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What is Ryu Te?
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The Ryukyu Islands spread like stepping-stones
from the tip of Southern Japan to China. Okinawa,
the largest and most influential of these islands,
is strategically located between these two great
nations. As a result, the culture, history, and
life-style of the Ryukyu Islands have been
greatly influenced by both Chinese and Japanese
cultures.
As cultural exchanges were made with China, ideas
concerning China’s self-defense were merged with
Okinawa’s indigenous fighting art leading to the
development of a unique martial art known today
as karate. The term Karate, originally used by
the Japanese to describe the kicking and striking
art they observed in Okinawa, is now widely used
when referring to almost all kicking and striking
arts regardless of origin.
Ryu Te is a form of karate encompassing a great
deal more than just kicking and punching. Ryu Te
includes grappling techniques, or Tuite; vital
point strikes, or Kysho Jitsu; and weapons
techniques, or Kobudo. These are not separate
arts or additions to karate, but are contained in
the original art. Bogu Kumite, which uses
protective body armor, allows full power blows in
the sporting aspect of Ryu Te.
Today there are many different styles of karate.
These Styles, although related, differ in
philosophy and interpretation of concepts.
As such, karate is classed in three categories.
Modern, Traditional , and Classical.
After 1945, emphasis was placed upon karate as a
sport, hence, Modern karate developed. This is
seen in many eclectic styles that develop new
techniques only for use in sport.
Traditional karate developed after the Meiji
restoration in 1868. A shift from the warrior
philosophy was dictated by the Japanese
government; therefore, emphasis was placed upon
the spiritual and physical development. This is gained by
practicing “the way” of karate rather than actual
combat applications.
Classical karate, developed before 1868, uses
actual fighting philosophy developed by the
warrior class. Classical karate is real karate
technique used to stop opponents in actual
combat, not the controlled conditions of
tournament play.
Ryu Te is a classical system of karate reflecting
the original concepts of the fighting arts of
Okinawa. The techniques are those used by the
ancient warriors of the Ryukyu Islands. It is
these ideals that separate Ryu Te from modern and
traditional forms of karate.
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