Although the exact origins of karate are unclear, its true birthplace is thought to have been in Okinawa, currently an island of Japan. The island's unique location as a crossroads for travel and commerce between the Asian nations allowed the Okinawans to learn a number of different martial art styles and blend them with their own. However, necessity the real reason for the development of karate, as from 1429 to the late 1800s, the islanders were not allowed to own weapons of any kind. The first karate moves were taught and trained in secret and often in the middle of the night. This meant that the practitioners trained in their pyjamas - the predecessor of the modern karate outfit.

Gichin Funakoshi is widely considered the father of modern karate, as he introduced the art to mainland Japan in the 1920s, from where it spread to the rest of the world. Master Funakoshi was proficient in all the major styles of Okinawan karate but he wasn't in it for the kicking. According to its creator, "the ultimate aim of the art of karate lies not in victory or defeat, but in the perfection of the characters of its participants."

The word karate is a combination of two Japanese characters - kara, meaning empty, and te, meaning hand. As you might guess, karate means empty hand. It is divided into three basic aspects - kihon, which covers the basic kicks and throws, kata, which covers perscribed patterns of movement, and kumite, which is sparring.

When you start attending a karate class, you must bring your formal manners. The class leader must be addressed as "Sensei" at all times - calling "Oi, Jimbo!" across the room will bring frowns. Like football, karate isn't just a sport, it's a way of life. Karate precepts include modesty, self-control and courtesy. To truly learn karate, you must avoid anything that will reduce your mental growth and physical health - karate Christmas parties tend to be low-key affairs.

Karate is a defensive, rather than an offensive, art. Karate guidelines state that you should never land the first blow of a real fight, so if you are taking up karate so that you can beat up your brother, keep it under your hat. However, you may find that once you start learning the art that your detractors can be silenced with a narrowing of your eyes and an air-chop.

Starting off with the white belt, you can gradually work your way up the ranks to finally arrive at the coveted black belt. After you start a class, you will probably take a test to move up to the next rank after about four months. But don't get too hung up on rank and file. It is not the attainment of a particular belt or skill but rather the process of learning itself - the Way - that is important. So they say anyway - but don't be ashamed if you are just in it for those crisp, white pyjamas...