Comparison of karate styles
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The table contains a comparison of karate styles. Some of the distinguishing features are listed, such as lineage, general form of stances, and number of kata.
The four earliest karate styles developed in Japan are Shotokan, Wado-ryu, Shito-ryu, and Goju-ryu.[1] The first three styles find their origins in the Shorin-Ryu style from Shuri, Okinawa, while Goju-ryu finds its origins in Naha.
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.[2]
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, a hard style, involves breaking more often than the other styles and full contact, knockdown sparring as a main part of its training.[3] Goju-ryu places emphasis on Sanchin kata and its rooted Sanchin stance, and it features grappling and close-range techniques.[4]
Comparison
Origin | Derived From | Balance of hard and soft techniques | Stances | Representative Kata | No. of kata | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Chitō-ryū | Okinawa | Shōrei-ryū or Naha-te, Shōrin-ryū | both elements exist but more soft than hard | natural stride (Seisan dachi) | 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 |
Gōjū-ryū | Okinawa | Fujian White Crane, and Naha-te. | both | deep/natural | Sanchin, Tensho, Gekisai Dai, Seipai, Saifa | 12 |
Gosoku-ryū | Japan | Gōjū-ryū, Shotokan | 50 percent hard, 50 percent soft techniques | deep (beginner), natural (advanced) | Gosoku, Rikyu, Denko Getsu, Tamashi | 46 including weapons kata |
Isshin-ryū | Okinawa | Gōjū-ryū, Shōrin-ryū, Kobudō | both, primarily hard | natural | Sunsu | 15 including weapons kata |
Kyokushin | Japan | Shotokan, Gōjū-ryū | Hardest techniques | deep and natural | Taikyoku, Pinan, Kanku, Sanchin, Tensho, Garyu | 23 (+ ura) |
Shūkōkai | Japan | Gōjū-ryū & Shitō-ryū | 60% hard and 40% soft techniques | natural | Pinan, Bassai Dai, Seienchin, Saifa, Rōhai | 44 + |
Shindō jinen-ryū | Japan and Okinawa | 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 | Japan and Okinawa | Shuri-te, and Naha-te | both | deep/natural | Pinan, Bassai Dai, Seienchin, Saifa, Rōhai, Nipaipo | more than 80 |
Shōrin-ryū | Okinawa | Shuri-te, Tomari-te, Chinese martial arts | both, primarily fast and soft | natural | Fukyu, Pinan, Naihanchi, passai, kanku, seisan | 21 |
Shotokan | Japan and Okinawa | Shōrin-ryū, and Shōrei-ryū | 70% hard techniques and 30% soft/ fast techniques | deep (beginner), natural (advanced) | 3 Taikyoku, 5 Heian, 3 Tekki, Jion, Kanku Dai, Bassai Dai, Empi, Sochin, etc. | 26 + additional |
Shuri-ryū | Okinawa | Shuri-te, Hsing-yi | both | deep/natural | Wunsu, O-Naihanchi, Sanchin | 15 |
Uechi-ryū | Okinawa | Pangai-noon Kung Fu | half hard, half soft | mainly natural | Sanchin, Seisan, Sanseirui | 8 |
Wado-ryū | Japan and Okinawa | Yoshin-ryu Jujitsu Tomari-te and Shotokan | both, primarily soft | mainly natural | Pinan, Kushanku, Seishan, Chintō, Naihanchi, Jion, Wanshu, Jitte and Niseishi[5] | 15 (one hidden) |
Yōshūkai | Japan and Okinawa | Chitō-ryū | 60 percent hard, 40 percent soft techniques | deep (beginner), natural (advanced) | Seisan, Bassai, Yoshu, San Shi Ryu | 18 |
See also
- Comparison of kobudō styles
- Karate kata—includes comparison of kata performed by style
References
- ^ Corcoran, John and Farkas, Emil. Martial Arts. Traditions, History, People. Gallery Books, 1983, p. 49.
- ^ Clayton, Bruce D. Shotokan's Secret, The Hidden Truth Behind Karate's Fighting Origins. Black Belt Communications LLC, 2004, p. 97 & 153.
- ^ Kara-te Magazine. Special Collector's Edition - Kara-te, History, Masters, Traditions, Philosophy. Blitz Publications, p. 27, 45, 39 & 67.
- ^ Clayton, Bruce D. Shotokan's Secret, The Hidden Truth Behind Karate's Fighting Origins. Black Belt Communications LLC, 2004, p. 96 & 97.
- ^ http://www.usawadoryu.com/wado-ryu-kata/
Sources
- Karate-do Kyohan, written by Gichin Funakoshi translated by Tsutomu Oshima