Smiley Central ® Says Konnichiwa

Date: 2011.07.27 | Category: Smiley Graphic | Tags: Karate,Sports Smiley

When the temperature outside is so oppressive, it’s time to take your workout indoors. One of the best ways to strengthen and tone your body is the ancient art of karate. Martial arts have been around since the 1300s, but karate as we know it today didn’t fully emerge in Japan until the 1900s. After World War II, American soldiers studied the art of karate in Japan and brought it over to the United States. The first dojo opened in the U.S. in Phoenix, Arizona in 1945. How much do you know about karate? Below are some often-confused terms associated with the sport.

Dojo – The name for a karate school. Dojo is translated literally to mean “place of the way” or “place of enlightenment.”
Shomen – The front of a Dojo. Karate etiquette requires that one bow in the direction of the shomen when entering and exiting the school.
Hanshi – A name given to a karate master or an honorary title given to the highest Black Belt.
Gi -The uniform worn during karate and other martial arts; white pants and a jacket secured with a cloth belt denoting skill level.
Kata -A sequence of movements, both defensive and offensive, performed alone against imaginary opponents.

Whether you’re a karate black belt or just a fan of old Jackie Chan movies, visit Smiley Central to download the latest karate smiley!