Jesse Enkamp Okinawa Goju-Ryu Karate-Do Kyokai [Sandangi] Renzoku Bunkai. This book covers the ancient history of Okinawan karate and the detailed, in-depth research of events and life stories of pioneers of karate. My experience is in Goju, My Sensei lived in Okinawa for over 12 years, was an uchi deshi for 3 and even taught at the Honbu Dojo, So he has a pretty good idea of how Okinawan karate is taught. But that's the benefit of the blog format. Keep your front leg in front of you, with your foot pointing forward. I really have now a clear picture of Karate History. It was just a matter of adjusting and incorporating a couple of principles. "The techniques are a good solid base to work from. That bamboo isn't really fighting for survival. This amazing book written by master Nagamine gives excellent insights into Shorin-Ryu karate, its history, stances, and katas. I respect the author's piece, especially since the Japanese karates evolved out of the Okinawan karates, to do a little synthesis, liking to the author's "Karate-Tree Piece." As Gene Foster mentioned, there is a general misunderstanding of Japanese Karate, and looks like on part of Jesse's as well. Okinawan karate uses higher stances and practices a bit more mobility moving in various directions to achieve tai sabaki or superior positioning. It's quite recognisable in the Shaolin kung-fu form. Like one of my Okinawan friends, a 7th dan Shorin-ryu sensei,once told me: Karate is part of our cultural identity. But maybe that is because my master learned directly from his master, who came from Okinawa. Keep a distance of maximum one shoulder width between the front and rear legs. Hello I would argue against claims that Shotokan is for mass training rather than individual training. I am a practitioner of Wado Ryu Karate and have been for over 40 years. I started out in japanese karate and thought that was the one and only karate. First there are several styles considered Japanese karate and each of these styles have a uniqueness all their own so some of your information may apply to some of these styles. Influenced from Shindo yoshin ryu. The how you do something, makes the why yoU do it that more evident. Ooura is a Motobu Ryu style Karate sensei. to the extent of changing the kata [eg first waza and bunkai from original pre-japan okinawa [kara]te.. |, What is Kime? Uechi-ryu ()is a traditional style of Okinawan karate. The feet are shoulder width apart, facing forward. I've been a few times in Japan but never practicing karate and never in Okinawa. It is crucial for Karate students to learn proper stances early in their practice as stances are really the foundation of an effective Karate, both in terms of self-defense and biomechanics. What did he mean? How right you are Ian. The propagators of Shotokan [TMU] were more interesting in promoting the principles of traditional karate training, and the benefits in that, than making ninja / defendu, experts. Stances utilized with the Nunchaku were the same as those utilized in karate so, again, the development of the two closely parelled each other . That's all. Because they practice Kobudo the art of handling Karates ancient combat tools. Learning something individually is often helpful when it comes to academics, e.g. Here, Dr. Teule uses tonfa(side-handle baton) to strike the side But I never think could be a good idea to write bout all those differences, and people can undertand theme, so congrats for do it, and I hope be in contact. It was why Okinawan karate was superior to Japanese karate. We all need to have thicker skin for Christ sakes. You can have library of fancy movements in your head, but without the foundation, they are useless. Arigato Jesse Mama-san! It was developed from indigenous fighting methods called te (, literally "hand"; Tii in Okinawan) and Chinese kenp. So when I later started practicing okibawan karate, I already knew how to move, punch and kick, and I didn't have to learn everything from the beginning. The books mentioned below will get you hooked. My Favorite Equipment For Training Karate At Home. Always fun to read your articles. The Okinawan Karate of today has developed over centuries and was not the result of a single founder, as many schools of martial arts have been. Shotokan is known for its direct and efficient linear strikes, strong blocks and . I have always learnt and taught the how over the why as regards to kata. Generally no. Obviously when you use a technique against someone, there is no style, you just make it work. . Imagine that you are hitting another person in the stomach area. Its because young Okinawans needed skill for self-defense more than ever. "Men are rational animals" (Aristotle) is a definition, whereas men have two legs, and so forth, is just the description of men. Because, again, Japanese Karate was heavily influenced by pre-existing martial traditions when it was introduced from Okinawa. The Shuri-di style uses natural stances and promotes light, fast movements. The word "karate" (/krti/; Pronunciation in Japan: [ (listen) kaate] Pronunciation in Okinawan: [ kaati) is a Ryukyu Kingdom-developed martial art. As a karate enthusiast, I always wondered how such a famous martial art developed on an island. And how Okinawans continued to practice their fighting skills in such difficult political times. Kenwa learned both Naha-te and Shuri-te and developed his fighting style. The cross stance is among the most famous karate stances. Sure, the Okinawan tempo can seem slow comparedto the kill-or-be-killed tempo in some Japanese dojos but Iblame it on the tropical heat. A- Many say who there wasnt Kokutsu dachi on traditional karate on fact on traditional kata Kokutsu was replaced by Ne ko ashi dachi. Not to diminish you in any way whatsoever, but reading this gave me the feeling that I had to say something. Please clickherefor a list of Shorin-ryu dojos we offer training at. The level of martial knowledge , i.e. It was fun but I understood that tournament kumite is not the way we fight to defend ourselves. Traditional Okinawa Karate ()* To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. Perfect article!There's only one Okinawan Karate dojo in my town(Uechi Ryu Karate) and you made me wanna begin walking in that path! It's a style created by a Korean (if I'm not mistaken) for tournaments. 4. Place your knees on the floor and rest your buttock on the top of your feet. This Instruction set is meant to help beginners of Okinawan Karate fully grasp the ten basic moves and be able to perform them successfully. As you might understood from reading my name i come from the Netherlands, in my country Shotokan Karate is the most popular style. Gichin Funakoshi (1868-1957). Karate stances favor stability over mobility. You must have both, if you don't know how the why won't matter and if your don't know what you are trying to accomplish it matters little how well you execute your technique. Hi Jesse. Karates heritage is everywhere in Okinawa, and its such a natural part of their culturethat it simplymakes no sense to compete in it. Each art that has been around for a while is a good martial art but it is only as good as the Sensei instructing their students and every style of martial art has good instructors and bad instructors. Hojo Undo (Supplementary Exercises) Sandangi. When you say I think my style is the best style because that is an opinion and there is nothing wrong with having an opinion. However I am not, nor do I encourage my Students to be a "Stylist". If all you judge Karate is as a means to winning a fight, then I'm afraid you miss the point of studying karate. "Learn't is the English, Australian past tense for learn. Our style of Jujutsu stressed Atemi Waza. Sanseiru, 8. There are many sub-styles of Karate. This is the exception not the rule. Shiomitsu Sensei let them know very quickly that it was not a term that was used in a Wado Ryu Dojo. Gary Alexander is an isshinryu practioner that won the first kyokushin tournament in america at madison square garden new york. www.gojuryukenkyukai.com www.kenkyukai.com.au The Okinawa Shotokan Karate Academy in Kent. Thanks for your great article. There is a place for both. You need to experience the "FEELING" not only saying the "TERM".. 3. The high stances of Okinawan Karate feel more natural, and is much easier for westerners to hold - as opposed to the deep karate stances that often feel forced. What raises Shotokan to 'actual' karate is when it is practiced as DO. If you practiced in Shotokan, I would say great article, you are spot on. Pfft. Thank you. And then there's the weapons. Then I could afford one of these gi's one piece at a time GREAT article Jesse! This gearis still being used in Okinawan Karate today. It depends on what skills fit you, and how you want to fight. I like the idea of personal attention from your instructor (sensia ?). Shorin-Ryu, in general, does not have Sanchin-dachi, while Goju-Ryu does, but they do it differently than Uechi-Ryu. Okinawan Karate Styles 1. Would love to see more practitioners of Wado Ryu move over to MMA and demonstrate your strong personal feelings >>> in the Octagon. When we understand our style, we can train it better & use it best. I am going to Tokyo and Okinawa in October. I spent time with Kenzo Mabuni, youngest son of Kenwa Mabuni and he explained the origin of, "ouss" which you are correct in stating is not used in Okinawa dojos..Ouss is a derived from the Japanese formal ending you find in many words.originally students would greet their teachers, "Ohio Gozaimasu" and this became shortened to just the ending of "masu" and morphed into "Ouss." Shaolin is a temple founded by Shorin Ryu in 1933 in China, where Kung-Fu is practiced. It's probably the most well known. They also have tuishou which means push hands in Chinese(Basically a close range training exercise to teach sensitivity if arms ever meet). Maximum vertical compression of the legs adds power by making the hips more stable and energy less disspated to the extremities via vibration, etc. You get to experience all of this with "mass training". at Asato Dojo. Shorin Ryu comes from the word Shaolin of Chinese origin. You got me again. I would love to see you or some one else write this same article but with a more biased lean towards Japanese Karate. This contrasting experience has really helped me to get more from my karate. It's just talk. Thanks for the article Jesse! I agree, both. Techniques feature one knuckle punches, kicks using the big toe, spear hand that symbolically refer to Tigers Teeth and Crane's beak (moves emulating animal fighting techniques). han zenkutsu dachi (half front stance) - As for zenkutsu-dachi, but feet only one shoulder-width apart. Ate (ah-teh)- smash. My understanding of it: "Bring all your energy to one point (in time and space)!". I can't help but just laugh. Kewa Mabuni studied the Okinawan Shuri Ryu Karate in-depth and developed this art form. it's interesting and nicely well said. Another great article Jesse. Let's be honest, if we're comparing Okinawan Karate to Kyokushin, this article is 100% correct. I first learned the 'how' before I learned the 'why'. It was not the case with the original Okinawan Karate. But theres a big difference in their approach. I practice Shotokan, simply because that was the style that most dojo' taught when I started on my journey. That's unfortunate, but a reality. Certain training practices, techniques were changed to suit the traditions of the audience to ensure that the Karate being taught was accepted. Let's discover and explore together the benefits and richness of Karate's Lifestyle - Martial Arts, self-defense, health, spirituality and more! But when it comes to something like the martial arts, individual training can actually be a hindrance. During a seminar with Shiomitsu Sensei from England they started using this term. In the past, Okinawa martial artists did not trust Japanese and would not teach the Japanese bunkai. Shrin-ry (Japanese: ) is an old Okinawan karate style, established as a combination of Shuri-te and Tomari-te styles, along with influence from various Chinese martial arts. 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