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Comparison of karate styles

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The table contains a comparison of 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 four major karate styles developed in Japan, especially in Okinawa are Shotokan, Wado-ryū, Shitō-ryū, and Gōjū-ryū; many other styles of Karate are derived from these four.[1] The first three of these styles find their origins in the Shuri-Te and Tomari-Te styles from Okinawa, while Goju-ryu finds its origins in Okinawan Naha-Te. Shito-ryu can be regarded as a blend of Shuri and Naha traditions as its kata incorporate both Shuri and Naha kata.[2]

The formal application within the four most widespread karate styles in mainland Japan are as follows:

  • 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.
  • Goju-ryu places emphasis on Sanchin kata and its rooted Sanchin stance, and it stresses close-range techniques.

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.[3]

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 extremely hard natural Sokogi, Pinan + ura, 33 [3]
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 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[4] 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[5] 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. ^ a b c Clayton, Bruce D. (2004). Shotokan's Secret, The Hidden Truth Behind Karate's Fighting Origins. Black Belt Communications LLC. pp. 97 & 153.
  3. ^ a b "Special Collector's Edition: History, Masters, Traditions, Philosophy". Kara-te. Blitz Publications. pp. 27, 39, 45 & 67.
  4. ^ "Huzun Quan | 虎尊拳". www.taipinginstitute.com. Retrieved 2021-02-27.
  5. ^ "Wado Ryu Kata".

Sources

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