The Different Styles Of Karate

We often talk about "karate" but did you know there are many different styles of karate? In these series of posts, we will go over the main karate styles and give a brief description of each. It's important you get familiar with the karate culture if you want to be a true student of karate, even if you just want to know how to learn karate by yourself.

Various different styles were created during the XXe century. They are all different, in various aspects: strikes, fighting stance, use of weapons, etc.

The most well known official karate styles are Shotokan, Goju-Ryu, Wado-Ryu and Shito-Ryu. But there are many others like Kyokushinkai, Shorin-ryu, Kobudo...

Shotokan is the most widely taught style of karate throughout the world. It was developped from various martial martial arts by Gichin Funakoshi. Shotokan is divided in three parts : Kihon or « foundation », Kumite (combat) and Katas (set of moves).

Shotokan techniques are characterized by wide stances, giving stability and by powerful moves.

The Gojo-ryu style has its origins in the Naha-Te (then Shorei-ryu) of Okinawa and was founded by Chojun Miyagi in 1926. One famous student and master of the style, who did a lot to popularize it, is Gogen Yamaguchi who was nicknamed "the cat".

Strength training and respiratory exercises are two important elements of the style. High stances and palm strike techniques are some of its main characteristics.

Wado-ryu was created in 1939 by Hironori Ohtsuka. Hironori was a master of ju-jitsu when he discovered karate under Gichin Funakoshi.

This style favors flexibility and simplicity. Its stances are higher and its techniques smoother than other styles.

Shito-ryu is a karate style from Okinawa created in 1939 by Kenwa Mabuni. Kenwa was a brillant student of two great masters from the island : Anko Itosu from Shuri-Te and Kanryo Higashionna (or Higaonna) from Naha-Te. This style officialy has 60 katas.

Emphasis is placed on dodging attacks from the opponent. Stances are highly varied: Shiko Dachi, Sanchin Dachi, Neko Ashi Dachi... movements are short, blocking movements are powerful and the styles has a lot of grabbing techniques. Hip movement and positioning is very important in the shito-ryu style.