Differences between Okinawan and Japanese Karate

[cheesefrysamurai]

I was wondering what people knew or felt about the differences between Okinwanan Karate.

I previously studied at a dojo that switched from Goju Kai to Okinawan. I do know the Okinwawans tweaked the kata a bit but i dont know much else. Then when I switched to another school where that was strict Okinawan, it appears there are more differences then I knew. Different focus. Anyone have anything to say on the subject.

Thanks

[Spartacus Maximus]

When compared to karate on the Japanese mainland, the okinawan karate schools generally have comparatively higher and shorter stances. Kicking techniques are usually aimed low, no higher than the lower ribs area. Techniques are short and compact, close to the body. This is the shortest and most concise explanation I can give. Another thing to consider is that many differences came about as karate was introduced to Japan and adapted for competition as well as the Japanese mentality of that era.

[RAM18]

http://www.karatebyjesse.com/10-differences-okinawan-karate-japanese-karate/

Also some names where changed too. This can been seen between styles. for example the Pinan katas in Wado Ryu become Hinan katas in Shotokan which is an Okinawan to Japanese translation.

[Wastelander]

In addition to Jesse Enkamp's list, shared by RAM18, I like Ryan Parker's list: http://ryukyuma.blogspot.com/2012/01/old-style-karate-top-12-ways-it-differs.html

These are all general differences between Okinawan karate and Japanese karate. To get more specific to Okinawan Goju vs. Japanese Goju, you would really have to ask a Goju-Ryu person, so I'm not much help, there.

[Harlan]

IMHO: Beware the 'strict' Oki vs Japan categorization.

Japanese = low stance for instance. You can train Oki karate in low stance...for strengthening. Fighting...everybody goes higher.

Some invoke 'Okinawan' karate as the real deal...but you've got empty karate, and 'schoolboy' karate everywhere.

[Montana]

One thing to note about Okinawan karate is this. Some sensei/systems have modified their arts somewhat, to include high kicks, board breaking, etc that are not origional to the Okinawan arts. These are newer additions to satisfy the public that wants or expects these things in their art, and a sensei that wants to keep students will incorporate them into the art just to get/keep students.

I practiced Shorin Ryu for over 30 years and have NEVER kicked above the waist, nor broken a board. Both concepts are totally against the philosophy of the art and (IMO of course) worthless wastes of time and energy that could be spent elsewhere in more useful training.

[sensei8]

The two links supplied by Wastelander and RAM18 do hit the nail quite square!! What Montana speaks towards is true, as well!! Thank you, Wastelander, RAM18, and Montana!!

If you want to find out for yourselves what the differences are, visit Japan and Okinawa to see for yourself. Not an affordable option for many!!

Shindokan is pure Okinawa!! Saitou Sensei [soke] was born and raised in Okinawa; trained in Okinawa-te and Shuri-te. However, Saitou Sensei wanted to go outside of the traditional box, and this included tameshiwara [the art of breaking]. He, and Takahashi Sensei (Dai-Soke) were formidable proponents of tameshiwara; they excelled in it. And, tameshiwara to them was NOT SPORT!! To them, it wasn't a waste of energy or time! Tameshiwara compliments the Makiwara; one couldn't be without the other!! If this was Saitou Sensei's believe, then it was ours as well, being students of Soke and Dai-Soke, naturally.

Shindokan is deeply embedded in the Okinawan terminologies, and while I use a ton of Japanese terms here at KF, more for the familiarity of the terms because I believe they are easier to grasp without having to look on the web for the definition. On the floor, I use, we use, the Okinawan terms, but I/we also use the Japanese terms; this too is Shindokan because this is what Soke wanted, and I doubt that it'll ever change.