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Great Masters Of Karate

By Leigh Metopher


As one of the world's most widely known and practiced martial arts, karate teaches many key skills of self-defense. While striking and punching tend to be the most common techniques, many varieties of karate also focus on knee and elbow strikes, kicking, grapping and even joint locks. This sport developed from ancient martial arts brought from China to the islands of Okinawa many hundreds of years ago.

One of the earliest legends of karate is Gichin Funakoshi, who founded a type of karate known as Shotokan karate. Funakoshi was born in Okinawa and is known as the person who introduced karate to mainland Japan. He opened the first school of karate or dojo in Tokyo in 1939.

Anko Itosu also is known as a father of modern karate, and while Funakoshi brought karate from Okinawa into Japan, Itosu is known for his 1908 writing "Ten Precepts of Karate." This document details the basic principles of karate and was presented to Japan's Ministry of War and the Ministry of Education. The officials were impressed by Itosu's writing and it generated interest in karate throughout Japan. While Funakoshi opened the first dojo, it is important to note that he learned much of skills from his Itosu, who was his teacher.

American soldiers got their first glimpse of karate during World War II when they were stationed in the South Pacific. Robert Trias served in the Solomon Islands and while he was there he began training with a Buddhist missionary. Once the war ended and he returned to Arizona, he turned his backyard into a makeshift dojo and began teaching karate techniques. Within a year, he opened the nation's first official karate dojo and in 1948, he founded the U.S. Karate Association.

These are just a few important individuals in the world of karate. The techniques of karate often appear in the skill sets of MMA fighters, particularly Lyoto Machida, who has a 3rd dan black belt in Shotokan karate as well as a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Children and teens benefit greatly from the teachings of karate which encompass more than simply providing excellent tools for self-defense. At Team Mai, instructors focus on teaching discipline, honor, respect and self-confidence to their students. So if you are searching for an Encinitas karate school, Carlsbad karate school or San Marcos karate school, check out Team Mai. They offer classes for all ages and also have a free two-week trial so you can find out if the Team Mai dojo is the right place for your child.




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