Karate or karate-dō is a martial art of Okinawan origin. Recent research indicates that it developed from a synthesis of indigenous Ryukyuan fighting methods and southern Chinese martial arts. Karate originally meant Tang hand, i.e. Chinese hand, which later took on the meaning 'empty hand' in Japanese. It is known primarily as a striking art, featuring punching, kicking, knee/elbow strikes and open handed techniques. However, grappling, joint manipulations, locks, restrains, throws and vital point striking are inherent to the art.

In general, modern karate training is divided into three major areas: basics (“kihon” in Japanese), forms ("kata" 型 in Japanese), and sparring ("kumite" 組手 in Japanese).

Basic motion (Kihon) is the study of the fundamental techniques (punching mechanics, footwork, stances) of the art. This is the 'public face' of the art that most people recognize, ie, the familiar basics of stepping and punching.

Kata means 'form' or 'pattern;' however, they are not simply aerobic routines, or dances of some sort. They are patterns of movements and techniques that demonstrate physical/combative principles related to fighting. Kata may be thought of as a collection of fixed sequences of movement that address various types of attack. It is important to remember that they were developed before literacy was commonplace in Okinawa/China, so physical routines were the logical method for preserving a body of this type of information. The moves themselves may have multiple interpretations as self-defense techniques- there is no 'standard right or wrong' way to interpret them, but interpretations may have more or less utility for actual fighting. For example, the same passage of a kata may be interpreted as block/punch/block, or joint strike-lock/punch/throw.

Sparring may be constrained by many rules or it may be free sparring, and in modernity is practiced both as sport and for self-defense training. Sport sparring tends to be one hit "tag" type contact for points. Depending on style or teacher, practical aikido and judo-type takedowns and grappling may be involved alongside the punching and kicking.

Many styles of karate also include specialized conditioning equipment, known in Japanese collectively as "hojo undo." Some of the more common devices are the makiwara, the chi-ishi (a kind of off center free weight), and nigiri game (large jars used for grip strength). Some styles also include instruction in kobudo, or traditional Okinawan weaponry. The two arts are not strictly linked, but they have followed a synergistic course of development. It is important to note that kobudo weapons were never used to drive off Samurai by the Okinawan peasantry (Mark Bishop, "Okinawan Karate")