WHAT IS NOT Karate!

In today’s world, many schools use the word Karate loosely to describe almost any form of striking or kick-based martial art. This has led to confusion and, unfortunately, the spread of programs that have little or no connection to the true heritage of Karate.
Karate is not a catch-all term for martial arts. It is not Taekwondo, Kajukenbo, American Kenpo, or any other modern hybrid style that cannot trace its direct lineage to Japan or Okinawa. Systems such as Taekwondo, Moo Duk Kwan, and Soo Bahk Do are Korean arts — each with their own history and philosophy — but they are not Karate. Similarly, any Americanized “Karate” program that emphasizes entertainment over discipline, authenticity, and tradition should not be mistaken for genuine Karate training.

Authentic Karate is Japanese and Okinawan in origin. The modern systems recognized as legitimate forms of Karate include:

• Shotokan-ryu
• Goju-ryu
• Shorin-ryu
• Wado-ryu
• Shito-ryu

These systems share common roots in Okinawan martial arts that were influenced by Chinese and indigenous self-defense methods. What defines them as Karate is their direct descent from Okinawan masters and their development within Japan through disciplined study, moral philosophy, and codified technique — not through commercialized or mixed-style invention.

The Origin of the Word “Karate”The term “Karate” (空手) means “empty hand.”
Originally, the characters used for Karate (唐手) meant “China hand,” reflecting the early Chinese influence on Okinawan martial culture. In the 1930s, Gichin Funakoshi, the founder of Shotokan Karate, changed the meaning to “empty hand,” emphasizing the spiritual and philosophical aspect of training — the idea that the practitioner’s body and spirit, rather than weapons, are the tools of defense.

Gichin Funakoshi and the Spread of Karate in Japan.
Gichin Funakoshi (1868–1957) is widely regarded as the father of modern Karate. He introduced Okinawan Karate to mainland Japan in the early 1920s, demonstrating it at Tokyo University and inspiring students and martial artists nationwide. His dedication to discipline, humility, and character development shaped Karate into both a martial art and a way of life.

In 1949, his students founded the Japan Karate Association (JKA) to preserve, promote, and standardize authentic Shotokan Karate worldwide. Under the JKA’s leadership, Karate spread across the globe — maintaining its roots in Japanese culture, philosophy, and technique.

The Importance of Authentic LineageTo be called Karate, a system must be able to trace its lineage directly back to the Okinawan and Japanese masters who codified the art. If a school cannot establish this connection, it is not Karate — regardless of what name they use on their sign.
A
t Claycomb Academy of Martial Arts, we uphold the true traditions of Japanese Karate — rooted in discipline, respect, and the authentic legacy passed down from Okinawa and Japan to the modern world.