History
Karate grew on Okinawa, then the independent Ryukyu Kingdom, from a local fighting method called "te" (hand) mixed with Chinese boxing brought by trade with Fujian. For centuries it was taught quietly, master to student.
In 1901 Anko Itosu brought karate into Okinawan schools, simplifying the old forms into training for children. In 1922 Gichin Funakoshi demonstrated it in Tokyo and it spread through Japanese universities. In the 1930s the characters were changed from "Chinese hand" (唐手) to "empty hand" (空手). Today the World Karate Federation runs the sport, which debuted at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.