3. Sparring

Basic sparring (kihon kumite) was first introduced into karate in the 1920s by Gichin Funakoshi. It was made possible by the contact of karate with the ethics of Japanese martial arts, which stress mutual trust between opponents. Gradually, basic sparring was developed until free style sparring and finally contest became possible. The modern student, in his own personal development, follows the same path from five- and one-step basic sparring to competition. All forms of sparring begin and end with a standing bow to one's partner.