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Karate basics

空手What Is Karate?

Karate (空手, “empty hand”) is a striking martial art that began in Okinawa and was systematised in Japan in the early 20th century. It uses the whole body as a weapon — punches, strikes, kicks, knees and elbows — for unarmed self-defence, and today it is practised worldwide as a sport, a self-defence system and a path of character development.

What does the word “karate” mean?

Karate (空手) means “empty hand” — fighting with no weapon, using only the body. The art was originally written 唐手 (“Chinese hand,” or “Tang hand”), reflecting its Chinese influences; Gichin Funakoshi and other masters re-characterised it to 空手 (“empty hand”) in the early 20th century as karate entered mainland Japan. The character 空 (“empty”) also carries a Zen connotation — emptying the self of ego and aggression — which is why the full name is often karate-dō (空手道), “the way of the empty hand.”

A very short history

Karate grew in the Ryūkyū Kingdom (Okinawa), blending indigenous Okinawan fighting methods with Chinese martial arts absorbed through centuries of trade. It matured in three town traditions — Shuri-te, Naha-te and Tomari-te. In the early 1900s it was introduced to mainland Japan, most famously through Funakoshi’s 1922 Tokyo demonstration, and spread worldwide after World War II via the Japan Karate Association and returning servicemen. Karate made its Olympic debut at Tokyo 2020. For the different lineages, see our guide to the types of karate.

How karate is trained: the “three K’s”

Traditional karate rests on three pillars, trained together:

  • Kihon — the basics: stances, blocks, punches, strikes and kicks drilled solo until they are automatic.
  • Kata — fixed, choreographed forms that string those techniques into patterns against imaginary opponents. Shotokan has 26; ours are all illustrated move-by-move.
  • Kumite — sparring, where the techniques are applied against a real partner, from prearranged drills up to free sparring.

Explore the individual stances, blocks, strikes and kicks, or start with the first kata, Heian Shodan.

Belts, grading and styles

Karate ranks run through coloured kyū grades up to the black belt (dan) grades — see karate belts in order. There is no single “karate”: the major styles include Shotokan, Gōjū-ryū, Shitō-ryū, Wadō-ryū and the full-contact Kyokushin, each with its own stances, distance and kata — compared on our karate styles page. New to it all? Start with our beginner’s guide.

Frequently asked questions

What does karate mean?
Karate (空手) means “empty hand” — unarmed fighting using the body’s own weapons. It was originally written 唐手 (“Chinese hand”) and re-characterised to “empty hand” in the early 20th century.
Is karate good for self-defence?
Yes, when trained realistically. Karate builds striking, distance, timing and awareness. Effectiveness depends more on the instructor, training intensity and how much live sparring you do than on the style label.
Is karate good for kids?
It is one of the most popular children’s martial arts — it builds coordination, discipline, focus and confidence in a structured, respectful environment, with a clear belt progression that keeps children motivated.
How long does it take to get a black belt in karate?
With consistent training, a first-degree black belt (Shodan) usually takes about three to five years, and longer in some styles. It marks the point where serious study begins, not the end of the journey.
Is karate in the Olympics?
Karate made its Olympic debut at the Tokyo 2020 Games (held in 2021) but was not retained for Paris 2024. Taekwondo, by contrast, has been a permanent Olympic sport since 2000.