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General Knowledge Karate Trivia Quiz

General knowledge questions about karate, generally non-style specific.

A multiple-choice quiz by OohYeah. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
OohYeah

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
159,949

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
840

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Which of the following martial artists are not best known for their association with karate? Hint

Fumio Demura

Gichen Funakoshi

Jigoro Kano

Mas Oyama

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Question 2 of 10

2. The technique 'mae geri keage', can best be translated as? Hint

low front kick

high side kick

side kick

front snapping kick

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Question 3 of 10

3. Karate in its Japanese form, is believed to have originated where? Hint

Edo

Honshu

Kamakura

Okinawa

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Question 4 of 10

4. "Goju" karate means? Hint

stand and fight

Okinawan hand

punch and kick

hard and soft

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Question 5 of 10

5. Although karate is translated as 'empty hand' in modern times, what was its original meaning? Hint

Martial hand

Okinawan hand

Chinese hand

Solitary hand

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Question 6 of 10

6. Which of the following is not a traditional karate weapon? Hint

sai

tonfa

kama

katana

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Question 7 of 10

7. Which is the correct name for the weapon consisting of two hardwood sticks joined by rope? Hint

nunchaku

manrikigusari

numchucks

kusarifundo

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Question 8 of 10

8. What is the best fitting traditional name for the technique known as a roundhouse kick? Hint

ushiro geri

ushiro uke

mawashi uke

mawashi geri

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Question 9 of 10

9. Which of the following kata has a floor plan that only runs side to side? Hint

Saifa

Seiunchin

Bassai Dai

Naihanchin

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Question 10 of 10

10. Which of the following techniques is a traditional karate technique, not better known in other martial art systems? Hint

kansetsu geri

osoto gari

shiho nage

ude garami

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Which of the following martial artists are not best known for their association with karate?

Answer: Jigoro Kano

Jigoro Kano was the founder of Judo, which is different from karate in that its primary techniques are throws and submissions, rather than kicking and punching.

2. The technique 'mae geri keage', can best be translated as?

Answer: front snapping kick

Mae - front, geri - kick, ke age - upwards. Side kicks are known as 'yoko geri'. Other kicks include mawashi geri (roundhouse kick) and ushiro geri (back kick).

3. Karate in its Japanese form, is believed to have originated where?

Answer: Okinawa

Karate is thought to have evolved in Okinawa from martial arts knowledge originating from Chinese immigrants and merchants. From Okinawa, Master Funakoshi took the art to mainland Japan, and from there, the world.

4. "Goju" karate means?

Answer: hard and soft

Go and Ju are each separate Japanese words. 'Go' means hard, rigid, strong. 'Ju' means soft, flexible. The term 'ju' is also common to the sytems of Judo and Jujitsu. Goju karate therefore, uses rigid strength techniques and soft yeilding techniques (depending on the requirements of the situation).

5. Although karate is translated as 'empty hand' in modern times, what was its original meaning?

Answer: Chinese hand

The kanji (Japanese script) was actually changed by Funakoshi to reflect its modern meaning of 'empty hand'. Funakoshi's system of karate (Shotokan) was modernised to assist its export outside of Okinawa, and the use of traditional karate weapons was removed. Hence the modern meaning, empty hand.

6. Which of the following is not a traditional karate weapon?

Answer: katana

The katana was a sword belonging to someone of samurai nobility. It was expressly forbidden for Okinawans to own such weapons. It was this weapons prohibition that actually lead to the development of karate, as a way for peasant farmers to defend themselves against the ruling samurai class.

7. Which is the correct name for the weapon consisting of two hardwood sticks joined by rope?

Answer: nunchaku

It is thought that the nunchaku was originally used the thrash wheat and rice type crops. The rope is sometimes replaed with a chain, which is capable of defending against a bladed weapon, such as a katana. The term 'numchucks' is a common mis-pronunciation of the weapon.

8. What is the best fitting traditional name for the technique known as a roundhouse kick?

Answer: mawashi geri

The term 'mawashi' denotes a circular movement, and can used for circular kicks and punches (mawashi zuki). Of similar structure is the word 'mawate' which means turn around.

9. Which of the following kata has a floor plan that only runs side to side?

Answer: Naihanchin

Naihanchin - "Fights from the horse". Naihanchin is one of the few kata that have no forward or backward steps, and can be practiced with your back against the dojo wall.

10. Which of the following techniques is a traditional karate technique, not better known in other martial art systems?

Answer: kansetsu geri

kansetsu geri - joint kick. Shiho nage (four corners throw) is a technique often associated with Aikido, while osoto gari (leg reap) and ude garami (arm lock) are common to Judo and Jujitsu.

Source: Author OohYeah

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Nightmare before going online.
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