The literal translation of the word "Karate" means "Empty Hand". This refers tothe facet that Karate originated as the unarmed self-defense using only hands,feet and body of the practitioner. This system consists of basic techniques thatblock or evade an attack and then counter-striking the opponent by punching,kicking, striking or and combination thereof. Empty handed fighting was broughtto Canto, China during the Liang Dynasty by a Buddhist Monk named Daruma Taisifrom India who originated themeditative  sect of Zen. He introduced this form ofEmpty Handed fighting around  525 A.D. 300 Years ago, the form Empty Hand fighting called "Okinawa-te" underwent development in Okinawa when the Satsuma clan of Kyushu banned all weapons in Okinawa.