What did Funakoshi change the name of Karate from?

Funakoshi changed the name of Karate from "China Hand," which reflects the historical roots and influences of Chinese martial arts on the development of Karate in Okinawa. The term "China Hand" indicates a connection to the martial practices that were brought to Okinawa from China, highlighting the early influences that shaped what we now know as Karate. By renaming it, Funakoshi aimed to create a distinct identity for the art, emphasizing its development within the Japanese cultural context rather than its Chinese origins.

This change was significant because it marked the transition of Karate from being seen merely as a derivative of Chinese martial arts to a unique form of self-defense and physical discipline that embodies Japanese philosophy and technique.