Karate Sparring
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Karate Sparring
Karate sparring and its use by different teachers had a big effect on the number of karate styles studied today. This form developed in early 20th century Japan from ‘empty hand’ fighting methods practiced on Okinawa. Study and teaching through the practice of techniques (kihon) and forms (kata) were distilled into karate-do. Karate sparring (kumite) was limited to allow daily practice without injury.
The father of the modern form, Gichin Funakoshi, studied Shaolin-influenced styles under Anko Itosu then developed Shotokan styles (his own school, or ryu), later introducing this style to mainland Japan. Funakoshi emphasised health and personal development alongside the techniques and forms, and rarely allowed karate sparring, considering the techniques too dangerous to be used in training. Teaching blocking and striking movements with low stances to build strength, he instructed students to “perform the kata correctly….”, though conceding that “...The real fight is a different matter”. Nowadays, this style includes kumite drills, recognising that karate sparring of any kind develops timing and control. Shotokan-ryu is classified as a ‘hard’ style and is one of four recognised ‘traditional’ styles.
Funakoshi’s student, Hironori Otsuka, created another, known as Wado-ryu. But Otsuka was also influenced by Itosu’s teachings and favoured a ‘soft’ style that avoids, rather than confronts the attack. Otsuka had also seen more combative training methods used in judo and kendo and so used karate sparring
 in his teaching, as a more realistic form of combat training. Of the other traditional styles, Goju-ryu,‘hard-soft style’, incorporates grappling techniques. Its creator, Chojun Miyagi, trained under Kanryo Higaonna who had studied in China. This style has strong emphasis on body conditioning and technique drills for karate; sparring with a partner using only pre-arranged kumite forms and free karate sparring with minimum contact. Shito-ryu was created by Kenwa Mabuni who trained under both Itosu and Higaonna and developed a combination style. Mabuni experimented with protective gear in free karate sparring, but thought the risk of injury still too great and reverted to kata as the main form of training, including only stylised forms of kumite as a means of kata application.Today, another popular and influential style is Kyokushin, created by Masutatsu Oyama who studied under Funakoshi and then trained for many years in Goju-ryu. Kyokushin is a hard style with a ‘no-nonsense’ approach to mental and physical training, karate sparring and ‘full-contact’ tournaments and challenges. Elements from other combat sports such as muay thai and judo are also included. In this style of karate, sparring is used to develop physical and mental toughness as much as to practice technique.
Click here for Shotokan Karate Handbook. And Mas Oyama's book Advanced Karate is available here. Karate sparring in training or fighting in competition may require the wearing of body protection. Instep protectors and fist guards are common. Full-contact may also allow for head guards and gum shields. Click here or the image for Tokaido's Satin Karate Belt Click here for Tokaido's Super Heavy Weight Karate Gi. Books and clothing to enhance the experience of karate sparring |
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