#karate #karatedo #karateday #october

Every October 25, World Karate Day is celebrated, the origin of this day is found in the year 1936.

On October 25, 1936, the following masters were completed in the Showa Kaikan Hall in Naha, Okinawa:

Chomo Hanashiro, Chotoku Kyan, Choki Motobu, Chojun Miyagi, Juhatsu Kyoda, Choshin Chibana, Shinpan Shiroma, Chotei Oroku, Genwa Nakasone.(1)

Image source: http://yamada-san.blogspot.com/2008/02/meeting-of-okinawa-karate-do-masters-in.html

This meeting was promoted by the publisher of the Ryukyu Shinpo newspaper. And among other things, it was defined to use the name "karate" for the martial art of the empty hand, coming from Okinawa.

In 2005, the Prefectural Assembly of Okinawa, the place of origin of Karate, approved the resolution declaring October 25 "Karate no hi", the day of karate.(2)

Since then, every year on this date, karate-practising groups in Okinawa Prefecture have held commemorative events on this day.

On October 23, 2016, as part of the celebrations, the Guinness World Record for "Most People Performing a Kata" was achieved on Kokusai Street in Naha.

This record was attended by 3,973 people, who performed "Fukyu-gata ichi" simultaneously.

The event was sponsored by the Okinawa prefecture, the Okinawa Traditional Karatedo Promotion Association and the prefectural assembly. (3)

Image from: https://www.visitokinawa.jp/information/karate

Karate Day commemorations are held on this date around the world in a similar way to those held on this day in Okinawa.

In 2018, the challenge "100 katas for Karate day" was launched, practicing a Kata 100 times consecutively, each karate ka can choose the kata of his preference and perform the 100 practices at his own pace.

Let's not forget the message that the organizers gave for this challenge:

"Even if you're not sure you can complete 100 reps, we highly recommend you take on the next challenge event and do your best. The only way you can fail is by not participating!" (4)

Photo by Thao Le Hoang on Unsplash

Article by: Erick ikki López

References:

1) http://seinenkai.com/articles/sanzinsoo/1936.html

2) http://okic.okinawa/en/archives/newstopics/536

3) https://www.visitokinawa.jp/information/karate

4) http://challengeokinawa.com/en_US/100katachallenges/