Comparison of karate styles

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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.

Contents

Background

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:

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

Styles/SchoolsFounded ByFounded InFounder's Influences Hard and soft techniques Stances Representative Kata Number of kataReferences
Chitō-ryū Tsuyoshi Chitose Kumamoto Shōrei-ryū or Naha-te, Shōrin-ryū both elements exist but more soft than hardnaturalShi Ho Hai, Seisan, Ro Hai Sho, Niseishi, Bassai, Chinto, Sochin, Tenshin, Ro Hai Dai, Sanshiryu, Ryushan, Kusanku, Sanchin15 kata not including kihon and Bo kihon/kata
Genseiryū Seiken Shukumine Tokyo Shuri-te and possibly Tomari-te.both, but mostly softdeep/naturalTen-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.bothdeep/naturalSanchin, Tensho, Gekisai Dai/Sho, Seipai, Saifa, Suparinpei12
Gosoku-ryu Takayuki Kubota Tokyo Gōjū-ryū, Shotokan bothdeep (beginner), natural (advanced)Gosoku, Rikyu, Denko Getsu, Tamashi46 including weapons kata
Isshin-ryū Tatsuo Shimabuku Konbu, Uruma (Okinawa) Gōjū-ryū, Shōrin-ryū, Kobudō both, fast & hardnaturalSeisan, Seiunchin, Naihanchi, Wansu, Chinto, Sanchin, Kusanku, Sunsu15 including weapons kata
Kyokushin Mas Oyama Tokyo Shotokan, Gōjū-ryū Primarily hard but soft defenses are also presentnaturalSokogi, Pinan + ura,33 [3]
Motobu-ryū Motobu Chōki Osaka Shuri-te and Tomari-te bothnaturalNaihanchi (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 bothdeep/naturalShimpa, Taisabaki 1-3, Sunakake no KonMore than 60 counting all kobudo kata
Shitō-ryū Kenwa Mabuni Osaka Shuri-te and Naha-te bothdeep/naturalPinan, Bassai Dai, Seienchin, Saifa, Rōhai, Nipaipo94 [2]
Shōrin-ryū Chōshin Chibana Torihori, Naha (Okinawa) Shuri-te, Tomari-te, Chinese martial arts both, primarily fast & softnaturalFukyu, Pinan, Naihanchi, passai, kanku, seisan21
Shotokan Gichin Funakoshi Tokyo Shōrin-ryū and Shōrei-ryū 70% hard, 30% soft/fastdeep (formal) and naturalTaikyoku 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 Sho27 [2]
Shūkōkai Chōjirō Tani Kobe (Hyōgo) Gōjū-ryū & Shitō-ryū 60% hard, 40% softnaturalPinan, Bassai Dai, Seienchin, Saifa, Rōhai44
Uechi-Ryū Kanbun Uechi Wakayama Huzun Quan kung fu [4] Naha-te half-hard, half-softmainly naturalSanchin, Seisan, Sanseirui8
Wadō-ryū Hironori Ōtsuka Tokyo Shindō Yōshin-ryū Jujutsu, Tomari-te, Shotokan and Motobu-ryū both, primarily softmainly naturalPrimary: Pinan, Kushanku, Naihanchi, Seishan, and Chintō. Secondary: Jion, Wanshu, Jitte, Rohai, Bassai, and Niseishi [5] 15

See also

References

  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. 1 2 "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".

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