Karate Goes Global

15/07/2025 20 min
Karate Goes Global

Listen "Karate Goes Global"

Episode Synopsis

Karate Goes Global traces the remarkable journey of Karate from its secretive origins in Okinawa to becoming a worldwide phenomenon. The episode explores how Gichin Funakoshi and other Okinawan masters brought Karate to mainland Japan in the early 20th century, adapting the art to fit Japanese educational and cultural systems. It details the development of major Karate styles including Shotokan, Goju-Ryu, Wado-Ryu, and Shito-Ryu, each representing different philosophical approaches to martial arts training. The narrative follows Karate's spread to America through post-WWII military connections, its adoption in Europe with scholarly approaches, and its integration into various Asian cultures. The episode examines how Hollywood popularized Karate globally while creating both opportunities and misconceptions, and discusses modern challenges including mixed martial arts competition and digital age innovations.Click here to browse handpicked Amazon finds inspired by this podcast series!https://amzn.to/4iKfAMsThis content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI