Differances in Japanese and Okinawn Karate Styles

Japanese vs. Okinawan Karate

In part The answer lies outside Karate. To properly understand the difference between Japanese and Okinawan, we must look elsewhere as well as the Arts them selves. We need to look at the history, culture and, traditions of the nation states that gave rise to the art of Karate

Okinawan Karate styles tend to be hard and external. In defense they tend to be circular, and in offense linear. Okinawan karate styles tend to place more emphasis on rigorous physical conditioning than the Japanese styles. Most of the characteristics of Okinawan karate-do appear in the use of fists, toes, elbows, and knife-hands. The development of the art of te accelerated with the subjugation of the Ryukyus in 1609 by the Satsuma clan of Japan. Okinawan karate styles were greatly influnced by Kung-fu. While Japanese styles tend to have longer, more stylistic movements and to be higher commitment. They also tend to be linear in movement, offense, and defense. Both tend to be high commitment, and tend to emphasize kicks and punches, and a strong offense as a good defense.

Karate is tied inexorably to the culture that gave rise to it. Okinawa has historically had cultural, political and military exchanges. One of the more notable exchanges took place in 1392, when 36 families from China settled on Okinawa, most likely bringing with them a knowledge of kung-fu. These fighting methods were adapted and further developed by the Okinawans and came to be known as te (meaning "hand") or to-de (written to mean "Chinese hand" and pronounced kara-te in Japanese). One contributing factor to the development of te as an unarmed fighting art, as a result of a number of successive weapons' bans imposed by domestic and invading rulers between the 15th and

17th centuries. Over time different styles of te developed to suit practitioners with different physical attributes. The Naha-te style focused on strong, heavy techniques, while the Shuri-te style specialized in light, fast techniques. (Note that Naha and Shuri are two towns in Okinawa where the different styles were popular). Two experts of note were Ankoh Azato (1827-1906) and Ankoh Itosu (1832-1915) who practiced Naha-te and Shuti-te respectively. These two experts had a student in common named Gichin Funakoshi (1868-1957) who would become known as the father of Shotokan karate. He combined the principles of both styles in an attempt to create a well balanced style that could be easily learned by all.

In "Karate-do Gaisetsu" Chojun Miyagi Sensei wrote that Karate "was to become an integral part of Okinawan culture." Although Karate was introduced into Japan by several great Okinawan karate masters it developed differently. Fukuchi Sensei (8th Dan Goju Ryu) is reported as having said that "Japanese Karate has evolved in it's own way since it's original introduction to the mainland." The reason given for this is that communication between Okinawa and Japan was restricted after World War II. As a result of World War II, many of the top karate experts were either killed or stopped training. As Japan gradually recovered after the war and formal training resumed, it became apparent that much knowledge had been lost. In 1948 a meeting was held between some of the remaining top karate practitioners in Japan to pool their knowledge and standardize what was being taught. This meeting resulted in the formation of the Japan Karate Association (JKA) in 1949, with Funakoshi as chief instructor.

It should also be noted at this point that although Okinawa is a prefecture of Japan it's history, culture and traditions are very different. Early in it's history Okinawa formed part of the Ryukuyan Kingdom and held a tributary relationship with China; after the Satsuma invasion of 1609 it held a dual relationship with both China and Japan until it was finally annexed by Japan in 1879; and in 1945 it was the Americans turn to rule until 1972 when it was returned to Japanese rule. The legacy of this history of autonomy; invasion and subjugation has left the Okinawans with their own traditions, beliefs and national characteristics, which are quite different from those of Japan. Japan, for example, is a country famous for it's meticulous attention to detail. Everything has it's proper place and time and everything runs according to schedule. This contrast sharply with the attitude of Okinawans whose culture has been described as having easy going interactions,