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, and number of kata.

The four earliest karate styles developed in Japan are Shotokan, Wado-ryu, Shito-ryu, and Goju-ryu.^[1] The first three 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, a 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.^[4]

Contents

  [hide] 

• 1Comparison
• 2See also
• 3References
• 4Sources
• 5External links

Comparison[edit]

Styles	Origin	Derived From	Balance of hard and soft techniques	Stances	Representative Kata	No. of kata
Chitō-ryū	Okinawa	Shōrei-ryū or Naha-te, Shōrin-ryū	both elements exist but more soft than hard	natural stride (Seisan dachi)	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
Gōjū-ryū	Okinawa	Fujian White Crane, and Naha-te.	both	deep/natural	Sanchin, Tensho, Gekisai Dai, Seipai, Saifa	12
Gosoku-ryū	Japan	Gōjū-ryū, Shotokan	50 percent hard, 50 percent soft techniques	deep (beginner), natural (advanced)	Gosoku, Rikyu, Denko Getsu, Tamashi	46 including weapons kata
Isshin-ryū	Okinawa	Gōjū-ryū, Shōrin-ryū, Kobudō	both, primarily hard	natural	Sunsu	15 including weapons kata
Kyokushin	Japan	Shotokan, Gōjū-ryū	Hardest techniques	natural	Taikyoku, Pinan, Kanku, Sanchin, Tensho, Garyu	23 (+ ura)
Shūkōkai	Japan	Gōjū-ryū & Shitō-ryū	60% hard and 40% soft techniques	natural	Pinan, Bassai Dai, Seienchin, Saifa, Rōhai	44 +
Shindō jinen-ryū	JapanandOkinawa	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	JapanandOkinawa	Shuri-te, and Naha-te	both	deep/natural	Pinan, Bassai Dai, Seienchin, Saifa, Rōhai, Nipaipo	94
Shōrin-ryū	Okinawa	Shuri-te, Tomari-te, Chinese martial arts	both, primarily fast and soft	natural	Fukyu, Pinan, Naihanchi, passai, kanku, seisan	21
Shotokan	JapanandOkinawa	Shōrin-ryū, and Shōrei-ryū	70% hard techniques and 30% soft/ fast techniques	deep (beginner), natural (advanced)	3 Taikyoku, 5 Heian, 3 Tekki, Jion, Kanku Dai, Bassai Dai, Empi, Sochin, etc.	26 + additional
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	JapanandOkinawa	Yoshin-ryu Jujitsu Tomari-te andShotokan	both, primarily soft	mainly natural	Pinan, Kushanku, Seishan, Chintō, Naihanchi, Jion, Wanshu, Jitte and Niseishi[5]	15 (one hidden)
Yōshūkai	JapanandOkinawa	Chitō-ryū	60 percent hard, 40 percent soft techniques	deep (beginner), natural (advanced)	Seisan, Sochin, Tenshin, Bassai (core katas)	18