Good day Jesse-san. etc. Anko Itosu 4. The stance involves moving your back leg forward, making the back knee to be pushed into the back of the other knee. Okinawan Karate has a lot of high stances. It is mainly used in kata and as a conditioning stance to strengthen glutes, thighs, and hips. Please note that there are slight differences from style to style in terms of stances. Renzoku means to continue. Goju-ryu ()is one of the main traditional style of Okinawan Karate, featuring a combination of hard and soft techniques. Put your heels together, open your toes at about 45 degrees. Got questions? ?. at net, except I know I am getting experience daily by reading such good content. The direct impact of this locality was seen when Kung-Fu became a part of Okinawan martial arts. Horror stories are often heard about some martial arts schools in the How this convention fits into traditional karate training is a key question highlighted by the authors discussion. This contrasting experience has really helped me to get more from my karate. This was a good read. If you look at the old photos of Funakoshi from his books, the kokutsu-dachi you see there is done in some Okinawan styles, to this day. (Read more: Chinkuchi Another Exotic Okinawan Karate Word). By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Each time I pick up something I missed last time. In some Chinese arts, this was done for that reason, but in many cases it was done for grappling applications. I have read this article four times. I can't help but just laugh. by the* sometimes, I almost cry reading, because you explain Okinawan Karate very well, since I have read many many misleading articles on karate from Okinawa. Some visited local Cubs, trained & made friendships. Okinawan Goju Ryu karate had all the components of karate from close hand kicks, punches and attacks, breathing techniques, and open hand saving methods to protect oneself when attacked. Good Article We do everything you say represents Okinawan karate. Master Eiichi Sensei founded this academy. I encourage my students to de-construct the "How" as taught, into the "why" by looking at other karate styles to see how the Japanese style has evolved/morphed into what it is, thereby understanding its history and application. Distribute your body weight equally on both legs. After a two-year stint in Shotokan 14 years ago, I had to quit because all those really low forcing-my-knees-out-at-awkward-angles stances had ruined my knees, and I still can't stand in a Kiba-Dachi or Kokutsu-Dachi without pain (I try it sometimes). This phenomenon, along with tournaments, is the reason why many movements of Japanese Karateare bigger and more simplified than Okinawan Karate movements. In fact, when you closely examine old-school kata, you will see that the bunkaiof the kata movements make much more sense in the close range. I might as well quite kkarate after reading this article and same others which potentially say karate is crap. In Japanese style, the karateka is more focused on the perfection and completion of actions. I only have a few questions about their acceptance towards foreigners. I also love learning the differences in karate. (Related reading: 2 Forgotten (But Deadly) Techniques of Okinawan Karate). A few words on Shotokan. Gomeans hard, refers to closed hand techniques or straight linear attacks,Jumeans soft, refers to open hand techniques and circular movements. This style mainly focuses on direct attacks, so there is a lot of emphasis on the Katas. But in Okinawa, you find them in every corner of the dojo. I mean, just look at the names, Shaolin, Shorin. [1][2] Karate is now primarily a striking art that uses . A great lesson in your extensive comment is that it speaks directly to those who under-rate the Japanese karates without looking to the benefit of your high-level of knowledge & experience. Thank you. Influenced from Shindo yoshin ryu. Wanna know more about karate styles, check out this article: 13 Main Karate Styles and Their Differences. Uechi Ryu is a traditional Okinawan Karate style. Now the hand does stop when the arm is fully extended. Even the picture that you chose to represent Okinawan weapons predominately features eiku. Hope to see future articles like this as I have Black belts in Wado-ryu and Goju-ryu and would love to see articles posted about the foundations of those 2 styles. My branch of Shorin-Ryu does not have any kokutsu-dachi, for example, but other branches do. To say that all are equal is just ludicrous. !I live in Greece.. I found something you wrote very interesting..i have met some people who practise japanese styles of Karate and they are more competitive type of persons and some of them also work as bouncers..i personally don't agree with that,especially when you claim that you are in a spiritual path!.Of course,please don't misunderstand what i'm saying,i'm not generalizing,there are many good guys out there who practise japanese karate,but all of the people i saw in Okinawan karate school are polite and friendly persons,just like the sensei is!.. Sure they're a bit flashy, but "flashy" doesn't necessarily mean ineffective. This language is still used by traditional masters in Okinawa. You cannot build a house on a weak foundation. I did that for ten years until I learned about Okinawan karate. Although I'm biased to Okinawan Karate, I still have much respect to Japanese Karate, and I learn a lot from it as well. After completing the move put your fists back at your waist. Uechi-ryu ()is a traditional style of Okinawan karate. The feet are shoulder width apart, facing forward. wikiHow is a wiki, similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. A hundred years ago on Okinawa, the stances were much shorter in general. Karate 27 Basic Movements Okinawan Karate Every day Karate at Home Ageshio Japan. Karate stances favor stability over mobility. It's all about being better for the $$$. Karate seems to be quite a lot Chinese to me. 2. I trained in Wado-ryu karate for many years, graded to 1st Kyu level in Shotokan, and within the past 7 years have practised and achieved 1st Dan a classical form of Okinawan karate, called Ko-Do Ryu, which incorporates kata and bunkai from Goju-ryu, uechi-ryu,shito-ryu and other Okinawan originated styles. Personally, I try to mix the best of both. I switched over pretty much immediately because it just made more sense and felt right. Awesome experience, we did our own training at the Budokan. I spent time with Kenzo Mabuni, youngest son of Kenwa Mabuni and he explained the origin of, "ouss" which you are correct in stating is not used in Okinawa dojos..Ouss is a derived from the Japanese formal ending you find in many words.originally students would greet their teachers, "Ohio Gozaimasu" and this became shortened to just the ending of "masu" and morphed into "Ouss." Some styles have both, for instance, while others have simply replaced one with the other. And if youve never practiced with weapons, its hard to defend against one. I'm not a Wado Ryu practitioner, or a practitioner of Japanese karate. Shodokan was founded by Higa Seiko, one of the most famous masters of Naha-Te in Okinawa. I just wanted to set the record straight not just give an opinion. Uechi was amongst the very few people who went to China to study Panginoon or kung-fu. My understanding of Shotokan karate is that the Beyond-Shodan syllabus trains more advanced means of striking & of power projection such as the one you speak of. Like one of my Okinawan friends, a 7th dan Shorin-ryu sensei,once told me: Karate is part of our cultural identity. In the 53 years since I started karate training, I have trained with both Okinawan and Japanese instructors, and found both systems to be beneficial and useful. Got your wonderful article on the Internet. Really? Put your front foot in front of you at a 45 angle. As to bunkai. However I am not, nor do I encourage my Students to be a "Stylist". Japanese Karate, on the other hand, is often more focused on the How rather than the Why. Because that was the goal when Karate was introduced to the various universities around Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto in the middle of the 20th century. I will share on this website information related to Karate, Martial Arts, Self-Defense, Health, Spirituality and more! He made it his home. It was named byChoshin Chibana(1885-1969) in 1933, but the system itself is much older. There is a mix of both hard and soft techniques. Great article, I must be more nerdish and also go to Okinawa . that should have said "southern white tiger was one of the styles". Go back to this position(Basic Stance) after every move. Whereas the deep Japanese stance is designed for competition. I am from Belfast but I now live in Manchester. Pete is now passing on all he has learned from Taira Sensei to in excess of 150 students. In Japanese Karate, the concept of kime is super important. Wrong! The stance is very effective and is done for turning, dodging to the side, or when landing from a jump. That's to describe, but to DEFINE is lots more complex. These things are rarely taught in regular Japanese Karate classes. It was fun but I understood that tournament kumite is not the way we fight to defend ourselves. Ok about the term "kime": My opinion about it was for years the combined meaning as "Ki" (Power, Spirit, Energy) and "Me" (meaning something like "pointed"). There are plenty of Shotokan instructors out there who dont accept a dodgy application just because masters in their style demonstrated it. I am join your style but you can give me affiliated oll India in your federation but I will pay affiliated fee. Okinawan styles make great use of the closed hand, and the delivery of the fist centers mainly on the straight thrust method. If you practiced in Shotokan, I would say great article, you are spot on. All that aside, I thoroughly enjoyed the article. 2. The purpose of Okinawan Karate has always been mainly self-defense oriented (the Why). It's the individual who brings the excellence and your comment is ample demonstration. I really enjoyed reading your article. This article has been viewed 15,731 times. But in Okinawan Karate its still being practiced. I especially enjoyed the reading on Tuidi techniques. Enter your email to receive news and updates straight in your mailbox. Hall-of *WE **CHALLENGE YOU! To me the Okinawan lesson is knowing the WHY behind the HOW is what brings one to better training, execution & application of the HOW. Karate is a Japanese Martial Art that originated from the island of Okinawa during the 17 th century and, later spreading to mainland Japan and worldwide. Neko-ashi-dachi is, in my view, both a traditional stance and an evolution of kokutsu-dachi. I have been in huge classes especially the Shiomitsu Sensei's Winter course in Guildford UK. our family was transferred to Okinawa. Partial or total reproduction or republication is strictly forbidden. Hint, it's not in the hands. Recent initiatives by Okinawa Prefecture and martial arts officials stimulate Okinawan karate's recognition domestically and internationally, underline its cultural importance, and support three main arguments why not to change its traditional form: (i) The principle of never changing kata: Okinawan karate's battle-and street-fight-verified kata concepts were honed to lethal efficiency and . Any tips on where to go? P.S. We specialize in teaching *adults* and *families *traditional I also believe that this method is a means to develop more of the isometric strength sought by traditional karate training, AND more importantly mental discipline. Good luck in your life sear sensei oss warm greeting fars karate association . The roots have been traced back as far as ancient persia and egypt. I have trained under an Okinawan 'programme' to green belt (from Martin Rice). So there is no way I for one, or the author for that matter can be expected, to speak to the level of a highly experienced Japanese karateka, here Wado Ryu, such as yourself. After many years training in the Japanese mode, I had the opportunity to train with a couple of Okinawan Instructors, and it The word kime comes from the root kimeru, which literally means to decide or to fix. Kanryo Higaonna, the founder of Goju Ryu, was one of the noblest people of Naha and the pioneer of the Naha-te fighting style. If not, that could be number 12 ! Hai, hai! Shotokan especially JKA emphasizes building the foundation first hence low and long stances, Kyokushin training structure is similar, that's KIHON basics, the actual combat is another story. Utilizing wide stances and linear methods, this form enables students to deliver impressive strikes in a quick and efficient manner using the hands, elbows, knees and feet. All of my Kodo-ryu training was focused on pushing hands & kata (we spent most of our time working on Sanchin, Rokushu and Naihanchi) and their applications (in our school, these were far less about kicking, punching and striking and more to do with grip releases, Chin Na and grappling). Each Okinawan karate style is derived from either a particular karate masters style or a mix of different masters techniques. As you can see, there is quite a variety of stances in Karate. The bigger, longer, lower version that you see in more modern Shotokan, not so much. Okinawan karate form focuses more on making a dignified and noble karateka than a good fighter. What makes it stand out is its elementary karate principles. * If you want your opinion respected then don't promote it as fact. As they progress, more natural stances are employed. When the king prohibited weapons, masters like Kanga Tode and Bushi Matsumura started private training of the empty-handed fighting technique in stealth. (3) For example, I have observed on the matter of punch to a point then freezing or holding the punch, such a convention seems common among Japanese karate practitioners. Paulo. Ancestor schools. It's not hard to describe nature, but try TO DEFINE it. Anyway, keep posting, Jesse. Here is a list of Japanese karate stances: Are this part of curriculum of okinawa karate? So in conclusion before you attempt to explain differences martial arts do a little more research. | Our stances were pretty deep, but we were always told our style was a close-in type of fighting, and there was, and still is, a constant effort to be authentic. Therefore style cannot matter. Do you know the difference between Okinawan Karate &Japanese Karate? Basic Techniques and Terminology in Okinawan Karate Japanese Numbers: 1 - ICHI 6 - ROKU 2 - NI 7 - SHICHI / NANA 3 - SAN 8 - HACHI 4 - SHI / YON 9 - KU 5 - GO 10 - JU Glossary of Terms Age (ah-gey)- rising. ravichander INSTEAD of always 'comparing' the differences, why don't we discuss the similarities?? Kanbun uechi was the founder of uechi ryu karate.