In 1762 a ship from the Ryukyus landed on the Japanese island Shikoku, introducing the sport to the nation which developed it so much and gave it the name karate, literally, "The Way of the Empty Hand." Karate originated in China, but owes its revitalization in Taiwan to Japan.
一九二二年船越義珍到日本後，空手道開始在日本發達起來。空手道原為防身與健身的武術，船越逐漸將佛門「禪」的理念滲入其中，將唐手道改名為空手道，「空」意謂四大皆空，無慾忘我，形成注重人格修養、為伸張正義不顧自身的武道。