Okinawa Te, the Empty-Handed Fighting System of Okinawa

Modern karate has a long and rich history. Have you heard of Okinawa te, and its role in modern karate?

In the 15th and 16th centuries, the Okinawans had developed a system of unarmed combat called Okinawa te or tode. This art was supposedly enhanced by the influence of Chinese emissaries in the 17th century, who introduced kata, or “forms,” and other Chinese principles. 

Okinawa te is often described as having developed in three main areas around the towns of Naha, Tomari, and Shuri, and it was taught secretly for centuries, usually within families. We often associate different emphasis in internal, external, and linear techniques as being representative of the tode from these three areas. Over time, this art also came to be called karate-jutsu (“Chinese-hand art”).

Master Ohtsuka Hironori, who had studied Shindo Yoshin Ryu jujutsu from an early age, intentionally made his karate-do as Japanese as possible. He also discarded techniques that he felt were ineffective and added much of his jujutsu technique. Due to Master Ohtsuka's commitment and innovation of technique, Wado Ryu has rapidly become one of the most popular karate-do systems throughout the world, and its early acceptance of jiyu kumite has enabled it to be very successful in competition.

Learn more in our latest article.

Learn More about Martial Arts History at an International Martial Arts Association

If you’re looking for an international martial arts association dedicated to preserving the authentic Japanese arts, you’re in the right place!

SMAA offers certification in authentic aikido, iaido, judo, jujutsu, and karate-do. If you’re interested in becoming a member, call (734) 720-0330 or submit a contact form here. We would love to add you to our ranks!

Bite-Sized Intro to Karate History

What’s the origin of the word “karate?”

Modern karate-do has its beginnings so far in the past that its earliest history is lost. What we do know is that the roots of Wado Ryu come from the martial arts traditions of China, Okinawa, and Japan. Those elements came together in the last century due to the efforts of a most amazing Japanese martial artist named Ohtsuka Hironori Sensei, or as Westerners would say it, Hironori Ohtsuka.

Karate is a term, which originally meant, "T'anghand.” This is in reference to the T'ang Dynasty of China from which the Okinawans adapted many karate-do concepts. In the 15th and 16th centuries, the Okinawans had developed a system of unarmed combat called Okinawa te or tode. This art was supposedly enhanced by the influence of Chinese emissaries in the 17th century, who introduced kata, or “forms,” and other Chinese principles. 

Learn more in our latest article.

Learn More about Martial Arts History at an International Martial Arts Association

If you’re looking for an international martial arts association dedicated to preserving the authentic Japanese arts, you’re in the right place!

SMAA offers certification in authentic aikido, iaido, judo, jujutsu, and karate-do. If you’re interested in becoming a member, call (734) 720-0330 or submit a contact form here. We would love to add you to our ranks!