Karate or karate-do is a martial art in the Ryukyu Islands evolved from indigenous fighting methods and Chinese kenp.

It is primarily a striking art using punching, kicking, knee and elbow strikes and open-handed techniques such as knife-hands and ridge-hands. Grappling, locks, restraints, throws, and vital point strikes are taught in some styles.

Karate or Karate-do was first incorporated into the Asian Games in 1994.