Comparison of karate styles

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

The four earliest karate styles developed in Japan are Shotokan, Wado-ryu, Shito-ryu, and Goju-ryu; most styles of Karate are derived from these four.[1] The first three of these 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, an extremely 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.

Comparison of styles
Styles Origin Derived From Balance of hard and soft techniques Stances Representative Kata Number of kata References
Chitō-ryū Okinawa Shōrei-ryū or Naha-te, Shōrin-ryū both elements exist but more hard than soft 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
Gensei-ryū Okinawa 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) 7 or 8
Gōjū-ryū Okinawa Fujian White Crane and Naha-te. both deep/natural Sanchin, Tensho, Gekisai Dai/Sho, Seipai, Saifa, Suparinpei 12
Gosoku-ryū Japan Gōjū-ryū, Shotokan both deep (beginner), natural (advanced) Gosoku, Rikyu, Denko Getsu, Tamashi 46 including weapons kata
Isshin-ryū Okinawa Gōjū-ryū, Shōrin-ryū, Kobudō both, fast & hard natural Seisan, Naihanchi, Wansu, Passai, Chinto, Kusanku, Seiunchin, Sanchin, Sunsu 15 including weapons kata
Kyokushin Japan Shotokan, Gōjū-ryū extremely hard natural Sokogi, Pinan + ura, 33 [3]
Shūkōkai Japan Gōjū-ryū & Shitō-ryū 60% hard, 40% soft 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 94 [2]
Shōrin-ryū Okinawa Shuri-te, Tomari-te, Chinese martial arts both, primarily fast & hard natural Fukyu, Pinan, Naihanchi, passai, kanku, seisan 21
Shotokan Japan Shōrin-ryū and Shōrei-ryū 70% hard, 30% soft/fast deep (beginner), longer (advanced) Unsu, 3 Taikyoku, 5 Heian, 3 Tekki, Jion, Kanku Dai, Bassai Dai, Empi, Sochin 26 [2]
Shuri-ryū Okinawa Shuri-te, Hsing-yi both deep/natural Wunsu, O-Naihanchi, Sanchin 15
Uechi-ryū Okinawa Pangai-noon Kung Fu, Naha-te half-hard, half-soft mainly natural Sanchin, Seisan, Sanseirui 8
Wadō-ryū Japan and Okinawa Shindō Yōshin-ryū Jujutsu, Tomari-te and Shotokan both, primarily soft mainly natural Pinan, Kushanku, Seishan, Chintō, Naihanchi, Jion, Wanshu, Jitte and Niseishi[4] 15
Yōshūkai Japan and Okinawa Chitō-ryū 90% hard, 10% soft (similar in hardness to Kyokushin-kai and/or Sabkai Enshin karate) mainly natural Shi Ho Hai, Seisan, Ro Hai Sho, Ro Hai Dai, Niseishi, Bassai, Chinto, Sochin, Tenshin, Sanshiryu, Ryushan, Kusanku, Sanchin 18

See also

References
  1. Corcoran, John and Farkas, Emil. Martial Arts. Traditions, History, People. Gallery Books, 1983, p. 49.
  2. Clayton, Bruce D. Shotokan's Secret, The Hidden Truth Behind Karate's Fighting Origins. Black Belt Communications LLC, 2004, p. 97 & 153.
  3. Kara-te Magazine. Special Collector's Edition - Kara-te, History, Masters, Traditions, Philosophy. Blitz Publications, p. 27, 45, 39 & 67.
  4. "Wado Ryu Kata - USA Wado Ryu".

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