Karate-do is a martial art developed in Okinawa and originated by the fusion of fighting methods created in the island and similar techniques of chinese origin. Its root trace back to the Shaolin Temple (numerous were in fact the contacts with China, of which Okinawa was a protectorate, and in particular with the near Fukien region).

The early aim of this fighting method, based on direct and circular thrust, hits, kicks, blocks and throws, was the self-defense against brigands' and army of occupation's aggressions.
Moreover chinese (and then japanese) army didn't allow the islanders to own any kind of weapons.
A lot of styles of Okinawa-Te or To-de (words used to individuate what we call Karate) saw the light and their names were the same of villages in which they were created: Shuri-Te, Naha-te, Tomari-Te, ...

An okinawan Master, Gichin Funakoshi, was the first who presented and popularized Karate in Japan.
Following his steps, other masters leaved Okinawa with the same aim.

In this period Karate, merging with japanese Budo, became Karate-Do (Way of Karate), transforming itself from an utilitarian fighting method to a way of physical and spiritual developement.
Karate is written using two kanji (characters), the first, Kara, means empty/bare while the second, Te, means hand.

The kanji kara could be explained in two ways. The early and more known definition indicates that Karate is a technique that allows one to defend himself without use of weapons other than hands, feet and other parts of human body.

The second definition mirrors the philosophy of martial arts and oriental spirituality well express from Gichin Funakoshi Sensei's words: «...just as it is the clear mirror that reflects without distortion, or the quiet valley that echoes a sound, so must one who would study Karate-do purge himself of selfish and evil thoughts, for only with a clear mind and conscience can he understand that which he receives. This is another meaning of kara in Karate-Do».