Speaker Steve Wilson from the Zetsurin Karate Club of Otley

Steve said that the word karate is a combination of two kanji (Chinese characters): kara, meaning empty, and te, meaning hand; thus, karate means empty hand. It originated on the Japanese Okinawa Islands in the 17th century as a fighting system. In 1609 the rulers barred weapons leading to the development of a fighting system using bare hands. Originally it was called tōde which meant Chinese hand. In the 1930’s the name was changed to Karate by Gichin Funakoshi to make it more acceptable to the Japanese who did not agree with the Chinese.

On Okinawa there were 3 prefectures each with its own style of Chinese hand tōde. From these developed Kung-fu, Karate and a type of Japanese wrestling. The sensi master Chōjirō Tani based his style on the biomechanics of physical movements. This involves a lot of hip movement which gives a faster punch style. Instead of using the whole fist when punching use only the 2 knuckles of the index and middle finger. This produces much more force. Steve said that in training he does press ups on these 2 knuckles.

Karate was introduced into the UK by Vernon Bell. In 1949 he became a Judo instructor but in the mid-50s he became interested in Karate and began to travel to Paris to learn the art. In 1957 he became the first Briton to hold a black belt in Karate.

Steve said that Karate offers many benefits both physically as well as emotionally. It is also good for weight management and loss. He emphasised that you don't have to be particularly fit to start learning but will get fitter purely through the exercises the martial art requires.

He explained that there are two main grades - KYU which are the lower grades and start at the white belt which is a beginner and rises through red, orange, yellow, green and brown. Once a member reaches the top of these grades, they start on their Dan which are the higher grades. These start at the first-grade black belt and then onto 2nd etc. Steve’s belt shows 2 red stripes which indicates he is a second Dan. He said it should take 19 years to get to 5th Dan and 40 years to get to 8th Dan. It would be usual to do a pre-Dan before actually taking the Dan test. He said that he thinks of Karate as being more a way of life than a sport.

The Karate club in Otley is called Zetsurin which means matchless. It was founded in 2009 by the Hickman family in Bramhope. They then moved to the Otley Rugby Club but in 2021 moved to their own premises in Manor Square.

Steve said that the three Ks of Karate are Kihon (basics), Kata (forms) and Kumite (sparring). These three components are the fundamental pillars of karate training. He then went on to show various pieces of sparring equipment. See the pictures above.

Finally in a pitch for new members Steve said that the club is open Monday to Thursday and Saturday morning. It currently has 140 members from age 5 to 73. It has a sister club in Meanwood and when members of the club are being examined for their belt grades then 2 judges for the test come from there along with 2 or 3 Otley members.