Okinawan Karate vs. Japanese or American Karate?

[karateka15]

I study Okinawan Shorin Ryu Karate and I was wondering what's the difference in other styles of Karate, such as Japanese styles or American styles? I am interested to know your thoughts on Shorin Ryu and which styles is most popular, preferred, or effective.

[Dobie1979]

I also am studying Shorin Ryu. What I've learned and enjoy is the the use of combos. I also like the block and move to get inside of the oppenent. We also have more of a boxer type of stance.

[isshinryu5toforever]

Japanese karate came from Okinawa originally, but is very heavily influenced by Judo and Kendo. The very orderly and rigid manner of practice came from Kendo. Another big difference comes in stances. Japanese Karate focuses on deeper stances than Okinawan Karate.

There are a few other differences between the two, but most of them come in the form of philosophy. Japanese Karate is considered Budo. Budo as a term is difficult to define without going into a lot of Chinese character (Japanese kanji) work. In a direct translation that loses a ton of meaning, budo is martial arts. The word do though, which means path (also a bad translation), has a much deeper meaning. Japanese Budo is a practice, an appreciation of aesthetic.

Okinawan Karate is kempo jutsu. Jutsu is another word that's difficult to describe. Jutsu is considered application. If you hear kendo or kenjutsu, there is a difference between the two, a minor one, but it's all in the kanji used and what meaning they carry. Since we can't capture the essence of the character, to make things easy, we'll use the word application. Okinawan Karate systems were developed as self-defense and fighting systems to be applied in real life. They don't involve the idea of Budo present in Japanese Karate systems.

Budo is a Japanese idea, not an Okinawan one. This is why things like Okinawan Budo don't make a lot of sense to me. Basically, Karate went from Okinawa to Japan, and then adapted to the Japanese culture. The Japanese idea of Budo was applied to Karate, and that's what you have now. I would say modern practice in the United States adheres more to the idea of Japanese Budo than the idea of Okinawan kempo jutsu.

As far as American Karate systems, they're adapted from Okinawan and Japanese systems. I haven't done Ed Parker's American Kempo, but I'm betting it's adapted to a more American mindset and body.

[sensei8]

Japanese karate came from Okinawa originally, but is very heavily influenced by Judo and Kendo. The very orderly and rigid manner of practice came from Kendo. Another big difference comes in stances. Japanese Karate focuses on deeper stances than Okinawan Karate.

There are a few other differences between the two, but most of them come in the form of philosophy. Japanese Karate is considered Budo. Budo as a term is difficult to define without going into a lot of Chinese character (Japanese kanji) work. In a direct translation that loses a ton of meaning, budo is martial arts. The word do though, which means path (also a bad translation), has a much deeper meaning. Japanese Budo is a practice, an appreciation of aesthetic.

Okinawan Karate is kempo jutsu. Jutsu is another word that's difficult to describe. Jutsu is considered application. If you hear kendo or kenjutsu, there is a difference between the two, a minor one, but it's all in the kanji used and what meaning they carry. Since we can't capture the essence of the character, to make things easy, we'll use the word application. Okinawan Karate systems were developed as self-defense and fighting systems to be applied in real life. They don't involve the idea of Budo present in Japanese Karate systems.

Budo is a Japanese idea, not an Okinawan one. This is why things like Okinawan Budo don't make a lot of sense to me. Basically, Karate went from Okinawa to Japan, and then adapted to the Japanese culture. The Japanese idea of Budo was applied to Karate, and that's what you have now. I would say modern practice in the United States adheres more to the idea of Japanese Budo than the idea of Okinawan kempo jutsu.

As far as American Karate systems, they're adapted from Okinawan and Japanese systems. I haven't done Ed Parker's American Kempo, but I'm betting it's adapted to a more American mindset and body.

A very solid post! I couldn't have said it any better...and I didn't!

[isshinryu5toforever]

Thank you!

[sojobo]

Japanese Karate is considered Budo. Budo as a term is difficult to define without going into a lot of Chinese character (Japanese kanji) work. In a direct translation that loses a ton of meaning, budo is martial arts. The word do though, which means path (also a bad translation), has a much deeper meaning. Japanese Budo is a practice, an appreciation of aesthetic.

Okinawan Karate is kempo jutsu. Jutsu is another word that's difficult to describe. Jutsu is considered application. If you hear kendo or kenjutsu, there is a difference between the two, a minor one, but it's all in the kanji used and what meaning they carry. Since we can't capture the essence of the character, to make things easy, we'll use the word application. Okinawan Karate systems were developed as self-defense and fighting systems to be applied in real life. They don't involve the idea of Budo present in Japanese Karate systems.

Budo is a Japanese idea, not an Okinawan one. This is why things like Okinawan Budo don't make a lot of sense to me. Basically, Karate went from Okinawa to Japan, and then adapted to the Japanese culture. The Japanese idea of Budo was applied to Karate, and that's what you have now. I would say modern practice in the United States adheres more to the idea of Japanese Budo than the idea of Okinawan kempo jutsu.

Hello,

I am new here so hope you don't mind me chiming in.

On the subject of "Budo" and how it fits in with Japanese martial arts - this is a very noteworthy article I think:

http://www.budophiladelphia.com/What%20is%20Budo.html

Sometimes the distinction between "Budo" and "Bujutsu" is often too readily made here in the west. It is less black and white in Japan.

Best regards

Sojobo

[Dobie1979]

All great replies... Thanks!

[isshinryu5toforever]

Japanese Karate is considered Budo. Budo as a term is difficult to define without going into a lot of Chinese character (Japanese kanji) work. In a direct translation that loses a ton of meaning, budo is martial arts. The word do though, which means path (also a bad translation), has a much deeper meaning. Japanese Budo is a practice, an appreciation of aesthetic.

Okinawan Karate is kempo jutsu. Jutsu is another word that's difficult to describe. Jutsu is considered application. If you hear kendo or kenjutsu, there is a difference between the two, a minor one, but it's all in the kanji used and what meaning they carry. Since we can't capture the essence of the character, to make things easy, we'll use the word application. Okinawan Karate systems were developed as self-defense and fighting systems to be applied in real life. They don't involve the idea of Budo present in Japanese Karate systems.

Budo is a Japanese idea, not an Okinawan one. This is why things like Okinawan Budo don't make a lot of sense to me. Basically, Karate went from Okinawa to Japan, and then adapted to the Japanese culture. The Japanese idea of Budo was applied to Karate, and that's what you have now. I would say modern practice in the United States adheres more to the idea of Japanese Budo than the idea of Okinawan kempo jutsu.

Hello,

I am new here so hope you don't mind me chiming in.

On the subject of "Budo" and how it fits in with Japanese martial arts - this is a very noteworthy article I think:

http://www.budophiladelphia.com/What%20is%20Budo.html

Sometimes the distinction between "Budo" and "Bujutsu" is often too readily made here in the west. It is less black and white in Japan.

Best regards

Sojobo

That's definitely a good point, but my point was more to the effect that Budo is a Japanese concept that was applied to Okinawan kempo jutsu when it made the jump to the Japanese mainland. The whole idea that "a nail that sticks out is quickly hammered down" by Japanese society. Okinawan kempo jutsu had to adapt to the Japanese idea of Budo to be accepted in Japan. It was too haphazard when it made the jump and needed to be more rigid.

[sojobo]

Hello isshinryu5toforever,

Indeed, I was not trying to suggest that this adaptation did not take place.

Sometimes however, I feel it is wrongly suggested that the Japanese approach to Karate (taking into account its modifications to suit the Japanese society/culture of the time) is in some way less effective as an end result.

Probably, there would always be a want to systemise any martial art in Japan; after all they had been doing it in Jujutsu since the inception of Takenouchi-ryu (from the 1500's) and prior to that in their sword schools.

I have been fortunate enough to train in both Gendai and Koryu schools (the Budo and Bujutsu sides of the same coin as it were) and whist both were systemised - there comes a stage where you have to stand on your own to feet and fight with the system behind you but with your own self doing the work.

Japanese vs Okinawan Karate? - Different means to the same end using the same vehicle perhaps?

Regards

Sojobo

[isshinryu5toforever]

Ah, I see your point. I think you're right. They both lead to a similar end using the same vehicle. The way they get to the end, and what they do when they get there is worth taking a look at though.

Thank you for your insight.