People who know karate do not have to be armed in order to defend themselves. They are able to fight back against their attackers with their hands, feet, elbows and other parts of the body, including the head. In fact, masters of karate can even punch through bricks using their hands. Some people learn karate not just for self-defence but also as a form of exercise to build up their bodies.
Karate was originally developed in the island called Okinawa. Many years ago, Okinawa was invaded by Japanese warriors. The conquerors forbade the people from owning any weapons in order to maintain control over them. The people resorted to training themselves in unarmed fighting. There were some Chinese living among them who taught them the different points on the body that were vulnerable such as the eyes and the spine. To make their hands strong, the Okinawans began punching sand. As most of them were farmers, they also developed ways to use the farm tools as deadly weapons.
For over 300 years, the people in Okinawa continued to practise this method of self-defence. Then in 192O Gichin Funakoshi an Okinawan, taught karate to the Japanese. Gichin Funakoshi, also known as the father of karate, taught his students to use karate solely for defence.
A karate student is known as a karate-ka. The beginners wear white belts and as the level of their skills progresses, the colour of the belt changes accordingly. The white belt is followed by a yellow belt, then green belt and after that a brown belt. The students have to pass several tests in order to wear a belt of different colour. After earning a black belt, a student may become an instructor.