In modern usage the word karate refers to an empty-handed martial arts system that traces its origins to Okinawa. Okinawan Karate developed over the last four centuries in and around the cities of Shuri and Naha. In 1820, for the first time, Sokon Matsumara (1796-1882), a resident of Shuri, began to codify and systemize the karate of his region. The result is the style of karate-do known as Shorin-ryu (in English, "pine tree forest school"). Two (2) branches of Shorin-ryu and taught at the Samurai Academy, Matsumura Seito (Orthodox) and Kobayashi-ryu.

By the time it was introduced to the Okinawan public school system in 1901, karate was basically a secret art form that had been handed down from father to son, or by teachers who selectively taught only one or two students. Over time karate evolved from being a highly lethal fighting system (that proved itself again and again) to being a much loved, non-competitive art form that could be credited for simultaneously bringing about great physical and spiritual self improvement as well as effective self-defense skills.

One of the traditional Okinawan karate vehicles for training is kata, which involves a series of practiced defensive and offensive techniques executed against one or more imaginary opponents, using both empty-handed techniques (atemi-waza) and weapons (kobudo). In addition to kata, students engage in light contact sparring, and in-dojo tournaments are held from time to time. Some students opt to compete in local and regional tournaments. By training this way, the student develops hand-eye coordination, self-confidence, and conditions both body and mind...all while learning this effective method of self-defense.