The evolution of Traditional Karate reached its completion about 1930 in mainland Japan. Its technical basis began earlier in To-de, the weapon-less fighting art that developed in Okinawa, Japan. To-de came about when the

Okinawan government of the period woud not allow the people to own any weapons.

Okinawan To-de was itself based upon the Chinese fighting art known as Chuan-fa. Chuan-fa traced its origins back more than one thousand years. It is believed that the Chuan-fa fighting art called Nan-Pei-Chun, which was developed in the Fukien Province of China had the greatest inf1uence on the development of Okinawan To-de.

When the technical basis of To-de were added to the martial arts philosophy, the result became Traditional Karate. This came about in 1600 when the various Japanese fighting arts finally came together both in technical principle and philosophy. It was this coming together of the fighting arts as martial arts that defined the beginning of Budo. With this also came the goal of continual seeking for the highest human development.

There are many so-called styles (school systems) within Traditional Karate. Howeve these are principally divided along two lines: Shuri-te (including Tomari-te) and Naha-te. Shuri-te developed in the Shuri area of Okinawa (presently part of the City of Naha). Shuri-te was based on the Chinese Chuan-fa from the era of 1400 A.D.lt was subsequently developed in its own unique way under the geographic and political conditions of Okinawa.

Naha-te traces its origins to the Nan-Pei-Chun of the 1900’s. It was directly introduced to the Naha area of Okinawa from Fukien, China.