Nanchaku weapons technique

Karate is a martial art that originated in Okinawa, Japan, blending native fighting styles with influences from Chinese martial arts. It emphasizes strikes — punches, kicks, knee strikes, and elbow strikes — alongside blocks and open-handed techniques like knife-hands.

Karate practitioners, called karateka, also train in katas (pre-arranged forms) and kumite (sparring) to apply techniques in a controlled fight. A core philosophy of karate is self-improvement, discipline, and respect, not just fighting ability.