The history of karate and the local Okinawan martial art known as ‘tode’ traces back to ancient indigenous practices on Okinawa Island, which were significantly shaped by centuries of cultural and political interactions, particularly with China. This formative period, extending from early roots up to the 1700s, saw the emergence of unarmed combat techniques, driven by both self-protection and external influences.
Ancient Origins of Okinawan ‘Te’
The island of Okinawa, situated between mainland Japan and Taiwan, has a long history of human habitation, with archaeological evidence suggesting settlement as far back as thirty thousand years ago. The Ryukyu Islands, including Okinawa, engaged in extensive trade with Southeast Asia even before 1000 AD. Early historical records about Okinawa’s fighting methods are scarce due to centuries of secrecy, a lack of written documentation, and the destruction caused by events like the Battle of Okinawa in 1945, meaning much of what is known relies on secondary sources and oral history.
Nevertheless, many martial arts historians agree that karate is an indigenous Okinawan martial art form. The earliest known records referencing an indigenous fighting method in Okinawa, called Ti (or Te), date back to the 18th century, though these are often vague. Some sources suggest Te developed over five hundred years ago, while others claim more than 1000 years. This native Okinawan martial art, meaning “hand” or “technique,” was reportedly initially cultivated, practiced, and promoted by the islands’ royal government organisation (‘hiki’) under King Sho Shin (reigned 1477–1526). Te flourished for several hundred years, with Naihanchi kata being one of its original Okinawan forms, characterised by anchored stances, controlled minimal hip torque, and hard-style short movements.
Early Chinese Influences (14th – 16th Century)
Okinawa’s geographical location made it a nexus for trade and cultural exchange, bringing it into contact with China, Japan, and Southeast Asia. During the 14th century, Okinawa was divided into three kingdoms (Hokuzan, Chūzan, and Nanzan), which were unified into the Kingdom of Ryukyu in 1429 by King Sho Hashi. Formal diplomatic relations between China and the Ryukyu kingdoms began in 1373, with Chinese emissaries taking permanent residence.
A significant event in the early development of Okinawan martial arts was the arrival of the renowned “thirty-six Chinese families” from Fujian province in 1392 or 1393. These families settled in Kume village near Naha and were responsible for trade and communication between China and Okinawa. They brought with them knowledge of Chinese kempō (拳法, “fist method” or “Chinese boxing”), which they passed on to the local nobility. Okinawan nobility and martial arts experts also travelled to China to study kempō at its source, often staying at the Ryukyu establishment in Fujian province. This influx of Chinese knowledge, alongside indigenous Te, led to the art being called “tode” or “karate” (唐手), meaning “T’ang hand” or “Chinese hand”. While some Western scholars suggest karate was initially developed out of Chinese ch’üan fa, it is also believed that existing Okinawan martial art experts integrated foreign knowledge and skills as improvements into their system.
Weapon Bans and Secrecy (15th – 17th Century)
Political developments played a crucial role in shaping Okinawan martial arts. Around 1470, after a period of political unrest, King Sho Shin (reigned 1477–1526) enforced a ban on carrying swords and ordered the confiscation of all weapons, storing them in Shuri Castle. He also required all unarmed members of the nobility and their families to live in the royal capital to keep a watchful eye on potential rebellious warlords. This ban is considered a foundational step for the development of kata, as training in pairs became restricted for common people, leading masters to create solo forms.
In 1609, the Satsuma clan from Kyushu, Japan, invaded and conquered Okinawa, making it a Japanese vassal state. The Japanese occupation continued the weapon prohibition, further contributing to the secret development of unarmed combat and kobudo (martial arts using weapons). During this time, martial arts training had to be conducted in utmost secrecy, often at night in secluded places or windowless rooms, primarily by the aristocracy and gentry, for self-defence and personal development, not by peasants to overthrow their overlords. This secrecy meant that few written records were kept, contributing to the reliance on oral traditions and legends for much of karate’s early history.
Key figures in the history of karate before 1700:
Wanshu (Wang Ji, 1621–1689): A Chinese diplomat, he was sent to Okinawa in 1683 by the Qing government. The Wanshu kata is attributed to him, reflecting his influence on Okinawan martial arts.
Fang Qīniáng (mid-16th century): While not an Okinawan master, Fāng Qīniáng was the Chinese creator of the White Crane style of Kung Fu, which flourished during the reign of the Jiajing Emperor (1521-1566) of the Ming Dynasty. This Chinese martial art had a substantial influence on Okinawan ti, especially prior to 1600. Her style is cited as a root for several kata forms that were created earlier.
Karate Kata Step By Step 