The story of karate

For younger readers: ages 8 to 11, read aloud if you like. Switch to for teenagers and adults.

1. 1Who were the three masters of Okinawa?Three teachers, three towns, and a young man who sailed to China. · 3 min
2. 2Why did Itosu invent five new kata?Itosu took karate into schools and made it simple enough for everyone to learn. · 3 min
3. 3Why did Funakoshi cross the sea?Gichin Funakoshi showed karate to Tokyo, and karate came away with a uniform, belts and a new name. · 3 min
4. 4What did each founder want?Miyagi, Mabuni, Otsuka and Oyama each built a karate of their own. · 4 min
5. 5Who carried karate round the world?Four instructors sent to Europe, soldiers going home, and a long wait for the Olympics. · 3 min
6. 6Who brought karate to Britain?A judo teacher from Essex learned karate in Paris and brought it home to Ilford. · 4 min

Written from checked sources, listed on the sources page. Pictures are drawn, with computer help, under our direction; none shows a real child. Recorded chapters and words are read by a computer voice; a word not yet recorded uses your device's own voice.