The table contains a comparison of
karate
(; ; Okinawan language, Okinawan pronunciation: ) is a martial arts, martial art developed in the Ryukyu Kingdom. It developed from the Okinawan martial arts, indigenous Ryukyuan martial arts (called , "hand"; ''tii'' in Okinawan) under the ...
styles. Some of the distinguishing features are listed, such as
lineage
Lineage may refer to:
Science
* Lineage (anthropology), a group that can demonstrate its common descent from an apical ancestor or a direct line of descent from an ancestor
* Lineage (evolution), a temporal sequence of individuals, populati ...
, general form of
stances, the balance of
hard and soft techniques
In martial arts, the terms hard and soft technique denote how forcefully a defender martial artist counters the force of an attack in armed and unarmed combat. In the East Asian martial arts, the corresponding hard technique and soft technique ter ...
, and the number and names of
kata
''Kata'' is a Japanese word ( 型 or 形) meaning "form". It refers to a detailed choreographed pattern of martial arts movements made to be practised alone. It can also be reviewed within groups and in unison when training. It is practised ...
forms.
Background
The four major karate styles developed in
Japan
Japan ( ja, 日本, or , and formally , ''Nihonkoku'') is an island country in East Asia. It is situated in the northwest Pacific Ocean, and is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan, while extending from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north ...
, especially in
Okinawa
is a prefecture of Japan. Okinawa Prefecture is the southernmost and westernmost prefecture of Japan, has a population of 1,457,162 (as of 2 February 2020) and a geographic area of 2,281 km2 (880 sq mi).
Naha is the capital and largest city ...
are
Shotokan,
Wado-ryu,
Shito-ryu, and
Goju-ryu; many other styles of Karate are derived from these four.
[ Corcoran, John and Farkas, Emil. ''Martial Arts. Traditions, History, People''. Gallery Books, 1983, p. 49.] The first three of these styles find their origins in the Shorin-Ryu style from
Shuri, Okinawa, while Goju-ryu finds its origins in
Naha
is the capital city of Okinawa Prefecture, the southernmost prefecture of Japan. As of 1 June 2019, the city has an estimated population of 317,405 and a population density of 7,939 persons per km2 (20,562 persons per sq. mi.). The total area i ...
. Shuri karate is rather different from Naha karate, drawing on different predecessor influences. Shito-ryu can be regarded as a blend of Shuri and Naha traditions as its kata incorporate both Shuri and Naha kata.
[Clayton, Bruce D. ''Shotokan's Secret, The Hidden Truth Behind Karate's Fighting Origins''. Black Belt Communications LLC, 2004, p. 97 & 153.]
When it comes to individual karate styles; Shotokan involves long, deep stances and powerful long range techniques. Shito-ryu, on the other hand, uses more upright stances and stresses speed rather than power in its long and middle range techniques. Wado-ryu too employs shorter, more natural stances and the style is characterised by the emphasis on body shifting to avoid attacks. Kyokushin, an extremely hard style, involves breaking more often than the other styles and full contact, knockdown sparring as a main part of its training.
[Kara-te Magazine. ''Special Collector's Edition - Kara-te, History, Masters, Traditions, Philosophy''. Blitz Publications, p. 27, 45, 39 & 67.] Goju-ryu places emphasis on Sanchin kata and its rooted Sanchin stance, and it features grappling and close-range techniques.
Comparison of styles
See also
*
Boxing styles and technique
*
Hybrid martial arts
*
Styles of Chinese martial arts
*
Styles of wrestling
The different styles of wrestling may be classified in various ways, such as:
* Loose style wrestling
* Belt wrestling
Styles of wrestling by technique
* :Grappling hold
* Cornish wrestling throws
Historical styles
Important historical styl ...
*
Comparison of kobudō styles
Comparison or comparing is the act of evaluating two or more things by determining the relevant, comparable characteristics of each thing, and then determining which characteristics of each are similar to the other, which are different, and t ...
*
Karate kata—includes comparison of kata performed by style
References
Sources
* ''Karate-do Kyohan'', written by
Gichin Funakoshi
was a japanese martial artist who is regarded as the founder of Shotakan karate, perhaps the most widely known style of karate, and is known as a "father of modern karate". Following the teachings of Anko Itosu and Anko Asato,Funakoshi, Gichi ...
, translated by Tsutomu Oshima (1935).
External links
Karate, Okinawan Kobudo and Kendo Kata videosKarate styles
{{Karate schools
Karate styles
Karate
Style