Shaolin And Karate

[Kensai]

As I understand it, Shaolin and Karate are very closely linked due to the relations between the Okinawana King and the Chinese fishing ports on the Chinese southern coast.

 

Which Karate style looks like its Shaolin father the most? I am just doing a little research, so any opionions would be helpful.

 

Be Well

 

Train Well

 

 

[Taikudo-ka]

Goju-ryu has a very definite Chinese influence. If you watch the kata, some parts look almost "Tai Chi" like. This style is known to have very strong roots in White Crane Kung Fu.

 

Perhaps some of the other Naha-Te styles like Uechi would display similar traits.

 

Shotokan has some Chinese roots in Shuri-Te, but has become very different in Japan, and is possibly the style least like its Chinese forbears.

 

 

[Kensai]

Thanks.

 

So where does white crane originate from in China, and what are its defining characteristics.

 

 

[Taikudo-ka]

White Crane is a southern style, from Fuzhou province (aka Fukien).

 

The Bubishi contains the complete tale of White Crane origin. Basically, like Wing Chun, it is developed by a women, after watching cranes fight.

 

Many of the early Naha-Te and Goju masters went to Fuzhou to study martial arts. Trade and travel between the RyuKyu Kingdom (Okinawa) and Fuzhou was fairly common, and I believe Tomari contained a substantial population of Chinese, mostly fishermen.

 

The more you study karate history the more Chinese links you will find, particularly to Southern styles. Get a copy of Patrick McCarthy's Bubishi if you are interested in this stuff as it contains answers to all your questions. The introduction includes Patrick's detailed history of karate as well as info on the kung fu styles that have influenced it.

[Taikudo-ka]

Also found this in relation to Uechi-Ryu.

 

"In 1897 an Okinawan named Kanbun Uechi traveled to China to study martial arts and he learnt the tiger and crane style known as Pangai Noon from which he eventually created the style of Uechi Ryu which was named in 1948."

 

Just off a blurb for a video at:

 

http://www.fightingarts.com/estore/catalog_videos01.shtml

[Kensai]

Thanks very much for your help. Much appreciated.

 

Be Well

 

Train Well

 

 

[shuriken_girl]

My style

[Red J]

I would have you look at styles that have "animal influences" in them.