Japanese Martial Arts: Karate

"Ohayou gozaimasu, Minna! After travelling to Osaka for some couple of days, we're back again! Today, we have special guest in this special place! Can you guys figure out where are we?" Tna opened the conversation.

"Well, well, I'll give it a clue..." Tna continued. "This elegant room was made with wooden floor, ceiling, and sometimes the walls. Its function is a place for doing formal training of any Japanese martial arts. Yeah, Japanese people named it 'Dojo' (道場)."


"Shoes are not worn here. Besides the obvious benefits regular cleaning, it also serves to reinforce the fact that dōjō are supposed to be supported and managed by the student body, not the school's instructional staff..." Tna suddenly stopped. "By the way, where's Kaoko-chan? " 



"Tna-chan! Get awaaay..." suddenly Kaoko who came from nowhere shouted. But too late...
BUG...


"Da-da-daijoubu ka, Tna-chan?" Kaoko asked uncertainly while looking Tna's face was already on the wooden floor.
"Nan nan da yo, temee !" she suddenly awoke and scorned with super duper angry voice.
"Ano~ saki ni..." 
"Warukatta na, saki ni ore da yo," said a deep voice asked for apology.

"Are? Dare ka aitsu, Kaoko-chan?" Tna asked perplexedly. She was still confused why this man suddenly punched her without any hesitation.

"Kore wa Kyougoku Makoto-san desu. He supposed to be our lecturer for today," Kaoko explained. 

"Then why 'koitsu' suddenly hit me? How mean !"

"Gomen- I did it unintentionally. I thought you were an annoying reporter that would disturb everyone practicing today," Makoto said regretfully. 

"Hmm. Sou desu ka... maa, you can start off the lesson now," Tna finally forgave him.

"Douzo, Makoto-san," Kaoko asked politely.

"Well..." Makoto opened the lesson. "Today we're going to learn about one of some famous Japanes martial arts, which is Karate!"

"Karate is developed in Ryukyu Island (now Okinawa) from indigenous fighting methods called 'te' (手, literally 'hand') and Chinese kenpoo. Karate is a striking art using punching, kicking, knee and elbow strikes, and open-handed techniques such as knife-hands. Grappling, locks, restrains, throws, and vital point strikes are taught in some styles," he continued fiery.

"Karate is commonly divided into kihon (basic or fundamentals), kata, and kumite (sparring)," he carefully explained. " Karate styles place varying importance on kihon. Typically this is performance in unison of a technique or a combination of techniques by a group of karateka. Kihon may also be prearranged drills in smaller groups or in pairs. Targets for punching and kicking, such as bags, shields, or dummies, are generally used at more advanced stages of kihon training to strengthen muscles, bones, and skin."

"Kata are executed as a specified series of a variety of moves, with stepping and turning, while attempting to maintain perfect form. The practitioner is counseled to visualize the enemy attacks and their responses."

"The last one is kumite or sparing. It literally means 'meeting of hands'. Kumite is practiced both as a sport and as self-defense training. In some forms of competition kumite, punching (tsuki) and kicking (geri) techniques are allowed at the head (jodan) and abdomen (chudan). In some tournaments, groin strikes are allowed as are face contact with advanced ranks."

"Oh well, I kinda confused yet little bit understand about Karate since I know nothing about martial arts- umm... actually, I've ever practiced it once, but not karate. Its name is 'Merpati Putih', one kind of martial arts that used inner power," Tna interrupted. "Then, what about the ranks system in karate?"

"OK. In the Kyuu and Dan system the beginner start with a higher numbered kyuu (10th kyuu/jukyuu) and progress toward a lower number kyuu (1st kyuu/ikyuu). The Dan progression continues from 1st Dan (Shodan or Beginning Dan) to the higher Dan grades. When students are in Dan level, they already use black belt. Requirements of rank differ among styles, organizations, and schools. Kyū ranks stress stance, balance, and coordination, speed and power are added at higher grades."

"What about the colored belts?" Tna asked again.

"The wearing of coloured belts is often associated with kyū ranks, however,  there is no standard association of belt colours with particular ranks and, different schools and organizations assign colours independently," he walked towards the cupboard and took something from it.

"Students wear white belts until they receive their first dan or black belt, while in others a range of color is used for different kyū grades..." he sighed a little. "Take a look at this picture..."

"So we can simply judge someone's grade by looking at the belt she/he wore," he said patiently. "Ah, wasurechatta. About the costume used in karate, usually called 'Karategi', it has a plain white color..."

"Well, well, I think our lesson is ended here. Something you still confused, Tna-chan?" Kaoko asked.

"Umm~ not really, but if I need further details, I'll come back again to this place-" suddenly Tna came up with something and whispered to Kaoko. "Nee, Kaoko-chan..."

"Doushita?"

"You're pretty good at martial arts, deshou ne?"

"Ano... yeah, more less..."

"Can you duel with him and punch his face as well ?" 

"Maji ka yo  ?"

"Mochiron... so, will you  ?" 

"T-T-Tna-chan... y-y-you hidooooi~  "

(PS: Again, thanks so much to wikipedia.com for the information about Karate xD ~ Tna Uchiha)