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Comparison of karate styles

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Karate styles)

The table contains a comparison of the different karate styles. Some of the distinguishing features are listed, such as lineage, general form of stances, the balance of hard and soft techniques, and the number and names of kata forms.

Background

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The 4 major karate styles developed in Okinawa are Gōjū-ryū, Shorin-ryu, Uechi-ryu, and Wado-ryū; many other styles of Karate are derived from these four.[1] Shorin-ryu has origins in the Shuri-Te and Tomari-Te styles from Okinawa, which were influenced by Shaolin kung fu from northern China; "Shorin" is the Japanese reading of the name "Shaolin". Gōjū-ryū has origins in Okinawan Naha-Te, which was influenced by southern Chinese martial arts. Uechi-ryu is also derived from southern Chinese styles, as its founder studied in Fujian province. Wado-ryu combines elements of Shorin-ryu with Shindō Yōshin-ryū jujitsu.[2]

The Japan Karate Federation in mainland Japan sanctions four styles: Goju-ryu; Wado-ryu; Shotokan, a version of Shorin-ryu which emphasizes long, deep stances and powerful long range techniques; and Shito-ryu, which draws on both Shorin-ryu and Goju-ryu for its expansive syllabus.[3]

Some later styles of karate have been derived from the four main branches with their own focuses. For example Kyokushin, which is an extremely hard style derived from Shotokan and Gōjū-ryū, involves much more breaking and full contact, knockdown sparring as a main part of training.[4]

Comparison of styles

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Styles/Schools Founded By Founded In Founder's Influences Hard and soft techniques Stances Representative Kata Number of kata References
Chitō-ryū Tsuyoshi Chitose Kumamoto Shōrei-ryū or Naha-te, Shōrin-ryū both elements exist but more soft than hard natural Shi Ho Hai, Seisan, Ro Hai Sho, Niseishi, Bassai, Chinto, Sochin, Tenshin, Ro Hai Dai, Sanshiryu, Ryushan, Kusanku, Sanchin 15 kata not including kihon and Bo kihon/kata
Genseiryū Seiken Shukumine Tokyo Shuri-te and possibly Tomari-te. both, but mostly soft deep/natural Ten-i no Kata, Chi-i no Kata, Jin-i no Kata, Sansai, (Koryu) Naifanchi, (Koryu) Bassai, (Koryu) Kusanku or Koshokun (dai) 64
Gōjū-ryū Chōjun Miyagi Tsuboya, Naha (Okinawa) Fujian White Crane and Naha-te. both deep/natural Sanchin, Tensho, Gekisai Dai/Sho, Seipai, Saifa, Suparinpei 12
Gosoku-ryu Takayuki Kubota Tokyo Gōjū-ryū, Shotokan both deep (beginner), natural (advanced) Gosoku, Rikyu, Denko Getsu, Tamashi 46 including weapons kata
Isshin-ryū Tatsuo Shimabuku Konbu, Uruma (Okinawa) Gōjū-ryū, Shōrin-ryū, Kobudō both, fast & hard natural Seisan, Seiunchin, Naihanchi, Wansu, Chinto, Sanchin, Kusanku, Sunsu 15 including weapons kata
Kyokushin Mas Oyama Tokyo Shotokan, Gōjū-ryū Primarily hard but soft defenses are also present natural Sokogi, Pinan + ura, 33 [4]
Motobu-ryū Motobu Chōki Osaka Shuri-te and Tomari-te both natural Naihanchi (shodan and nidan), Shirokuma, Seisan, Passai, Ufukun, Motode (ichi and ni), Kasshindī (san, yon, go) 11
Shindō jinen-ryū Yasuhiro Konishi Tokyo primarily Shuri-te like Shitō-ryū, but also Naha-te and Tomari-te both deep/natural Shimpa, Taisabaki 1-3, Sunakake no Kon More than 60 counting all kobudo kata
Shitō-ryū Kenwa Mabuni Osaka Shuri-te and Naha-te both deep/natural Pinan, Bassai Dai, Seienchin, Saifa, Rōhai, Nipaipo 94 [2]
Shōrin-ryū (Kobayashi-ryū) Chōshin Chibana Torihori, Naha (Okinawa) Shuri-te, Tomari-te, Chinese martial arts both, primarily fast & soft natural Fukyu, Pinan, Naihanchi, passai, kanku, seisan 21
Shotokan Gichin Funakoshi Tokyo Shōrin-ryū and Shōrei-ryū 70% hard, 30% soft/fast deep (formal) and natural Taikyoku Shodan, 5 Heian, 3 Tekki, Bassai Dai and Sho, Jion, Empi, Kanku Dai and Sho, Hangetsu, Jitte, Gankaku, Sochin, Nijushiho, Chinte, Ji'in, Meikyo, Wankan, Unsu, Gojushiho Dai and Sho 27 [2]
Shūkōkai Chōjirō Tani Kobe (Hyōgo) Gōjū-ryū & Shitō-ryū 60% hard, 40% soft natural Pinan, Bassai Dai, Seienchin, Saifa, Rōhai 44
Uechi-Ryū Kanbun Uechi Wakayama Huzun Quan kung fu[5] Naha-te half-hard, half-soft mainly natural Sanchin, Seisan, Sanseirui 8
Wadō-ryū Hironori Ōtsuka Tokyo Shindō Yōshin-ryū Jujutsu, Tomari-te, Shotokan and Motobu-ryū both, primarily soft mainly natural Primary: Pinan, Kushanku, Naihanchi, Seishan, and Chintō. Secondary: Jion, Wanshu, Jitte, Rohai, Bassai, and Niseishi[6] 15

See also

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References

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  1. ↑ Corcoran, John; Farkas, Emil (1983). Martial Arts. Traditions, History, People. Gallery Books. p. 49.
  2. 1 2 3 Clayton, Bruce D. (2004). Shotokan's Secret, The Hidden Truth Behind Karate's Fighting Origins. Black Belt Communications LLC. pp. 97 & 153.
  3. ↑ "Organization". Japan Karate Federation. Retrieved 19 June 2026.
  4. 1 2 "Special Collector's Edition: History, Masters, Traditions, Philosophy". Kara-te. Blitz Publications. pp. 27, 39, 45 & 67.
  5. ↑ "Huzun Quan | 虎尊拳". www.taipinginstitute.com. Retrieved 2021-02-27.
  6. ↑ "Wado Ryu Kata".

Sources

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  • Karate-do Kyohan, written by Gichin Funakoshi, translated by Tsutomu Oshima (1935).
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