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Japanese martial arts can be divided into two main aspects:

1. Unarmed combat
2. Armed Combat

Under unarmed combat can be grouped Karate, Judo, as well as Aikido. Under armed combat can be grouped Kendo, 'the Way of the Sword' or fencing, Kyudo, or 'The Way of the Bow', or archery, as well as the various 'jutsus' or techniques such as the use of the halberd or naginata, the kusari-gama or combination scythe/ball/chain, and bojutsu or the use of the stave.

Karate can trace its origins back to India, the birthplace of the monk Bodhidharma who introduced it to the monks in China. He observed that the monks lacked the stamina necessary to endure the hours of meditation and work in the fields that were a part of monastery life. Since a part of their activities involved leaving the protection of the monastery and venturing forth to the villages they were easy prey for the robbers who plagued the roads. He therefore decided to include physical fitness and self-defense techniques as a part of the formation in the monastery. Over the years the fame of his monastery grew and the Shaolin temple complex became famous. Its pupils ventured far, bringing with them spiritual enlightenment as well as their fighting techniques.

Okinawa Island is the biggest in the archipelago off mainland Japan and is also near to mainland China. When it was invaded by the Kagoshima clan the natives were forbidden to carry weapons of any kind. In order to protect themselves from the invaders who carried out constant repression the people resorted to the use of ordinary farming tools as weapons and to the practice of unarmed combat techniques. These techniques were improved and made more efficient over the years and even today Okinawa Karate is famous the world over.

In 1922, Gichin Funakoshi brought Karate to continental Japan. After the Second World War he founded the Japan Karate Association (JKA). His style was called Shotokan which means literally 'The Style practiced in Shoto's Building', Shoto being his pen name. One of his pupils was Masatoshi Nakayama who later became head of the JKA. Today, Shotokan Karate is the style most practiced by Karate enthusiasts.

Its techniques are direct and powerful, relying on the hips to focus the power of the entire body in punching, kicking or blocking. This focus and power can convert even a simple downward block into a devastating counterattack.

The other, less-popular styles such as Wado, known for its swift movements, Goju, made popular by

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