Ancient Japanese Martial Art Karate Strikes For First Time At Tokyo Olympics

https://www.npr.org/sections/tokyo-olympics-live-updates/2021/08/07/ [login to see] /ancient-japanese-martial-art-karate-strikes-for-first-time-at-tokyo-olympics
The ancient martial art of Karate made its debut at the Summer Olympics in Japan this week. The sport was added as a nod to the country where it developed 700 years ago.

There are two types of karate at these Olympics: kata, and kumite.

Kata is performed solo, with an imaginary rival. The hand and leg movements are slow and precise. But Kumite is sparring; kicking and punching at an opponent.

The martial art developed seven centuries ago, on the island of Okinawa At the time, Okinawa was controlled by a clan that outlawed weapons, says Kenshin Iwata. He runs a dojo — a karate academy — in a section of Tokyo known for ancient samurai warriors.

"Without weapons, they wanted to know how to fight against those bad samurai who tried to fight with the swords and other weapons," Iwata says, explaining the origin of karate. "In fact, karate is literally meaning empty hands. No weapons, just hands."