Karate-jitsu (empty hand art) was introduced to Japan in 1917 by Funakoshi Gichin (1869-1957). These same methods Chin Gempi taught the three-jujitsu ronin were called Kempo techniques. Karate consists of two Japanese characters "Kara". This was a new written method, because before 1932, karate was also pronounced "Kara", but meaning "China". The name meant "Chinese’s Hand".
During 1861-1912 the Japanese Meiji Period, Judo and Kendo were brought to Okinawa and was blended with Okinawa-te, later known and renamed to Karate-jitsu (Chinese Hand Art). Funakoshi developed Karate-jitsu and was influenced by his friend Jigoro Kano to change the name to Karate-do. He dropped the term "jistu" in order to stress that the art could be studied as a way of life and not just a means of fighting. In 1933 he changed his art to Karate-do and named his school Shotokan Karate-do.

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