February 2, 2017 · mccsokinawa.com
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fter the defeat of the Ryukyu Kingdom by the hands of the Satsuma clan of southern Japan, owning weapons became illegal for commoners. Because the people of Okinawa couldn’t carry edged weapons such as swords or knives, they used their bodies and minds to defend themselves. This form of self-defense was first known as the “Chinese Hand,” and subsequently became known as karate. While modern-day karate has evolved into many different forms with different philosophies, many maintain the art’s original core values: de-emphasis
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of rank, a tendency to shun sport traditions such as scoring, and a heavy emphasis on mastering kata forms instead of searching for foes to test. In karate, there is no such thing as a pre-emptive attack, and almost all kata in traditional Okinawan karate begin with a defensive movement. Legendary karate master Kanga Sakugawa said, “Karate teaches us that the best form of self-defense is to avoid the fight altogether…this proves that karate is the art of a wise man.” This not only epitomizes the spirit of karate, but it also reflects the spirit of Okinawa.
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Make Okinawa Home by learning the local martial arts tradition While you’re on Okinawa, take advantage of the many martial arts classes offered by MCCS Semper Fit. Various classes are offered island wide; call your local fitness center or visit mccsokinawa.com/martial_arts for class availability and schedules.
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