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The history of karate can be traced back to India in the time of 520 AD. Many tales are told, but facts and written history are somewhat obscure. It is believed that a legendary Buddhist Monk by the name of Bodhidharma (sometimes referred to as Daruma) crossed the border from India into China. Daruma taught Buddhism to the monks in China. He had incredible physical ability as his feat of crossing into China had proven. In order to strengthen the monks at Shaolin, he taught them the combative art form he studied in India. Due to this training, the monks became known as legendary fighters in China.

Over the centuries, the martial art system evolved in China. Many great masters modified and perfected the art form. As seafaring trade developed throughout Southeast Asia in the 1400s, the systematic martial art form of China was slowly introduced to Okinawa. Okinawa already had a version of martial arts or self-protection simply called, te (hand). Te primarily involved the use of punching techniques with a clenched fist. The Chinese influence on the existing Okinawan art form resulted in a new art form known as tode (later named karate).

In the late 1600s, Okinawa was taken over and controlled by Japanese clans. One clan leader placed strict control and restrictions on the native Okinawans. One of those restrictions was the abolishment of all weapons. The Okinawans practiced the native form of tode in secret in order to resist the Japanese clansmen and defend themselves. Two great seafaring ports in Okinawa were developed, Shuri and Naha. Three different art forms developed and were named for the town in which they were practiced. They were known as Shuri-te, Naha-te, and Tomari-te. Shuri-te was considered a more practical art form suitable for the general population with emphasis on speed. Naha-te was more heavily rooted and relied on strength and dynamic breathing. Tomari-te was considered a combination of both art forms. Shuri-te and Tomari-te later became known as the Shorin style while Naha-te became known as the Shorei style.

Shuri-te and Shorei-te are the basis for modern day karate. Gichin Funakoshi is considered the father of modern day karate. The need for true combat during feudal times was over, but the Zen philosophies and values ever present in the ancient martial arts are carried over into modern martial arts. As the need for deadly combat faded, the names of the arts changed. Kenjutsu (the art of the sword) was changed to Kendo. Jujitsu (the art of giving way) was modified and renamed Judo (the way of gentleness) by Founder Jigoro Kano. Aikido (the way of divine harmony), Tae Kwon Do (the way of hand and foot), and karate-do (the way of the empty hand) are other examples. In essence, the art forms continued to be studied for self realization instead of self preservation. Hence the word "do" (the path or way of) is commonly associated with modern martial arts styles and schools.

Gichin Funakoshi (The founder of Shotokan Karate) was born in Okinawa in Shuri in 1868. He studied karate at an early age. He lived with his Grandparents and was considered a sickly child. He studied karate as a means to better health. His instructors were two Chinese men named Itosu and Azato. Funakoshi was a school teacher and had taught some Japanese navy fleet members his form of karate. Word of Funakoshi and his art form traveled to Japan and he was invited to give a demonstration at the National Athletic Championships. Jigoro Kano was impressed, befriended Funakoshi and asked him to stay on and teach karate in Japan.

In 1922, the Japanese Department of Education announced that a demonstration of ancient Japanese martial arts was to be held. Funakoshi was invited to introduce the Okinawa art of karate to the Japanese capital. The karate demonstration by Funakoshi was well received. He had planned to return to Okinawa but decided to stay when Jigoro Kano (the founder of judo), president of the Kodokan judo hall asked him to give a lecture on the art of karate. Funakoshi demonstrated some kata for Kano at the Kodokan with over 100 spectators. Funakoshi was asked to stay and teach karate in Japan. He decided to stay and follow his dream of and introducing karate-do to all of mainland Japan.

Funakoshi had difficult time while first in Japan. He taught his karate to a hand full of students at the Meisei Juku dormitory in Tokyo. He had no money so he took odd jobs to survive. Things began to change over time and Funakoshi began to acquire more and more students. Many students, with a variety of backgrounds, came to the dojo to train and study karate-do. The universities began to take an interest in karate. Public interest grew and karate began to proliferate in the school systems of Japan. Funakoshi's personal sacrifice was the separation from his family for many years. Funakoshi's dream had come true. The universities of Japan developed great karate instructors under Master Funakoshi. The next step was to introduce karate to Hawaii and mainland United States. Funakoshi sent several top instructors to the United States to teach karate. Today, Shotokan karate is one of the most popular forms of martial arts practiced. Most universities and colleges throughout the United States provide for Shotokan Karate-do.

Article by, Steve McCann