In Japanese it means "open hand," to many others it is known as karate.
The first form of karate appeared around 400 B.C., when Buddhist monks in India used a form of karate to defend themselves against wild animals.
In the United States, karate was made popular after service men stationed in Asia during World War II brought it home with them. More learned of karate techniques after the Korean and Vietnam wars.
Karate emphasizes initiating blows to the most easily injured parts of the body, like the stomach and neck. Kung Fu is the Chinese version of karate, using more fluid circular movements. In Korea, karate is known as Tae Kwon Do and emphasizes kicking.
Today, karate is still used for self-defense, but not quite like the Buddhist monks of India used so many years ago.
Photos by Amy Anderson
Story and design by Jeremy Eckert and Laura Qualey