Bryan

I am no fan of Karate. In my opinion, Karate is probably one of the weaker styles of Martial Arts. I am a black belt in Shaolin Kung Fu - and I believe that the way Karate is taught, the way it is displayed, and the way it is used doesn't seem feasible...

How did Karate get so popular? Do any of you train in Karate? Do any of you disagree with my point of view?

In my opinion Karate got highly popular during the whole "Karate Kid" and Chuck Norris days - and a lot of schools decided to hit on the current fad. Now, it's everywhere, but I see it as the least respected style.

Right?

Tyler

I believe it's definitely popular due to the fad, and even hype if you will, of the 80s. I'd say Hollywood was perhaps the biggest influence with movies such as The Karate Kid and all those other Western Karate-esqe films.

As far as practibility, Karate is far from useless, but that still isn't saying much. When you compare it to other martial arts out there, it falls so short; how many people do you know who are "black belts" in Karate could actually fare decently in a real fight?

I believe Karate to give a false sense of security to it's practitioners, much like those Self-Defence for Women courses. In a real street fight, Karate just doesn't hold up unless you're a real practitioner of the art.

Perhaps the most ironic thing of all is that it's usually Karate people seem to flock to, for self-defence or whatever reason, purposely avoiding traditional boxing, when boxing (or kickboxing) is really the most useful 'art' for people to learn (in my eyes, and only to a certain level, where it's then needed to learn wresting, BJJ, etc.).

Bryan

I'm glad someone else agrees.

The problem with karate that it is so mainstream accepted, that regular joe schmoes don't know the practicality of karate.

It's unfortunate because there are schools out there making a lot of money ripping these people off. A lot of the senseis teaching these schools aren't qualified to teach, and everyone is "americanized".

True Karate (Japanese right?) might play a more important role in the MMA scene, but it seems that right now - its to "touristy" and is a waste of money when compared with "true" martial arts.

kickboxerkid

As a highly ranked Karate martial artist I still agree with your points.

It is a popular hype generated around the "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" movies and the "Chuck Norris" type era of videos. This is the way I see it now after studying other arts.

It's methods ARE feasable, in an ideal world. Let's face it..we're not in an ideal world, so why would someone lunge forward with a kick to your stomach or groin? They wouldn't.

Bryan

I agree. Its all about the media now, and in the last 20 years, the media has seriously blown up karate.

With the growing popularity of MMA and UFC and TUF, everyone is assuming that its just karate. But it isn't, its ... mixed martial arts.

Its a shame that the general public has stereotyped all martial arts as being "karate" or some form of it.

TsuaSai

I think karate is popular because its easy. Not to say that traditional karate is easy. But most place offer some kind of program were you can get a black belt in a year. Now little Jonnys mom wants him to be a black belt like his little soccer buddy. So they send him to the place where this can get done the fastest.

kickboxerkid

That's totally untrue.

A lot of schools are run by organisations such as UKASKO (within the UK). These organisations monitor the activity of the schools and their grading systems closely, and also set timelimits, guidelines and the "curriculum" if you will.

TsuaSai

Maybe some are that way. But I have seen a lot of school that have a "Master Clark Program" in the USA. They whole point of there school is to upgrade students to a higher paying plan. Get them in and out as quick as possible cause I have so many students.

Splinter

I can see where the both of you are coming from. Karate is so commercialized now here in the states that many schools just try to make a quick buck, over charging for everything, ranging from instructors to belts and uniforms.

It's really sad to think about it, but karate has now become obsolete in my opinion. You couldn't go into an MMA match knowing JUST karate. You'd get your beat down so fast and hard.

TsuaSai

It should'nt be that way but it is. I am not speaking for all school, but in the states karate has flooded the market. I know there has to be some good quality teachers out there. But to many people are take a weekend business/karate class and opening a school.