Karate Resources

HISTORY OF KARATE

Modern-day Karate, “The art of empty hands”, was developed by the Okinawans in response to a ban on the possession of weapons by Japanese warlords. When Okinawa was united with Japan, a master named Gichin Funakoshi was invited to display his skills to the Japanese. His skills impressed Jigaro Kano, the founder of Judo, and Funakoshi stayed to teach. In turn, Funakoshi learned from Kano and developed a code of conduct to his art and called it Karate. He founded a school called Shotokan, and this style of Karate remains the most widely practiced today.

ORGANIZATIONS

International Shotokan Karate Federation (ISKF)

Shotokan karate organizations in North and South America.

 

USA National Karate-do Federation

The national governing body and educational resource for the sport of Karate.

 

World Karate Federation

International governing body of sport karate, recognized by the International Olympic Committee.

 

Karate Tournament Central

International karate tournament information and news.

 

Shotokan Karate of America (SKA)

A non-profit organization teaching traditional karate-do in the United States since 1955.

 

SCHOOLS

The Japan Karate Association of Boston

Dedicated to the promotion and preservation of Shotokan Karate.