The origins of karate can be traced back through the centuries from modern Japan via Okinawa to China and possibly to India in the fourth and fifth centuries BC. Much of this history is documented, whilst some is embedded in myth and romance. It is generally believed that karate synthesized on Okinawa from the indigenous fighting art of tode and Chinese chuan-fa. Combined together they bore the name Okinawa-te (Okinawa hand). Te evolved into karate-jutsu, translating as the “art of T’ang hand;” referring to the T’ang Dynasty of China.
     The development of karate on Okinawa, as a means of self-defense, received tremendous impetus upon its exposure to Japan. This was due to Gichin Funakoshi who today is recognized as “the father of Japanese karate”. Largely, through Funakoshi’s effort, karate-jutsu further evolved into karate-dô, meaning “the way of the empty hands”.
     Japanese karate stresses three types of practice: kata (solo pre-arranged forms), kihon (basic technique) and kumite (free-fighting). Typically, karate stresses self-control, discipline and self-defense. Many advanced practitioners train to turn their whole body into a weapon. A good illustration of this concept is captured in the saying, “My shutô (knife-hand) a sword, my nukite (spear-hand) a spear and my seiken (fist) a hammer.”

The karate style taught at Yama-ji Dôjô is Seibukan Karate-dô. Seibukan karate came about through the efforts of T. Oishi. Mr. Oishi expanded his knowledge and expertise of traditional Japanese karate through decades of research and inspiration. Adding elements that he felt were deficient or lost from his training, Mr. Oishi brought fruition to this accumulated research forming this unique style. Seibukan Karate is an attempt to restore the ideology and philosophy behind the concept of “all karate is one”.
     Because of this strong base in traditional Japanese Karate, Seibukan Karate finds its foundation in the base kata of Shotokan Karate (although there are some differences in tempo, power transmission, and stepping). However, Seibukan Karate also incorporates kata from Shorin-ryû and Shorei-ryû in addition to the indigenous Seibukan forms (Fukisei-kata). Seibukan Karate also incorporates the practice kobudô (traditional Okinawan weaponry) and toride (seizing hand) into its methodology.
     Toride represents what is generally referred to in Seibukan Karate as “oyo” or "practical application". Toride is translated as “seizing hand” and incorporates the techniques or concepts not apparent or hidden within the moves of empty-hand karate kata.
     Toride–in addition to traditional atemi-waza (striking techniques)–encompasses, nage-waza (throwing techniques), renkoho-waza (restraining techniques), shime-waza (choking techniques), kansetsu-waza (joint locking techniques) and katame-waza (ground work techniques).