army, during his service in Germany. He included some karate moves in his live performances.

Ryukyu Kingdom. Karate developed from the indigenous martial arts of Ryukyu Islands (today Japanese) under the influence of Chinese martial arts. The Ryukyu Kingdom was an independent kingdom from the 15th to 19th century, and despite its small size, the kingdom played a central role in the maritime trade networks of medieval East Asia. Until the 19th century, it has had much more in common with China, than with Japan.

Gichin Funakoshi. Shōtōkan is a style of karate, developed from various martial arts by Gichin Funakoshi (1868–1957) and his son Gigo Funakoshi (1906–1945). Gichin was born in Okinawa and is widely credited with popularizing "karate do" through a series of public demonstrations, and by promoting the development of university karate clubs. As the most widely practiced style, Shotokan is considered a traditional and influential form of karate do.

Gichin Funakoshi. Shotokan is a style of karate, developed from various martial arts by Gichin Funakoshi and his son Gigo. Shotokan is regarded as a dynamic martial art as it develops anaerobic, powerful techniques as well as developing speed. Initially strength and power are demonstrated instead of slower, more flowing motions.

The impact surface of the fist. Seiken is the impact surface of the fist by which almost all of the hand techniques are accomplished.