Karate (空手) is a Japanese martial art that originated in the Ryukyu Kingdom (present-day Okinawa prefecture, Japan). It evolved from indigenous Ryukyuan martial arts, influenced by Chinese martial arts. While modern karate primarily focuses on striking techniques like punches and kicks, traditional karate also includes throws and joint locks1. The name “karate” means “empty hand” in Japanese, emphasizing its unarmed nature. Karate gained popularity in mainland Japan during the early 20th century and became well-known globally through martial arts movies in the 1960s and 1970s