What is karate?
Karate, meaning "empty hand", is a comprehensive unarmed combat system that has progressively developed over the past three centuries for personal defense against criminal violence. Karate was born in Okinawa, which due to its position as a trade hub between Japan, China, and Southeast Asia, was exposed to many ideas and influences. Karate is a fusion of the native Okinawan art of Te (which is now rarely practiced), and Chinese martial arts, principally Shaolin and White Crane styles of kung fu, along with lesser contributions from other arts -- the "mixed martial arts" of its day.
Karate-do, "empty hand way", refers to the practice of karate not merely as technique, but as a way of life guided by discipline, ethics, and a warrior mindset.
We refer to what we do as "Okinawan Karate-Do" to distinguish from styles of karate developed later in other nations, mainly Japan.
Why do we practice karate today?
Our primary purpose in practicing karate is the same as that of the masters who developed the art: practical personal defense against criminal violence.
In the early 20th century, karate was introduced to Japan, and through Japan to the rest of the world, a fortunate turn of events that allowed us to benefit from it today. But unfortunately, in the popularization of karate, often its original purpose and many of its techniques became lost, leading to the perception that "karate is useless in a real fight". The resulting void was filled chiefly by combat sports such as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts.
However, at Liberty Karate Club, we believe karate, practiced as it was originally intended, continues to be a viable system of personal defense that addresses the reality of criminal encounters without the inevitable concessions combat sports must make in their rules. Additionally, because sport competition is not our goal, our art can empower people of all ages, all sizes, both sexes, varying states of health, and all walks of life, to defend themselves and their loved ones effectively.
What style of karate do we practice at Liberty Karate Club?
The core curriculum of Liberty Karate Club is an Okinawan karate style known as Matsubayashi Ryu. Matsubayashi Ryu emphasizes natural stances, steps, and movements that provide for economy of motion, and includes an array of quick, powerful strikes and kicks ideal for close combat. These qualities make it a powerful toolkit for a violent encounter. However, at Liberty Karate Club, we are students of not only Matsubayashi Ryu, but evidence-based "street survival". We incorporate what is useful from many sources, from the revivals of traditional wisdom breaking out across the karate community, to other fighting systems ancient and modern, and the realistic study of criminal violence. This open-minded approach was typical of the great karate masters, who, while paying due respect to tradition, were pioneers, not afraid to refine what they had received, keeping what works and discarding what doesn't.
What is the history of Matsubayashi Ryu?
Matsubayashi Ryu, "Pine Forest Style", was developed by Shoshin Nagamine (1907-1997) out of the karate handed down by his masters, and was given its name in 1947. It is a sub-style of Shorin Ryu, which is one of the three major Okinawan karate styles (alongside Goju Ryu and Uechi Ryu). The first Matsubayashi Ryu school opened in the United States in 1960. By the time of Grandmaster Nagamine's death, his art was practiced worldwide.