Daruma Taishi, also known as Bodhidarma, is given credit with starting karate c. 525 A.D. Legend tells us that from india, he crossed the mountains to China in order to spread Buddhism. Daruma practiced a series of physical and mental exercises that were designed to strengthen the body and mind. He taught his students at the monastery forms of physical and mental exercises, showing that the body and soul are inseparable. His student monks soon integrated Daruma's exercises into their spiritual training. Daruma's teachings continued to be developed and refined throughout Asia for generations.

Japan's martial arts role became prominent in 1922 when Gichin Funakoshi visited from Okinawa. Staying in Japan, Funakoshi further systemized and modernized karate. It was around this time that karate came to be translated to mean "empty hand". In 1946, Robert Trias opened the first recognized karate dojo in the United States. In 1948, he organized the United States Karate Association (USKA), which grew to become one of the most prominent karate organizations in the USA for a number of years.

History generally gives credit to China for the foundation of martial arts, Okinawa for the development of karate, and Japan for the systemization of karatedo. The United States is known for bringing styles and techniques together in a number of eclectic ways.