American Karate
Encyclopedia
American Karate is generic term usually referring to hybrid martial arts systems that employs cross-training throughout many of the traditional Asian styles. As such, American Karate incorporates the "most useful" elements of Japanese, Okinawan, and Korean Karate. It may also use techniques from other martial arts, like Jujitsu, Aikido, Judo, Kung Fu, kickboxing, etc. American Karate focuses primarily on the sport (sparring) aspect of karate but also includes a practical self-defense regimen. Forms (or Kata) are also taught at many schools. American karate has been both vilified and exalted depending on the views of the observer.
Critics suggest it is a watered-down version of authentic styles popularized by Americans who never stayed with their original teachers long enough to truly understand the intricacies of the art
. They went out on their own and claimed to practice an “American” approach to karate but in reality were only able to teach the most rudimentary techniques.
Supporters, on the other hand, claim that Asian instructors are bound by traditions that are both antiquated and impractical in the modern world. Americans, the argument goes, are open to discovering modern methods of training without misplaced loyalties to a certain nationalistic approach, such as the Japan
ese vs. Okinawan martial styles.
Most systems of American Karate start with a white belt and progress through a number of colors, eventually ending in the black belt. Belts are earned by performance on physical testing over the kata (training patterns), self-defense techniques and sparring abilities set for each level by the individual's school's curriculum. Belt rankings (and qualifications) vary greatly from school to school. There is no universal standard for black belt either in an Americanized Karate system or even in some of the more well-known Asian styles. Simply put, a "dan" rank, or black belt level, can be earned by 18 months of weekend study in one school while another school across town may require six or seven years of austere and intense training. As martial arts scholar Ian Abernathy says, "a black belt rank is only good to gauge where an individual fits within the criteria set by a single group. There is no correlation between rank and actual ability." Having said that, belts are still a valuable gauge for determining the accumulation of physical skills.
is “empty-hand”) has its roots in ancient martial practice in India and China. There is a popular tale of an Indian monk by the name of Bodhidharma, who brought a system of exercise and fighting techniques to the Shaolin Monastery in China around 525 A.D. It is said that this was the beginning of a systematized martial practice that eventually spread to other Asian countries via traveling monks and traders.
Karate itself was born in Okinawa (actually a string of islands off the coast of Japan known as the Ryukyu Islands
). It is said that in ancient times
a style known simply as “te” (literally “hand”) emerged from the influence of the aforementioned Shaolin Kung Fu
. In the 1920s a public school teacher named Gichin Funakoshi introduced what was, by then, called kara-te into mainland Japan
.
There were already family styles of karate in Okinawa and soon several styles were also formed in Japan. There are several differences between the two traditional approaches but that can be researched elsewhere.
were among the first Westerners to ever be exposed to Asian karate styles. Many put 1946 as the date of the first karate instruction in America when Robert Trias
, a returning U.S. Navy
vet, began teaching private lessons in Phoenix, Arizona
. Other early teachers of karate in America were Ed Parker
(a native Hawaiian and Coast Guard
vet who earned a black belt
in 1953), George Mattson (who began studying while stationed in Okinawa in 1956), and Peter Urban
(another Navy vet who started training in the late 1950s).
In the 1950s and early 60s several Asian karate teachers arrived in America to seek their fortunes and to aid in the popularization of the art. They included Hidetaka Nishiyama, Teruyuki Okazaki, Takayuki Mikami, Tsutomu Ohshima
, Richard Kim, and Takayuki Kubota. Several Koreans also came to America in those days to introduce the Korean version of the martial arts (not yet known by the term tae kwon do
). They included Jhoon Rhee, Henry Cho
, Kim Soo, and Jack Hwang.
In spite of the presence of these Asian instructors, karate was primarily spread across the country in the early days by American-born teachers. They included Trias, Nagle, Parker, Mattson, and Urban, plus pioneers like Steve Armstrong
, Allen Steen
, Ernest Lieb, Pat Burleson, Mike Stone, Chuck Norris
, and Joe Lewis.
Edmund K. Parker, Sr.
was a 10th-degree black belt in American Kenpo Karate
. He received his black belt in 1953. Parker based his system on Kenpo Karate
and Kenpo-Ju-Jitsu
. Parker was one of the first to commercialize karate in America and became known by many as the "Father of American Karate" because he originated the first "Americanized" version of Karate.
Ernest H. Lieb was a 10th-degree black belt. He received his 1st-degree black belt in 1958. Mr. Lieb based his system on Chi Do Kwan, Karate
, Judo
, Jiu Jitsu
, and Aikido
. In 1964 Lieb was one of the first teachers to put the word "American" in front of karate.
J.Pat Burleson is a 10th-degree black belt. He received his 1st degree black belt in 1963 in Tae Kwon Do
by Allen Steen
. Burleson was Allen Steen
's first black belt student. Steen, in turn, was Jhoon Rhee
's first black belt student in America in 1962. Burleson based his system on Tae Kwon Do
, Tang Soo Do
, and Wado-Ryu. His website says he is one of the founders of American Karate and his claims have some legitimacy since he won the first National Karate Championships in 1964 in Washington D.C.
Initially there were language problems and cultural differences
. Many Asian teachers were irritated that the Americans always seemed to be asking, “Why?” “Why do we stand this way?” “How does this block work?” Asians were used to students who would practice whatever they were told without question. It was common in Japan to repeat the same technique for months or even years before being allowed to learn another one. Americans wanted to learn as quickly as possible.
When karate first came to the United States there were usually only three or four belt colors in a system with a waiting period of a year or more between them. Because of the impatience of the Americans, most systems gradually increased the number of belt colors to where today, many schools have up to twenty colors and “stripes,” sometimes coming after only a month of training.
The Sport of Karate
Almost all of the American instructors were not only teachers but also champions in the karate tournaments of the day. Most of them simply called themselves karate practitioners rather than referring to themselves as Shotokan, or Isshin-ryu
stylists. Interestingly, even the Korean stylists. called themselves practitioners of “Korean karate” rather than tae kwon do. That is why, today, many martial artists who teach styles with a Korean background, often refer to themselves as practitioners of American karate or even American Tae Kwon Do.
These American champions were only interested in promoting karate as an effective fighting method and had no interest in loyalties to an Asian tradition or even in the political maneuverings going on in Japan and Korea (and there were many). Several Americans, in fact, started their own styles and organizations to promote karate in America. And most of the early tournaments were sponsored by Americans.
So the American style of karate came into its own during the late 1960s and early 70s. It really isn’t so much a style as a way of approaching the martial arts. Promoting karate in America in those days was a tough sell. Although karate, judo and kung fu
were regularly seen on TV and in the movies, they were usually cloaked in mysticism
. Not only did Americans not understand the martial arts, they didn't really think they were all that effective. Thus the early practitioners faced constant challenges from street fighters, even in their own schools.
That is one reason that the American karate tournaments of the 1960s were so brutal. Americans seemed obsessed with proving karate was a superior method of fighting. They were quick to adapt any technique that “worked” in the ring, whether it was from the Japanese or the Koreans (or even a Chinese system if they could find it). In fact, Bruce Lee
, a Chinese stylist, would epitomize the American approach. He became famous for combining techniques from several systems to build an eclectic arsenal. He often criticized the “blind following of tradition.”
Athletic competition had long been an accepted practice in the West and the tournament scene became the primary method for promoting karate in the USA. The American style came to be closely associated with a sporting approach. Many wanted to make karate into the next big national athletic event. That never really happened. In spite of an increase in the number of tournaments on the American karate scene in those days, they never grew beyond an attraction for those already involved in the sport.
But because of this emphasis on a tough, bare-knuckled (sparring pads had not yet been invented) fighting many would say that an over-emphasis on trophies and performance before the judges stripped karate of many of its beneficial aspects such as respect for others, character-building, and perhaps even a practical approach to self-defense
).
Still, there were instructors who attempted to maintain connections to the “traditions” of karate as they were practiced in Japan and Okinawa in the early 20th century. This combination of the sport and the tradition is what you’ll find in most American karate schools today.
• the traditional era (1956-1966), during which Oriental practices were closely observed;
• the progressive era (1967-1972), characterized by a mixing of styles and the development of competitive heroes;
• the contact era (1973-1980), brought about by technological advances, including innovations in equipment, in the martial arts practiced in America;
• the international era (1981-1992), identified by the open acceptance of multicultural martial arts;
• the reality era (1993-2000), during which no-holds-barred fighting gave rise to and emphasized striking and grappling skills; and
• the contemporary era (2001-present), partly triggered by the events of September 11, 2001, after which Americans renewed their interest in the original intent of karate: self-defense."(Beasley, Jerry, Mastering Karate, Human Kinetics, 2002, by permission of author)
While there are modern systems with names like American Kenpo Karate (Ed Parker), The American Karate System (Ernest Lieb) and even American Freestyle Karate (early tournament champion Dan Anderson) American karate, as noted, isn’t a specific style and no one person can claim to be its founder.
Prospective students would be wise to check out the quality of instruction at a school by talking to parents and students (off the record and away from the ears of the school owner). Also contact the Better Business Bureau
for complaints. In addition, you should attempt to determine the legitimacy of an instructor’s black belt ranking. That is, unfortunately, hard to do since there is no single governing body for certification—not for American Karate, or for any other style for that matter. It is common for someone with only a high school education, but with a mean streak in the ring, to earn a “black belt” and end up teaching children.
Many, if not most, karate schools in America are run by qualified and dedicated individuals who are good at not only the martial arts but at communicating the benefits and skills of karate.
), perpetuate the image of Oriental mystique, American karate practitioners have been a large part of putting the martial arts squarely into modern pop culture
via television and movies. They include Chuck Norris
, Jeff Speakman
, Mark Dacascos
, and Wesley Snipes
.
Critics suggest it is a watered-down version of authentic styles popularized by Americans who never stayed with their original teachers long enough to truly understand the intricacies of the art
Martial arts
Martial arts are extensive systems of codified practices and traditions of combat, practiced for a variety of reasons, including self-defense, competition, physical health and fitness, as well as mental and spiritual development....
. They went out on their own and claimed to practice an “American” approach to karate but in reality were only able to teach the most rudimentary techniques.
Supporters, on the other hand, claim that Asian instructors are bound by traditions that are both antiquated and impractical in the modern world. Americans, the argument goes, are open to discovering modern methods of training without misplaced loyalties to a certain nationalistic approach, such as the Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese vs. Okinawan martial styles.
American Karate Belt System
| White |
 |
| Yellow |
 |
| Orange |
 |
| Green |
 |
| Blue |
 |
| Purple |
 |
| Red |
 |
| Brown (3 degrees) |
 |
| Black (10 degrees) |
 |
Most systems of American Karate start with a white belt and progress through a number of colors, eventually ending in the black belt. Belts are earned by performance on physical testing over the kata (training patterns), self-defense techniques and sparring abilities set for each level by the individual's school's curriculum. Belt rankings (and qualifications) vary greatly from school to school. There is no universal standard for black belt either in an Americanized Karate system or even in some of the more well-known Asian styles. Simply put, a "dan" rank, or black belt level, can be earned by 18 months of weekend study in one school while another school across town may require six or seven years of austere and intense training. As martial arts scholar Ian Abernathy says, "a black belt rank is only good to gauge where an individual fits within the criteria set by a single group. There is no correlation between rank and actual ability." Having said that, belts are still a valuable gauge for determining the accumulation of physical skills.
Asia
Karate (the modern, literal translationLiteral translation
Literal translation, or direct translation, is the rendering of text from one language to another "word-for-word" rather than conveying the sense of the original...
is “empty-hand”) has its roots in ancient martial practice in India and China. There is a popular tale of an Indian monk by the name of Bodhidharma, who brought a system of exercise and fighting techniques to the Shaolin Monastery in China around 525 A.D. It is said that this was the beginning of a systematized martial practice that eventually spread to other Asian countries via traveling monks and traders.
Karate itself was born in Okinawa (actually a string of islands off the coast of Japan known as the Ryukyu Islands
Ryukyu Islands
The , also known as the , is a chain of islands in the western Pacific, on the eastern limit of the East China Sea and to the southwest of the island of Kyushu in Japan. From about 1829 until the mid 20th century, they were alternately called Luchu, Loochoo, or Lewchew, akin to the Mandarin...
). It is said that in ancient times
Ancient history
Ancient history is the study of the written past from the beginning of recorded human history to the Early Middle Ages. The span of recorded history is roughly 5,000 years, with Cuneiform script, the oldest discovered form of coherent writing, from the protoliterate period around the 30th century BC...
a style known simply as “te” (literally “hand”) emerged from the influence of the aforementioned Shaolin Kung Fu
Shaolin kung fu
Shaolin Kung Fu refers to a collection of Chinese martial arts that claim affiliation with the Shaolin Monastery.Of the multitude styles of kung fu and wushu, only some are actually related to Shaolin...
. In the 1920s a public school teacher named Gichin Funakoshi introduced what was, by then, called kara-te into mainland Japan
Mainland Japan
is a term to distinguish the area of Japan from its outlying territories. It was an official term in the pre-war period, distinguishing Japan and the colonies in East Asia...
.
There were already family styles of karate in Okinawa and soon several styles were also formed in Japan. There are several differences between the two traditional approaches but that can be researched elsewhere.
America
For our purposes it is important to note that American servicemen serving in Japan and Okinawa after the conclusion of World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
were among the first Westerners to ever be exposed to Asian karate styles. Many put 1946 as the date of the first karate instruction in America when Robert Trias
Robert Trias
Robert A. Trias was a U.S. karate pioneer, founding the first karate school in the mainland United States. He also developed Shuri-ryū karate, an eclectic style with roots in the Okinawan Shuri-te tradition.-Early years:...
, a returning U.S. Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
vet, began teaching private lessons in Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
. Other early teachers of karate in America were Ed Parker
Ed Parker
Edmund Kealoha "Ed" Parker was an American martial artist, promoter, teacher, and author.-Life:Parker was born in Hawaii, and raised a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He began his training in the martial arts at a young age in judo and later boxing...
(a native Hawaiian and Coast Guard
Coast guard
A coast guard or coastguard is a national organization responsible for various services at sea. However the term implies widely different responsibilities in different countries, from being a heavily armed military force with customs and security duties to being a volunteer organization tasked with...
vet who earned a black belt
Black belt (martial arts)
In martial arts, the black belt is a way to describe a graduate of a field where a practitioner's level is often marked by the color of the belt. The black belt is commonly the highest belt color used and denotes a degree of competence. It is often associated with a teaching grade though...
in 1953), George Mattson (who began studying while stationed in Okinawa in 1956), and Peter Urban
Peter Urban
Peter Urban is a German musician and radio host.Since the 1997 Contest, Urban following Jan Hofer has been the German commentator for the Eurovision Song Contest. Due to illness in 2009, Urban was unable to commentate on the 2009 Contest, with Tim Frühling filling in, however returning to...
(another Navy vet who started training in the late 1950s).
In the 1950s and early 60s several Asian karate teachers arrived in America to seek their fortunes and to aid in the popularization of the art. They included Hidetaka Nishiyama, Teruyuki Okazaki, Takayuki Mikami, Tsutomu Ohshima
Tsutomu Ohshima
is a prominent Japanese master of Shotokan karate who founded the Shotokan Karate of America organization. He is the Shihan of the SKA, and to this day holds the rank of 5th dan in karate, which was awarded to him by Gichin Funakoshi...
, Richard Kim, and Takayuki Kubota. Several Koreans also came to America in those days to introduce the Korean version of the martial arts (not yet known by the term tae kwon do
Taekwondo
Taekwondo is a Korean martial art and the national sport of South Korea. In Korean, tae means "to strike or break with foot"; kwon means "to strike or break with fist"; and do means "way", "method", or "path"...
). They included Jhoon Rhee, Henry Cho
Henry Cho
Henry Cho is an American stand-up comedian. His work can be heard nationwide several times weekly on XM Radio's Channel 151, Laugh USA and Sirius Radio's Blue Collar Radio channel 103, Pandora Radio's PG Comedy Radio channel.- Biography :Cho, who is of Korean American descent, was raised in...
, Kim Soo, and Jack Hwang.
In spite of the presence of these Asian instructors, karate was primarily spread across the country in the early days by American-born teachers. They included Trias, Nagle, Parker, Mattson, and Urban, plus pioneers like Steve Armstrong
Steve Armstrong
Steve Armstrong is a professional wrestler and is the son of the legendary "Bullet" Bob Armstrong. He has three brothers that also wrestle: Scott, Brad and Brian.-Professional wrestling career:...
, Allen Steen
Allen Steen
Allen R. Steen is an American martial arts practitioner, teacher, and promoter. He was taught by Jhoon Rhee, the "Father of American Taekwondo", and was the first of Rhee's American students to reach black belt standing. He was inducted into the Taekwondo Hall of Fame in 2007.Steen was a business...
, Ernest Lieb, Pat Burleson, Mike Stone, Chuck Norris
Chuck Norris
Carlos Ray "Chuck" Norris is an American martial artist and actor. After serving in the United States Air Force, he began his rise to fame as a martial artist and has since founded his own school, Chun Kuk Do...
, and Joe Lewis.
Founders of American Systems
No individual can truly claim to be the founder of "American Karate" because it is an eclectic mix of systems and styles. Many instructors have taken what they considered to be the best of different systems to devise a curriculum that worked for them and their students. Some individuals who have claimed to be founders of their own systems of "American Karate" are listed here.Edmund K. Parker, Sr.
Ed Parker
Edmund Kealoha "Ed" Parker was an American martial artist, promoter, teacher, and author.-Life:Parker was born in Hawaii, and raised a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He began his training in the martial arts at a young age in judo and later boxing...
was a 10th-degree black belt in American Kenpo Karate
American Kenpo
American Kenpo or Kenpo Karate is a system of martial arts created by Ed Parker, characterized by the use of quick moves in rapid-fire succession intended to overwhelm an opponent...
. He received his black belt in 1953. Parker based his system on Kenpo Karate
Kenpo
is the name of several Japanese martial arts. The word kenpō is a Japanese translation of the Chinese word "quánfǎ. This term is often informally transliterated as "kempo", as a result of applying Traditional Hepburn romanization, but failing to use a macron to indicate the long vowel...
and Kenpo-Ju-Jitsu
James Mitose
James Masayoshi Mitose James Masayoshi Mitose James Masayoshi Mitose (born Masayoshi Mitose, (December 30, 1916 — March 26, 1981) was a Japanese American martial artist who brought the art of Kenpo to the United States starting in the late 1930s....
. Parker was one of the first to commercialize karate in America and became known by many as the "Father of American Karate" because he originated the first "Americanized" version of Karate.
Ernest H. Lieb was a 10th-degree black belt. He received his 1st-degree black belt in 1958. Mr. Lieb based his system on Chi Do Kwan, Karate
Karate
is a martial art developed in the Ryukyu Islands in what is now Okinawa, Japan. It was developed from indigenous fighting methods called and Chinese kenpō. Karate is a striking art using punching, kicking, knee and elbow strikes, and open-handed techniques such as knife-hands. Grappling, locks,...
, Judo
Judo
is a modern martial art and combat sport created in Japan in 1882 by Jigoro Kano. Its most prominent feature is its competitive element, where the object is to either throw or takedown one's opponent to the ground, immobilize or otherwise subdue one's opponent with a grappling maneuver, or force an...
, Jiu Jitsu
Jujutsu
Jujutsu , also known as jujitsu, ju-jitsu, or Japanese jiu-jitsu, is a Japanese martial art and a method of close combat for defeating an armed and armored opponent in which one uses no weapon, or only a short weapon....
, and Aikido
Aikido
is a Japanese martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba as a synthesis of his martial studies, philosophy, and religious beliefs. Aikido is often translated as "the Way of unifying life energy" or as "the Way of harmonious spirit." Ueshiba's goal was to create an art that practitioners could use to...
. In 1964 Lieb was one of the first teachers to put the word "American" in front of karate.
J.Pat Burleson is a 10th-degree black belt. He received his 1st degree black belt in 1963 in Tae Kwon Do
Taekwondo
Taekwondo is a Korean martial art and the national sport of South Korea. In Korean, tae means "to strike or break with foot"; kwon means "to strike or break with fist"; and do means "way", "method", or "path"...
by Allen Steen
Allen Steen
Allen R. Steen is an American martial arts practitioner, teacher, and promoter. He was taught by Jhoon Rhee, the "Father of American Taekwondo", and was the first of Rhee's American students to reach black belt standing. He was inducted into the Taekwondo Hall of Fame in 2007.Steen was a business...
. Burleson was Allen Steen
Allen Steen
Allen R. Steen is an American martial arts practitioner, teacher, and promoter. He was taught by Jhoon Rhee, the "Father of American Taekwondo", and was the first of Rhee's American students to reach black belt standing. He was inducted into the Taekwondo Hall of Fame in 2007.Steen was a business...
's first black belt student. Steen, in turn, was Jhoon Rhee
Jhoon Goo Rhee
Rhee Jhoon Goo , commonly known as Jhoon Rhee, is a South Korean master of taekwondo who is widely recognized as the 'Father of American Taekwondo' for introducing this martial art to the United States of America since arriving in the 1950s. Rhee is ranked 10th dan.Rhee was born on January 7, 1932,...
's first black belt student in America in 1962. Burleson based his system on Tae Kwon Do
Taekwondo
Taekwondo is a Korean martial art and the national sport of South Korea. In Korean, tae means "to strike or break with foot"; kwon means "to strike or break with fist"; and do means "way", "method", or "path"...
, Tang Soo Do
Tang Soo Do
Tang Soo Do is a Korean martial art promoted by Hwang Kee that has roots in various martial arts, including taekkyeon and Subak.-Etymology:...
, and Wado-Ryu. His website says he is one of the founders of American Karate and his claims have some legitimacy since he won the first National Karate Championships in 1964 in Washington D.C.
The Americanization of Karate
An Impatient AudienceInitially there were language problems and cultural differences
Cultural identity
Cultural identity is the identity of a group or culture, or of an individual as far as one is influenced by one's belonging to a group or culture. Cultural identity is similar to and has overlaps with, but is not synonymous with, identity politics....
. Many Asian teachers were irritated that the Americans always seemed to be asking, “Why?” “Why do we stand this way?” “How does this block work?” Asians were used to students who would practice whatever they were told without question. It was common in Japan to repeat the same technique for months or even years before being allowed to learn another one. Americans wanted to learn as quickly as possible.
When karate first came to the United States there were usually only three or four belt colors in a system with a waiting period of a year or more between them. Because of the impatience of the Americans, most systems gradually increased the number of belt colors to where today, many schools have up to twenty colors and “stripes,” sometimes coming after only a month of training.
The Sport of Karate
Almost all of the American instructors were not only teachers but also champions in the karate tournaments of the day. Most of them simply called themselves karate practitioners rather than referring to themselves as Shotokan, or Isshin-ryu
Isshin-ryu
is a style of Okinawan karate founded by Tatsuo Shimabuku and named by him on 15 January 1956. Isshin-Ryū karate is largely a synthesis of Shorin-ryū karate, Gojū-ryū karate, and kobudō. The name means, literally, "one heart method"...
stylists. Interestingly, even the Korean stylists. called themselves practitioners of “Korean karate” rather than tae kwon do. That is why, today, many martial artists who teach styles with a Korean background, often refer to themselves as practitioners of American karate or even American Tae Kwon Do.
These American champions were only interested in promoting karate as an effective fighting method and had no interest in loyalties to an Asian tradition or even in the political maneuverings going on in Japan and Korea (and there were many). Several Americans, in fact, started their own styles and organizations to promote karate in America. And most of the early tournaments were sponsored by Americans.
So the American style of karate came into its own during the late 1960s and early 70s. It really isn’t so much a style as a way of approaching the martial arts. Promoting karate in America in those days was a tough sell. Although karate, judo and kung fu
Chinese martial arts
Chinese martial arts, also referred to by the Mandarin Chinese term wushu and popularly as kung fu , are a number of fighting styles that have developed over the centuries in China. These fighting styles are often classified according to common traits, identified as "families" , "sects" or...
were regularly seen on TV and in the movies, they were usually cloaked in mysticism
Mysticism
Mysticism is the knowledge of, and especially the personal experience of, states of consciousness, i.e. levels of being, beyond normal human perception, including experience and even communion with a supreme being.-Classical origins:...
. Not only did Americans not understand the martial arts, they didn't really think they were all that effective. Thus the early practitioners faced constant challenges from street fighters, even in their own schools.
That is one reason that the American karate tournaments of the 1960s were so brutal. Americans seemed obsessed with proving karate was a superior method of fighting. They were quick to adapt any technique that “worked” in the ring, whether it was from the Japanese or the Koreans (or even a Chinese system if they could find it). In fact, Bruce Lee
Bruce Lee
Bruce Lee was a Chinese American, Hong Kong actor, martial arts instructor, philosopher, film director, film producer, screenwriter, and founder of the Jeet Kune Do martial arts movement...
, a Chinese stylist, would epitomize the American approach. He became famous for combining techniques from several systems to build an eclectic arsenal. He often criticized the “blind following of tradition.”
Athletic competition had long been an accepted practice in the West and the tournament scene became the primary method for promoting karate in the USA. The American style came to be closely associated with a sporting approach. Many wanted to make karate into the next big national athletic event. That never really happened. In spite of an increase in the number of tournaments on the American karate scene in those days, they never grew beyond an attraction for those already involved in the sport.
But because of this emphasis on a tough, bare-knuckled (sparring pads had not yet been invented) fighting many would say that an over-emphasis on trophies and performance before the judges stripped karate of many of its beneficial aspects such as respect for others, character-building, and perhaps even a practical approach to self-defense
Self-defense
Self-defense, self-defence or private defense is a countermeasure that involves defending oneself, one's property or the well-being of another from physical harm. The use of the right of self-defense as a legal justification for the use of force in times of danger is available in many...
).
Still, there were instructors who attempted to maintain connections to the “traditions” of karate as they were practiced in Japan and Okinawa in the early 20th century. This combination of the sport and the tradition is what you’ll find in most American karate schools today.
Today
The practice of modern karate has been patterned on Asian systems but has evolved into a uniquely American interpretation. Unlike Japanese shotokan or Okinawan ishhin ryu, there’s no single style of American karate (though most American schools do claim brotherhood or lineage with one or more Asian discipline). The following eras in the development of American karate are provided by Dr. Jerry Beasley, an acclaimed author of martial arts development. "The mixing of styles and philosophies and the addition of methods and practices introduced by Americans might be better understood if we look at the development of martial arts in the United States over several eras:• the traditional era (1956-1966), during which Oriental practices were closely observed;
• the progressive era (1967-1972), characterized by a mixing of styles and the development of competitive heroes;
• the contact era (1973-1980), brought about by technological advances, including innovations in equipment, in the martial arts practiced in America;
• the international era (1981-1992), identified by the open acceptance of multicultural martial arts;
• the reality era (1993-2000), during which no-holds-barred fighting gave rise to and emphasized striking and grappling skills; and
• the contemporary era (2001-present), partly triggered by the events of September 11, 2001, after which Americans renewed their interest in the original intent of karate: self-defense."(Beasley, Jerry, Mastering Karate, Human Kinetics, 2002, by permission of author)
While there are modern systems with names like American Kenpo Karate (Ed Parker), The American Karate System (Ernest Lieb) and even American Freestyle Karate (early tournament champion Dan Anderson) American karate, as noted, isn’t a specific style and no one person can claim to be its founder.
Prospective students would be wise to check out the quality of instruction at a school by talking to parents and students (off the record and away from the ears of the school owner). Also contact the Better Business Bureau
Better Business Bureau
The Better Business Bureau , founded in 1912, is a corporation consisting of several private business franchises of local BBB organizations based in the United States and Canada, which work through their parent corporation, the Council of Better Business Bureaus .The Better Business Bureau, through...
for complaints. In addition, you should attempt to determine the legitimacy of an instructor’s black belt ranking. That is, unfortunately, hard to do since there is no single governing body for certification—not for American Karate, or for any other style for that matter. It is common for someone with only a high school education, but with a mean streak in the ring, to earn a “black belt” and end up teaching children.
Many, if not most, karate schools in America are run by qualified and dedicated individuals who are good at not only the martial arts but at communicating the benefits and skills of karate.
Pop culture
While it is accurate to say that Asian films and actors (i.e., Bruce Lee and Jackie ChanJackie Chan
Jackie Chan, SBS, MBE is a Hong Kong actor, action choreographer, comedian, director, producer, martial artist, screenwriter, entrepreneur, singer and stunt performer. In his movies, he is known for his acrobatic fighting style, comic timing, use of improvised weapons, and innovative stunts...
), perpetuate the image of Oriental mystique, American karate practitioners have been a large part of putting the martial arts squarely into modern pop culture
Popular culture
Popular culture is the totality of ideas, perspectives, attitudes, memes, images and other phenomena that are deemed preferred per an informal consensus within the mainstream of a given culture, especially Western culture of the early to mid 20th century and the emerging global mainstream of the...
via television and movies. They include Chuck Norris
Chuck Norris
Carlos Ray "Chuck" Norris is an American martial artist and actor. After serving in the United States Air Force, he began his rise to fame as a martial artist and has since founded his own school, Chun Kuk Do...
, Jeff Speakman
Jeff Speakman
Jeff Speakman is an American actor and a martial artist in the art of American kenpo karate and Japanese Goju-Ryu, earning blackbelts in each.-Early life:...
, Mark Dacascos
Mark Dacascos
Mark Alan Dacascos is an American actor and martial artist. He won numerous karate and various styles of kung fu championships between the ages of 7 and 18....
, and Wesley Snipes
Wesley Snipes
Wesley Trent Snipes is an American actor, film producer, and martial artist, who has starred in numerous action films, thrillers, and dramatic feature films. Snipes is known for playing the Marvel Comics character Blade in the Blade film trilogy, among various other high profile roles...
.