Military Influences Modern Karate

Blog Article/Post Caveat (Read First Please: Click the Link)

In the past I have written about how I theorize that modern karate was, is and will always be influenced by and hold fast to its military connections. After all, almost all martial arts in this country has roots from the American Military simply because it was our armed forces stationed and serving in those countries who learned, trained and then brought the karate and martial disciplines home to our shores.

In karate, especially Okinawan karate, the Marines had a huge influence on its setting roots here in the America’s and then propagating into one of the largest homes of modern karate to date (my theory and perceptions). 

In my mindless meanderings I have hypothesized and theorized about the military connection along with the implementation of karate into the educational systems before WWII. Now, Andreas Quast Sensei has helped discover some information that may shed more light and validation on these concepts of Karate and Martial Heritage. The following is either directly quoted or slightly amended for your review and you can read his full article HERE. “Karate and Western-style Military Training.” http://ryukyu-bugei.com/?p=6881

“Western-style military training (heishiki taisō 兵式体操: Characters/ideograms mean, “Military Drill.” The first character means, “soldier; private; troops; army; warfare; strategy; tactics,” the second character means, ‘style; ceremony; rite; function; method; system; form; expression,” the third character means, “Body; substance; object; reality,” and the fourth character means, “maneuver; manipulate; operate; steer; chastity; virginity; fidelity.”) [http://ryukyu-bugei.com/?p=6881 “Karate and Western Military Training by ryukyu Bugei: Andreas Quast Sensei]”

“Hanashiro Chōmo’s “Karate Kumite” of 1905 was a document that was exactly built as the Western-style military training manuals of his era.” 

“This kind of manuals included didactically prepared descriptions of individual equipment, the commandos, formations, the methods of moving forward and backward, individual and partner exercises, etc. The structure and general fashion of these manuals match with that of Hanashiro’s “Karate Kumite” to a very high level.”

“And this was probably the sole initial meaning and content of school karate at that time: pre-military education.”

“Karate was introduced to Okinawa's junior high school and Shihan school in conjunction with western-style military training during the Meiji Era 30's (Period from 1897-1907)? Karate katas and Yakusoku Kumite were taught as if it were military training; it's movements separated one by one. They called it a "give and receive, reverse punch" a two-rhythm karate.”

Hat tip (Ritsu-rei) to <Andreas Quast Sensei at Ryukyu Bugei Blog> as the inspiration for this post.

Bibliography (Click the link)

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