10/26/2026
HAPPY WORLD KARATE DAY to all our students and fellow karatekas out there! β€π₯π
The date of October 25th, 1936 represents a landmark in the history of modern Karate, as the senior masters in Okinawa held a meeting which decided the future path of the art known until then as βToudiβ (εζ - βChinese Handβ). The results of the meeting transformed the Okinawan art into a Japanese art, by changing its name to "Karate" (η©Ίζ - "Empty Hand"), adopting Judoβs belt system (kyu/dan) and uniform, Japanese names for katas and techniques, implementing new ranks and creating new styles. It was a political decision which ensured the success and popularity of Karate in mainland Japan and, subsequently, around the world.
In 2005, the Okinawa Prefectural Assembly passed the resolution declaring October 25th "KARATE NO HI" - the day of karate. Below, we present an English translation of this important declaration.
Resolution on the declaration of the day of Karate (translated by Okinawa Karate Information Center)
Some 700 years ago, karate was born in this land, Okinawa. Coexisting with the beautiful nature and climate of Okinawa, our predecessors created karate, a traditional culture that Okinawa can be proud of. It was originally called βtΔ«β.
Meanwhile, our ancestors who were called βPeople bridging nationsβ actively interacted with people from China and Southeast Asia and other different countries throughout the world. Thus, they raised peace and prosperity by bringing the culture and wealth of the world to this land.
Along with these exchanges, Chinese martial arts were introduced between 1400 and 1500. Karate, which until then had been evolving on its own way, enthusiastically adopted the strong points of Chinese martial arts and bloomed spectacularly. This is the karate that is being passed down to present days.
On October 25, 1936, the name βKarate (open hand)β which is familiar to world karate enthusiasts and many people over the world was officially decided. Therefore, it is meaningful to preserve this day as a βspecial dayβ in history.
As it is well known, the worldβs karate population is estimated to be around 50 million people. Karate is said to go beyon
