Karate is a martial art with roots in cultural exchange, necessity, and location. On Okinawa, the indigenous Ryukyuan people had developed an informal fighting system known as "te." After trade relationships opened with the Ming dynasty of China, the martial arts of the two cultures merged. When a policy of banning weapons was put in place by the Okinawan king Sho Shin, an increased focus was placed on these unarmed combat techniques.

There are three early styles that resulted: Shuri-te, Naha-te, and Tomari-Te. These styles were named after the cities where they were developed. Each was influenced by the Chinese martial arts the Ming dynasty traders had brought, given greater emphasis in response to the decree of the King, and developed in major urban centers. They continued to grow as members of the Okinawan upper classes were sent to China to study many disciplines, including martial arts. However, these styles were not called "karate" until they were adapted by Gichin Funakoshi and introduced to mainland Japan.