When explaining the difference between Okinawan and Japanese karate to a non-martial artist I will point out that karate developed in Okinawa when it was still (at least technically) a separate kingdom, under the shifting influence of China and Japan. I use this analogy: Saying that karate is originally from Japan is like saying that the hula dance or luau are American traditions. Yes, Hawaii is part of America now, but we would say that those are Hawaiian traditions, not American ones, even if you might find a luau in other parts of the U.S. now. I say that Karate is Japanese in that sense, and it's truly Okinawan--except that we now recognize Japanese styles as well due to how they were modified once brought to Japan.
My question is: How do the Japanese view karate as far as being part of their culture/tradition? They viewed the Ryukyus as part of Japan to a greater extent and for a longer time than the U.S. viewed Hawaii as something that should be part of the U.S., and Japan and the Ryukyus shared a language (the Ryukyuans might disagree with this). Do the Japanese--and I mean non-Okinawans here--think of karate as something they invented, or as something from a foreign culture (like the luau) that they've adopted? Is the Hawaiian analogy I'm using something that would ring false to a knowledgeable (about the history of Hawaii and of Okinawa) Japanese person who is not necessarily a karateka? How does their view of karate contrast with their view of judo in this regard (as Judo is clearly their own art)?
My question is: How do the Japanese view karate as far as being part of their culture/tradition? They viewed the Ryukyus as part of Japan to a greater extent and for a longer time than the U.S. viewed Hawaii as something that should be part of the U.S., and Japan and the Ryukyus shared a language (the Ryukyuans might disagree with this). Do the Japanese--and I mean non-Okinawans here--think of karate as something they invented, or as something from a foreign culture (like the luau) that they've adopted? Is the Hawaiian analogy I'm using something that would ring false to a knowledgeable (about the history of Hawaii and of Okinawa) Japanese person who is not necessarily a karateka? How does their view of karate contrast with their view of judo in this regard (as Judo is clearly their own art)?