The martial arts of Japan and Okinawa falls into two categories. One is called "koryo" or ancient style. Gendai Budo means modern martial or martial arts created after the meijji restoration.
Karate falls into the Gendai Budo category. Karate origin can be traced as far as back in in the 1300 in Okinawa. However, the word "karate" was not established until 1933, the Okinawan art of karate was recognized as a Japanese martial art by the Japanese Martial Arts Committee known as the "Butoku Kai". Until 1935, "karate" was written as "εζ" (Chinese hand). But in 1935, the masters of the various styles of Okinawan karate conferred to decide a new name for their art. They decided to call their art "karate" written in Japanese characters as "η©Ίζ" (empty hand).
As for karate styles doing business outside Okinawa and Japan that can be found at every street corners, community centers and gyms, these styles were established after world war II. Although, there are few styles that were established during the 1920-30's such as Shorin Ryu, Wado Ryu and Goju Ryu... ( have no fear , more will be added later).
With this fundamental information, YOU as a prospective student in search of a true martial arts from Japan and Okinawa should be extremely wary of schools that lay claims to have 2000-5000 years lineage. Unless they can provide some sort of documentations in form of ancient scroll or writing worthy of a Smithsonian Institute curator wet dreams. The preferred technique of avoidance is to run as fast as you can !
