Okinawan vs Japanese Karate: The Differences Explained

[@ArtofOneDojo]

*CORRECTION*: The two Kata compared here, Pinan Shodan and Heian Shodan are not the same Kata. Funakoshi swapped the order of the first two Kata when he changed so Pinan Shodan should be compared with Heian Nidan. I will release a video update to correct this.

[@ralfhtg1056]

I was just about to write exactly about this, when I saw your comment.

[@salvatoreplacidoplumari3840]

@ArtofOneDojo Sensei, thank you that you put just as an example a praticioner of Matsubayashi-Ryu (my styl) for the kata Pinan Shodan- I know, it doesn´t matter, but here in Germany okinawan Karate is not so well represented...we have a growing number of dojos for Shorin -Ryu, but the majority is Kyokushin and Shotokan.

[@ralfhtg1056]

@@salvatoreplacidoplumari3840 Kyokushin is 3rd most practised style. Shotokan is 1 and Goju Ryu is 2nd place.

[@YoukaiSlayer12]

I wish I had noticed you had said something about it sooner before I had posted. Lol😅

[@lars309]

Depending on the history taught. Itosu in fact was the creator of the Pinan Kata's which is actually one big kata, Kusanku. Itosu hand picked Funakoshi because he could read and write also being a 'yes' man not because of any great karate skills. Karate was changed when the Japanese wanted the art from the Okinawans. The kept their hidden secrets / techniques for themselves

[@camiloiribarren1450]

As a Goju Ryu practitioner for over 17 years and recent shodan, I have learned some Shotokan but Goju Okinawan karate is more focused in building the body, small classes and explaining why explanation is always important: Shu-Ha-Ri. A great video

[@martinabreu566]

I started practicing Karate when I was 8 years old (I´m 50 now). I started with Shotokan, then I practiced Shito, and in 1996 I started Goju and Uechi with the same sensei. I went to Okinawa in 1998, 2005, 2011 and 2015.. When I went to Okinawa the first time, the way they used to train in a dojo shocked me. There is no instructor. You go there and you train. Just that. A man approched me, very humble, to correct my katas. He was so nice, smiling. I have no idea he was a 9 dan in Uechi-ryu. He became my sensei. Japanese Karate is more military, very influenced by the way of Bujutsu. They also incorporated Savate kicks to "their" Karate. In Okinawa, Karate is more fluid, there are many styles with chinese martial arts influences. When I trained Uechi in Okinawa it was like I had to start everything again. The roots of Karate ARE in Okinawa. In my journey as a Karate practitioner and student, I also met Masters of esoteric Karate, Masters of "shadow Karate".

[@martinabreu566]

@SS-hm7kc All Karate styles have 3 levels. Renshi (exoteric), Kyoshi (mesoteric) and Hanshi (Esoteric). The Karate that is known in every dojo is only 1/3 of the first level (like the surface of an iceberg). Every Karate styles have those masters, who for the majority doesn't belong to any association or federation. Their mastery level are unreal. It's beyond the physique/technique capacity.

[@AlexGSalvador-cv9ln]

Some things can't be taught, and those can be are usually done on a one-on-one basis. It's probably best to keep it that way : )

[@martinabreu566]

@@AlexGSalvador-cv9ln Absolutely.

[@sully4627]

I read somewhere it being explained as Japanese Karate being "the How it's done" (the technical stuff) while Okinawan Karate was "Why it's done" (the application of it)

[@ArtofOneDojo]

That's a pretty fair summary in many cases.

[@nelsbrown3674]

The problem is that most Okiniwan dojos don't really teach you how to apply it and pretty much can't apply it. Bunkai and yakusoko kumite are NOT application, they are explanation. The only way you learn to really apply fighting techniques is to fight. Any other notion is pure fantasy.

[@ArtofOneDojo]

@@nelsbrown3674 Actually it's fair to say you need both. Bunkai and understanding WHY something is done is the foundation. You need the fighting to actually implement it. If you're just sparring without the foundation then you're just swinging. They are two halves of the same coin.

[@henryposadas3309]

​​​@@nelsbrown3674Bunkai is merely a mnomic way of teaching you body mechanics. It is not fighting. Bunkai means dissassembly not application. It teaches you fundamental techniques that shows how to use structure and leverage as well as Kyusho (body's weak points) and Tuite (Grabbing and Joint manipulation). To get the timing and the feel you practice Kakie (push hand drills), and add supplementary trills to strengthen the muscles needed for the techniques. From there traditionally you try the techniques at gym sparring (not point sparring). Since each person's body is different and each person has a different temperment, that person will personally change the actual application and make it his own. That now becomes his Oyo Bunkai. You then refine it by adjusting your two man drill and your supplementary training. Actually it is no different than learning the basic boxing combination, shadowboxing drilling the timing with the trainer, trying itbout in sparring and then refining your drills as you learn your mistakes and understand how you time it. Btw, Japanese Karate were not really taught actual Bunkai and how it is connected to sparring. They were taught what was allowed to be shown in the public (Omote) and not what the Bunkai actually is (Ura). Since Karate in Japan was already Budo and not Bujutsu, there was no need to learn the actual Bunkai nor learn how it is related to Kakie, Hojo Undo, Kyusho and Tuide and sparring. That is why the Japanese concentrated on form Actually I am puzzled why you think the Okinawans dont know how to use Bunkai nor teach it when in reality it's the Japanese that never really knew what Bunkai was. Have you actually trained in Okinawa? It seems you are refering only to what is shown in public (Omote) like the Japanese.

[@JDivinorumVideo]

Were any of the Shotolan kata made for bunkai and self defense, or are they just a library of moves? Is there any way to learn Ura bunkai without going to Okinawa? I feel like there must be some meaning behind Shotokan kata since many are based on Okinawan kata and Chinese forms.

[@jasoncaine7829]

Thank you times infinity. My first Kajukenbo teacher had a okinawan uechi ryu background that influenced our training but always wondered why it was different than other karate styles. Thank you

[@erikpuckett7052]

I do Kaju also and that must have been a cool mix!

[@jasoncaine7829]

@@erikpuckett7052 ya it was really cool. Incorporating different traditional training methods into bjj and mma training. Modern and traditional together is my favorite

[@mizukarate]

I was trained in a hybrid style of having both Japanese and Okinawan methods. This said my teachers tend to have focused on the Okinawan methods. I feel it is imporant to study Okinawan, Japanese and Chinese methods. Also it is important to understand your own cultures fighting methods.🥋🥋🥋🥋🥋

[@Berengier817]

I have done both Okinawan and Japanese. I prefer Okinawan because I prefer to question

[@PhinTheShoto]

I study Japanese Karate and Okinawa Karate. My Shotokan dojo gives us lots of questions we can interpret than having a standard answer. It's amazing how different dojos can choose to train their students. 😮

[@oskarjohansson5757]

I train kyokushin under Howard Collins and we are allow to ask question on why we do as we do

[@hotpopcorncake]

What you mean by that?

[@carlobella1850]

@@oskarjohansson5757 different in Japan

[@scottramaika604]

Question and answer is the essence of learning. In my experience, American kenpo is approached as a science of motion. Imagine 3, 2-D universal patterns spinning and tilting on 3, 3-D axis with your center of gravity at the intersection of those axis.

[@fourscorpio]

Very informative! As an Okinawan Karate practitioner, I've found that many styles incorporate much of the Japanese influence in training, stances & dojo culture. The easiest way to see the difference is in comparing kata.

[@mituc]

Pinan Shodan from Shorin Ryu is actually Heian Nidan. Pinan Nidan is Heian Shodan from Shotokan. They are reversed. So when comparing Shorin Ryu and Shotokan you should compare Heian shodan with Pinan Nidan.This type of reversal later happened in Shotokan karate with Gojushiho Sho and Gojushiho Dai, depending on the lineage of masters (by example Sensei Kanazawa featured in this video was performing Gojushiho Sho as what we know today as Gojushiho Dai, and viceversa). P.S.: here is Pinan Nidan performed by the great Rika Usami: kzbin.info/www/bejne/np7Tm2yVpsuMY8k

[@ralfhtg1056]

I don't say that Rika Usami would be bad. But her take on that Kata is surely not a good one. She is stuck too deeply in her tournament style, that omitts much of the essential detail on how to execute the techniques and makes me wonder if she actually knows WHY the techniques should be done in a certain way? Her stances are too long and too low. I'd say her take on the Kata is a "Shotokanised" version of Pinan Nidan. Yes, I know she didn't practise Shotokan, she practised Shito Ryu, but mainland Shito Ryu is very similar to Shotokan when it comes to the Shorin Kata. I personally like this version better: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rWbSdXyvhLCEZqM

[@crisalcantara7671]

​@@ralfhtg1056that's the difference you mentioned , tournament kata vs real life applications , 1 is finly tuned to make it more pleasant to look at for the judges and crowds and the other doesn't care on how it looks but the corect application of the techniques

[@YoukaiSlayer12]

Nice summary that covers the notable differences that would be helpful for beginners. One thing I want to note is that in Shotokan Heian Nidan is the parallel to Shorin Ryu’s Pinan Shodan. So not just in name but in order. This inverse occurs in other systems too(believe Shito Ryu & Wado but would have to look again).

[@Cailus3542]

Yup, can confirm as a Wado-ryu practitioner. I was very confused when I trained at a Shotokan dojo once. I was asked to demonstrate Pinan Nidan, only for the person who went before me to do Heian Nidan. Everyone was confused, myself included, when I did Pinan Nidan afterwards. We genuinely had to look up the kata on KZbin to see what the heck was happening. Suffice to say that we all had a good laugh when we realised that they were switched.

[@Kobra18721]

I study isshinryu karate and have a brown belt this was a great video 🙏🏾

[@mojoesixpack]

While Funakoshi tweaked Okinawan karate to make it more acceptable and accessible to Japanese culture, I believe it was Nakayama who made the biggest changes, focusing on training, techniques, and philosophy that led to tournament success as opposed to real self-defense.

[@PierceMichaelChia]

It's Mas Oyama who made real impact. Dutch Kickboxing, Kudo, K-1 etc.

[@HedgeKnight170]

Great video! I took Goju Ryu as a kid and am in my 3rd week of Shorin Ryu… similar but different and they’re both Okinawan! Great all the same though! 🙌🏽

[@ralfhtg1056]

About your Goju Ryu career: was it okinawan Goju Ryu or japanese Goju Ryu? Because there are also differences between these 2. Though I am not sure what these differences are as I am a practitioner of an okinawan Shorin Ryu-ha.

[@HedgeKnight170]

@@ralfhtg1056 my Shihan taught both but he empathized Japanese Goju as the curriculum is better suited to large class sizes like in Shotokan. Tbh it was the 90s in NYC so he taught A LOT of self awareness and defense. I just had my first promotion test and it was a great experience. I love being back in the karate community. As for the current style I have the privilege of learning, it’s Shima-ha Shorin Ryu under Baxter Shihan who studied under Oshiro Shihan in Okinawa and California.

[@ralfhtg1056]

@@HedgeKnight170 What a coincident. Shihan Oshiro is also my sensei! And I have met Sensei Cleve on Okinawa in 2014, 2017 and 2019.

[@dakentaijutsu2010]

Practitioner of Kyokushin here, i wished you had mentioned the Kyokushin katas like any of the pinan sono katas, but anyway it would be great to learn Okinawan Karate, so i could learn the difference between Japanese and Okinawan Karate, all i know is that Okinawan Karate is more on low kicks while Japanese karate they kick higher!

[@crisalcantara7671]

Kyokshin katas are the same as shotokan katas but the names are different.

[@dakentaijutsu2010]

@@crisalcantara7671 not all of them are

[@i-never-look-at-replies-lol]

The B&W clips used in the beginning were all literally the same forms I learned in Chung Do Kwan Tae Kwon Do.

[@Cailus3542]

I love learning new things about karate, even after all these years. I knew that Shotokan prioritised power while Wado-ryu and other Okinawan styles are more about movement, but I never knew the history behind that. Great video!

[@rabukan5842]

Been training/teaching Karate/Jujutsu since the 1970's, Krav Maga in Israel in the 80's and live in Okinawa and mainly teach Goju Ryu these days. I also practice/teach Tai Chi, Qi Gong, Filipino MA and used to teach Wing Chun... I trained with Kanazawa (Shotokan) in Tokyo for 4 years back in the 90's, but prefer Goju Ryu and Tai Chi because of the Chinese roots which I feel is much more geared towards self defense and not sport. I think you did a really good job here giving a cursory explanation of the differences, just as you set out to do. Well done.

[@PhinTheShoto]

A bit of correction when it comes to questioning. It's not so much disrespectful to ask questions to the sensei and it mostly depends on the dojo and the country. Exploring concepts and Bunkai is also part of some dojos focus. Not all Japanese/Shotokan dojos are the same and that should be a bit of a disclaimer in my opinion.

[@ArtofOneDojo]

From my understanding it's also a lot more open now than it used to be.

[@PhinTheShoto]

@@ArtofOneDojo even in Japan like the JKA which was the oldest Karate organisarion in Japan based on Shotokan and even they teach bunkai and explore other concepts. A prime example is the head of the JKA, Tatsuya Naka. We also have the Shotokai (which you covered in The History of Shotokan) and they also cover a lot of application. Again, it's always been dependent on the dojo. What is lacking in one dojo does not affect the rest and vice versa.

[@nelsbrown3674]

@@PhinTheShoto Also, Shotokan is not the only karate style in Japan. There are other styles being taught, like Goju, for example.

[@PhinTheShoto]

@@nelsbrown3674 for sure. Goju-Kai, Kyokushin and even other lesser known styles made in the Mainland has characteristics that makes them unique. But a lot of people tends to characterise Shotokan as THE "Japanese" Karate. Which I don't agree with with the many schools and styles established in the mainland.

[@Christianmartialartist78]

Thank you so much for doing this video. I got my 2nd degree black in Shorin-ryu and am going 1st in UFAF system ( Chuck Norris fighting system) and still practice all of my old kata. The difference are small and vast at the same time I often find myself fighting my muscle memory and be told to be more Korean and less Okinawan in the way I do the strikes and forms. That being said I have been encouraged to show the school the Okinawan styles and Bunkai as they are the root to the current system.

[@MP-db9sw]

Question: does the Chuck Norris system have a lot of grappling?

[@Christianmartialartist78]

Yes it does. They have started having BJJ class add in the last few years.

[@MP-db9sw]

@@Christianmartialartist78 that's very cool. I expected as much really, as Sensei Norris is a black belt in Judo and BJJ. Thanks for the reply. Happy training! 🥋

[@tygdomaster5]

My Sensei, GM Gary Eshleman, inherited an art called Ju-Te-Ryu founded by GM David McGuire in 1975. It is a combination of Yamashita Shorin-Ryu and Kobudo, Ju-Jutsu and Tai-Jutsu. I have been training in Ju-Te-Ryu since 1992. GM Tadashi Yamashita is the head of my martial arts lineage.

[@aquaquad7]

Great analysis of the the difference between the two. 10/10.

[@chadthomas09]

For a more full explanation I highly suggest shotokon's secret it is a great book

[@dougcullins78]

Great video. As a member of the WTSDA, we practice versions of the Pinan forms as Gup (colored belt) students. What you showed is, what we know as Pinan Cho Dan, and Pinan E Dan. Thank you for the great content.

[@Diablokiller999]

Sad Okinawa Karate isn't as wide spread as Shotokan, the school nearby only teaches Kata, no Kumite, no contact, just Kata!

[@Cailus3542]

Oof. That's rough, buddy. Kumité is a lot of fun.

[@Diablokiller999]

​@@Cailus3542 That's why I canceled after a few weeks there. Worst thing was, people actually believed they could use this in self defense. No Bunkai, no Makiwara - more like Yoga with air punching o.O I really want to get into Karate, but I stick to Judo until I find a school teaching full contact stuff. Kyokushin or Goju-Ryu but afaik there's no school in an 1 hour radius that teaches it :(

[@MarineA109]

I'm in Shotokan. We spar, kata, and do other self defense practice. Guess it just depends on your Dojo and instructors.

[@Diablokiller999]

@@MarineA109 absolutely, just don't know how anyone could sell THAT as self defense...

[@dakentaijutsu2010]

Any idea what style the karate dojo is near you?

[@bw5020]

You've been pumping out bangers lately. You're definitely in your bag in 2024. I see you 🙌🏾

[@Gojukid]

Good video. Next talk more about the Americanized Karate styles

[@TheSilence1]

The majority of his channel is about American Karate styles.

[@timothymcghee2]

Water it down so you can win a trophy 🏆 cause Americans today don't have the patience for kata and self defense Americans karate

[@Gojukid]

@timothymcghee2 I disagree I study American goju and there is heavy emphasis on kata and kihon at my school

[@crisalcantara7671]

​@@timothymcghee2aka 99 mc dojos

[@crisalcantara7671]

​@@Gojukidthen it's only you , the whole usa id full ofc dojos , just because your dojo is traditional doesn't exclude the fact that usa is a joke

[@Noncenx]

You hit on the major differences. One thing a lot of people gloss over is Karate in Japan changed to be more acceptable in the University setting. More physical training, which is the reason for the lower stances, more dynamic movement. And in turn, create a 'tournament' style of Karate for the masses to increase its popularity. As you get more deeper into the "hard" styles, you start seeing the "softer" techniques that are said to be more Okinawan. And vice versa. Enjoyed the video.

[@karatewithdanny]

Thank you for using a part of my clip!

[@marshallcheung2731]

Jeff Speakman began with Gōjū-ryū karate and earned a black belt before going over to Kenpo. Mas Oyama began learning martial arts when he was 9 from a farmer who taught him Chinese martial arts. The farmer gave him a seed to plant; when it sprouted, he was to jump over it one hundred times every day. As the seed grew and became a plant, Oyama was able to jump between walls back and forth easily. At age 15, he went to Japan with his older brother who joined the Army. In college, Oyama studied karate with the son of Shotokan founder Gichin Funakoshi. Later on, he learned Goju from a student of Chojun Miyagi. During this time he also went around Tokyo getting in fights with the U.S. Military Police. What fascinated me about Oyama was his fighting against bulls and knocking them unconscious with his bare hands! He wrote about it in his book, "This is Karate." He battled 52 bulls over his lifetime, cutting off the horns of several and killing three instantly with one strike. His books have photos of him and the bull. The Okinawan karate masters studied in China. I think it was Funakoshi who wanted karate to be adapted for teaching physical education in the Japanese public schools and he downplayed the Chinese origins. The Koreans who adopted Shotokan (and the katas) similarly downplayed the Japanese influence by saying Taekwondo was indigenous. Apparently, the Koreans added some extra kicks. Lee Won Kuk was a direct student of Funakoshi; he founded Chung Do Kwan. He creating his own style known as Tang Soo Do Chung Do Kwan style, which became Taekwondo as of 1955. Choi Hong-hi was a second-generation black belt under Lee Won Kuk (through Duk Sung Son).

[@FrankieBlueEyes]

Very informative! Thanks for the video!

[@paradoxpaladin]

Okinawans at the time looked at Funikoshi as a collaborator. In fact he didn't learn quite everything from Okinawan Karate. Which is why most of their blocking is "single boned". Just as other styles influenced by Shotokan, also "block wrong". The Kwangs that led to Taekwondo & Tangsoodo/Subaekdo are good examples of this.

[@crisalcantara7671]

What's a kwang😮?

[@JacksonQuest]

Shorinryu here, loved the video

[@johnreidy2804]

This is an excellent presentation. It was well thought out and spot on

[@hotpopcorncake]

Thanks for making this video since i'm Kyokushin dude that looks up both the style what they all about. Since I did a bit of shito ryu and shotokan back in the days but didn't get in depth with them. But I think Okinawan is bad ass and Japanese as well too. the Term Ous from what I heard it came from the Japanese navy or Army Oyama applied to Kyokushin. Also I heard it from saying Goodmorning in Japanese theory too.

[@crisalcantara7671]

Shihan Oyama was in the army round ww2 if i can remember 🤔

[@hotpopcorncake]

@@crisalcantara7671 Yes, I think he created it the term. Since japanese and Okiniawan school don't use that term in there schools. We applied the term as a "Yes sir/train with your heart/ etc ,also it had other weird meaning I read in books"

[@hotpopcorncake]

@@crisalcantara7671 He was a pilot machinic in the japanese army I belive.

[@hotpopcorncake]

@@crisalcantara7671 I also been in south Asia for for 9yr learning different kickboxing styles like Yaw yan, Khmer kun/bokato, Muay Thai, viet kickboxing, Leth wei, Moro FMA ,Voco truyen ect. This is why when people ask me for my Background I just say "Kickboxing Yes" in Terms tons of kickboxing style. Like I completely nerd out. I got a Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do in 3 years. I've noticed that some schools don't teach traditional Tae Kwon Do sweeps.

[@mrgsudo]

I believed that the main difference not presented in this video is the heavy influence of Japanese Buditsu concepts in Karate. Sokon Matsumura, one of the most important Okinawan Karate masters already had introduced some Japanese jujitsu concepts on his karate as he also was a master of the Jigen-ryu school of kenjutsu, but once Karate reached Japan most of the first Japanese karatekas was also black belts in other martial arts, like Judo, Kenjutsu, Kendo and Bojutsu and the Japanese philosophy of those schools influenced the Okinawan art. The distance management that made Shotokan karate famous even in MMA came from Kenjutsu.

[@jamesbigga8843]

I trained in shorin ryu shidokan (Miyahira sensei, Shiroma Sensei Guam) since 82 to 2004. living in California, I recently joined Shotokan (will start in a few days). I never heard of Kime until researching about shotokan. CHinkuchi is like running a stop sign and hitting a car with little breaking (tension) at the end, going through and crushing the other car. If I'm understanding this correctly, kime is hitting the break (tension/contraction) right before impacting the car. lastly, osu was never used in the Okinawan dojo I trained in. rather we say, Hai. (yes).

[@djjeandell9343]

Great video! Very informative & I also teach this in my school to my students & compare the two so that way they are better informed. Keep up the good work sir!

[@sophiesong447]

The Pinan Shodan that you show here should actually be compared with Heian Nidan, NOT Heian Shodan. Funakoshi also changed the order of the katas of the first two in the Pinan series when he renamed them into the Heians, so that Pinan Nidan came first and Pinan Shodan came after Pinan Nidan - except in Shotokan, Heian Shodan is Pinan Nidan and Heian Nidan is Pinan Shodan.

[@Cailus3542]

And thus many generations would be very confused, thinking "hang on a minute, that's Shodan, not Nidan...what the heck?" Always good for a laugh.

[@martindeviantxiii]

Great vid, well explained-although I thought it was Karo for the slang for chinese not Kara (I'm probably wrong as usual). I trained in hokutoryu jūjutsu half a life ago under Sōke Niiniketo, never realised how much he'd brought Okinawan karate into the form. High stance, narrow profile, similar kicks and punches with a focus on irimi. Ouss (finnish spelling, with respect) Amituofo 🙏

[@Aramis75]

So yeah, I learned from my sensei the hard way not to use "OSS" in Okinawa when I was practicing there. Good times. Lol. 😉👍

[@oskarjohansson5757]

Good video as always

[@maximumjesus]

I got my black belt in Kosho Ryu Kempo and then much more recently I got my black belt in tang soo do. Both of those styles have the 5 Pinon forms but they are different in both styles. In tang soo do, all of the blocks in the form are strait forward traditional blocks. In Kosho, all of the blocks in the form are more circular because they are acually supposed to be paries instead of blocks.

[@iforgotitlol]

Hello, your video was very simplified. You only talked about Shotokan and did not talk about Shito-ryu and Goju-ryu in Japan because they are very close to Okinawan karate and they use high and short stances most cases

[@ArtofOneDojo]

Yes, I agree it was simplified because it can get very complicated. Shito Ryu and Goju Ryu are Okinawan arts that have Japanese versions, but that's a little bit different than an art like Shotokan, which is more than just a "Japanese" version of Shorin Ryu. There were changes made to fit the culture. Shotokan, Wado Ryu, Kyokushin...there are enough differences in them when compared to Okinawan Karate.

[@henryposadas3309]

Lowering AND widening the stances does not actually generate more power. It actually lessens and locks the hips when punching. You can still SIT on your punch even if it wasnt as low as Shotokan does it.

[@cmdrgunslinger5955]

TKD also uses those 2 forms with different names. They are both yellow belt forms.

[@crisalcantara7671]

I still don't know who started first with katas ,korea or karate 🤔, like you said , taeguk 1,2,3 are similar to beginner katas , but who created the form🤔

[@kiaikarate5387]

I have done both Japanese & Okinawa as well… primarily I am Kenpo & Korean karate but great great video

[@oldtimeoutlaw]

Thank you for this informative vid. I’m definitely sold now on Okinawan Karate. Thank you for this vid. Peace

[@douglaskurtz8357]

I knew it was going to be "oss" funny that I first learned it in a Shorin Ryu dojo...

[@gamalcastile]

Shotokan body mechanics and precision coupled with Shorin ryu application, close-in fighting, and whippier techniques over exaggerated techniques is the best of both worlds.

[@MartinJutras]

Very nice video! Great quality, thank you.

[@samn4718]

Great video!

[@zvikomboreromugwenjedzi1052]

I think you shouldve compared heian nidan Vs pinan Shodan to illustrate the similarities and differences

[@mizukarate]

I used Osu by misstake in an Aikido Dojo. I was given the stink eye.😂😂😂😂

[@crisalcantara7671]

Most other styles don't like kyokushin so be carfull

[@mizukarate]

@@crisalcantara7671 Im a Goju guy but your right.....people dislike it

[@crisalcantara7671]

@@mizukarate we know why they don't like it but i was thinking that's also the reason it's not so populaire in usa 🥲q1

[@edgardo9003]

If it is in Kudo, they still accept the word "Osu" (Kudo's founder is a former Kyokushin practicioner).

[@mizukarate]

@@edgardo9003 It was actually ok when I went to karate class. Anyway I find if you grunt Osu at a Japanese person when working hard or doing something manly they like it. Much like Hazar or Ho in other cultures.

[@kiaikarate5387]

As always- great video

[@78a67h]

And to add the same style may be taught quite differently under different Federations and even Dojos of the same Federation. "Oss" is nearly a dirty word, very arrogant and totally inappropriate in a traditional Martial Arts environment. Suffice it to say that major Karate styles like Wado Ryu completely ban it.

[@kresimirsijerak6260]

Hard-soft, long-short, long round-short round movement, straight and round in it, and everything in between. It is called karate and in the end it is just expresion of an individual👍

[@crisalcantara7671]

True

[@rcnal22]

Osu Sensei, I believe the clip you showed of the shito ryo is pinan niidan, not shodan. I did Kyokushin and now doing shotokan, and they use the same names and moves except of course heian and pinan.

[@crisalcantara7671]

Why'd you leave kyokushin ?was the style to hard for you or was it mc dojo from usa ? 😂

[@hotpopcorncake]

Okinawan is the blue print of karate, Japan karate is a bit more advance with the footwork and high kick/ ranges in fighting I can't decide which one to like more. i do Kyokskin its basically in my opinion Okiwinan kickboxing that keep evolving the more you practice.

[@PhinTheShoto]

If you are able to, you can do both! Depends on your budget and location if an Okinawan dojo is nearby

[@hotpopcorncake]

@@PhinTheShoto There is one around where I live. But I'm not sure the budget and my time. Plus I use to live in Vietnam for 8 yr and traveled learning different style of kickboxing and I know other various arts under my belt, aside being 49yr. it's been a crazy journey. I been curious how is Okinwan karate in depth is. I want to learn Machida karate but that karate is adjusted to MMA it's not sport karate.

[@PhinTheShoto]

@@hotpopcorncake that's more than fair! If you're an experienced Karateka, I can also highly suggest taking up online Karate lessons. They're there to teach you how the style works, but are not a substitute for a real class. And to help give you something to think about if you want to improve your martial arts. Machida Shotokan Karate has an online dojo and they do belt promotions there too! A lot of it is very kickboxing oriented and the more grappling and MMA aspects are more reserved for the black belts of the school or if you're a black belt in general. (I train there often) As for Okinawan Karate, absolutely try it out when you have the time. I do Goju-Ryu as crosstraining in a proper dojo and a lot of what they teach differs from what I do in Shotokan. I even pick up some online Goju content for further training. It's good to try something new. All martial arts are different and learning from each other is the best way to improve yourself. If you're in it to learn it, use whatever resources are available in your spare time! 😃 Wishing you all the best!

[@MustardSkaven]

It needs to become more practical to stay alive. I did Indonesian gung fu and medieval Japanese martial arts. Neither of them make you a capable fighter IRL. They need to catch up to MT, kickboxing and just even traditional English boxing. The late 20th century introduction to Eastern martial arts made these arts popular cause movies were saying it would make them great at fights IRL. I remember as a small child wanting to do whatever Bruce Lee did cause it made him a fighting machine. Although my gung fu training gave me the physical training I needed to win my first "street fight", the opponent was someone who had never fought a day in his life. If you put these traditional arts against combat sports, they lose 9.9/10. In every street fight after that, I purely relied on my Muay Thai and BJJ training. The wrist locks from gung fu, too situational. The flashy high kicks, not practical in a street fight. Great for point fighting but not knocking the other guy out so you get to live. Cause that is what modern street fights have degraded to. You knock the other guy out or he knocks you out and 5 guys stomp on your head and you die or become a vegetable.

[@hotpopcorncake]

@@MustardSkaven What the hell is Indonesian gung fu and medieval Japanese martial arts? Do you mean silat., Medieval japanese martial arts I never heard of it. Is that kendo, if so that a weapon base martial art. that wouldn't work.. But anyways karate is affective in the ring and in the streets. I don't know aht you trying to say.

[@thunderkatz4219]

Nice I do Okinawan kenpo as my main and other styles like boxing and grappling

[@elcaddor]

Can you keep your karate black belt if you change style/school ? Based on your experience what are the key issues you face and value added to your karate by practicing another style/ school ?

[@ArtofOneDojo]

This really depends on a school by school basis. If the styles are similar, talk to the instructor, they may let you keep it. Sometimes some school will like you keep your previous rank but you are frozen and have to catch up by going back and learning their curriculum. Some styles are just too different and you should start over. If you are ever in doubt, take a white belt to the new school until you have a chance to talk with the instructor about it.

[@cunjoz]

so, what you're effectively saying is the principles of Okinawan karate make so much more sense as a martial art.

[@MessianicDiscipling]

Amazing video....now where is my Gi??!

[@steinozeankrieger4215]

I probably won’t get a response but Penchak Silat vs Silat Melayu what is the difference and history

[@ruiseartalcorn]

Great stuff! :)

[@Barcodum]

So, is Kyukoshinkai (apologies if I’ve misspelled that) a Japanese or Okinawan Karate?

[@ArtofOneDojo]

Kyokushin is a little bit of a different beast. It's a mixture of influences. Mas Oyama was born in Korea but moved to Japan where he lived most of his life. He had training in Chinese Martial Arts, Shotokan Karate, and Goju Ryu. So there's Chinese, Japanese, and Okinawan influences right there. Kyokushin's curriculum is built on Shotokan and Goju Ryu put together, with what seems like some Korean kicking and possibly Muay Thai? They have that chopping power kick that you don't typically see in other Karate systems. The stances and style of fighting are completely different too. Close range, powerful, pummeling fighting. So Kyokushin is technically a Japanese art because that is where it was founded and established, however, it really is a mixture of a lot of influences that makes it stand out a bit more than other Karate styles.

[@Qtip855]

Japanese Karate Kata interpretations are based on their love of fencing ie Ken jutsu ,iajutsu, etc.

[@francoisjose5221]

there is a mistake, if we want to compare Heian Shodan (shotokan) with an identical kata from okinawa (shorin), we must compare it with Pinan Nidan. Sensei Funakoshi reversed the katas. The Pinan 1 2 3 4 5 are the Heian 2 1 3 4 5.

[@ArtofOneDojo]

Yes, I realized this after releasing the episode. I have a pinned comment on the top to try to catch this.

[@diosdadoapias]

you can see in the background video how they spar in the old days of karate: no gloves, and body protectors. surely no shin protectors. These are contributory factors to the quality of training before as compared now. Their kind of sparring is simulating actual fight in the street except that there is a referee to stop the fight -sparring when the it goes too close and ugly.

[@colourfastt]

That was my dojo in the 80s. There was rarely a promotion when someone didn't end up in the ER afterwards.

[@aurelienhenryobama5434]

Excellent 🎉🎉🎉

[@jeffreyperez2178]

10:30 In Okinawa I attend a Shinkyokyushin Dojo and Osu is used daily

[@henryposadas3309]

Just wondering why the script used in this video is practically the same as the one used in Jessie Encamps Karate Nerd channel? Sure the subject comparing Okinawan and Japanese Karate will naturally point out the same differences but the sequencing is almost the same. Is it coincidence or did both videos use the same source material?

[@ArtofOneDojo]

I can't speak for Jesse and his sources, but my general process is when I'm doing history topics I look at Wikipedia first, just to get a general idea of structure and topics I need to research. I'll write a bullet pointed outline of ideas and break them up into chapters. I then go and search official organization websites, read their histories and take note of all commonalities. I'll look at other academic sources, and I'll talk to those in the art for their information. I then take all of that and I sit down and write a script in my own words and then I'll usually present it to others in those arts for approval. I don't know how Jesse writes his scripts, but we definitely didn't share a script on this one. Perhaps we had similar outlines in terms of how to break down the approach.

[@vasylcothurnatus1284]

Every types and styles of Karate those work in a real life fight are good. The good Karate is a MARTIAL not a sport art.

[@highpriestofseti]

Okinawa Karate is based on White Crane Gung Fu.

[@ramonlijauco7563]

Has anyone ever noticed the similarity in stances between Shotokan and the Hung styles ?

[@samuraiking4525]

You should do one on Korean vs Japanese

[@ArtofOneDojo]

It's not a terrible idea, I will consider this :)

[@robinruiz7720]

It would be great to watch a video about Hayashi Ha Shitō Ryū Karate along with the history of the art.

[@juanjaimes3358]

You didn’t make the correct comparison Heian Shodan is Pinan Nidan in Okinawan karate

[@ArtofOneDojo]

What did I get wrong? It was Pinan Shodan first in Okinawan and then later renamed Heian Shodan in Japan. I'm not sure what you're debating.

[@PhinTheShoto]

@@ArtofOneDojo Funakoshi rearranged Pinan Shodan to be Heian NIDAN. He made the first Shorin-Ryu kata as the second one for Shotokan. Pinan Shodan = Heian Nidan Heian Shodan = Pinan Nidan

[@rasmuspoulsen8675]

Hey ArtofOneDojo, Shotokan practitioner here, the above mentioned comment is correct, they are reversed

[@officialblkreign9330]

@@ArtofOneDojo He's right Funakoshi rearranged the first two kata.

[@ArtofOneDojo]

Thank you for bringing this to my attention. This was an oversight on my part, I apologize. Good catch. I will make a pinned comment and then I'll release an quick video update in the next day or two.

[@malcolmhines4214]

Very good!

[@themadmallard]

never seen such a crazy debate like what surrounds 'osu'. both in how its said, what it means, and how its used. Especially strange are the non japanese people who somehow got it in their heads that not saying it is automatically disrespectful.

[@martykeaton182]

Any chance you might look at the Power Ranger karate videos?

[@GothamKnight84661]

You mean the ones Jason David Frank made in 94/96? The kata's are made up by Hanshi Jason David Frank they aren't part of the Toso Kune Do system but the techniques are part of the Toso Kune Do curriculum.

[@martykeaton182]

@@GothamKnight84661 Made up? He trained his students well.

[@hotpopcorncake]

@@GothamKnight84661 What he made a power ranger style? BTW Rip to Jason David and Trini Kwan, Even tho Trini's last name didn't sound vietnamese. Sorry her name is Thuy Trang

[@Yurimartins97]

Thank you!

[@cruzeal9334]

Shotokan all the way cus im a ryu player 😂😂😂

[@lonestarcj8132]

At 1:30 What is that stance? I'm a beginner and haven't seen that yet.

[@ArtofOneDojo]

If I'm not mistaken it looks like a Neko-ashi-dachi, or a type of cat stance.

[@arsakellariadis]

Please do Tang Soo Do. I love your videos.

[@lovefunbeer]

0:44 Damn the way they took over the word Indigenous...

[@massinissastoutah7621]

Pinnan Chodan should be compared to Heian "Nidan" not Shodan, so you can really see the differences and similarities

[@MartinJutras]

Okinawan Karate! 🤟

[@MrRourk]

Now look at the influence of Savate on Karate

[@frankmartinez4856]

Look at Japanese version of Goju Ryu! Peter Urban Sensei, change it to fit Americans (Bigger People) called it American Goju Ryu Karate 😬

[@InacioEduardo-u6g]

Eu sou o eduardo moro em SP eu queria os video de caráter de defesa pessoal de rua de okiawa bem antigo ok

[@DaveTromp]

Pinan shodan is actually heian nidan in shotokan

[@ArtofOneDojo]

Yes, I overlooked that and added that pinned comment at the top.

[@snowissj]

So, the Japanese sushi lovers can’t complain about California rolls; adapting to the new culture.

[@gnos1s171]

"Tang hand" isn’t what "karate" means, karate means open hand, the term of "chinese hand" or "tang hand" is the ryukyuan word for these arts they didn’t call it karate, it was tou di that is the term for chinese/tang hand, not karate, karate just means open hand

[@ArtofOneDojo]

"Tou di" means "Chinese/Tang Hand" in Okinawan. "Karate" is the Japanese translation of that same word. "Karate" is the Japanese word for "Tang Hand". In Japanese, different Kanji characters can share sounds. 唐 - means "Tang" and is pronounced "Kara" 空 - means "empty" but it's ALSO pronounced "Kara". If you translate "Toudi" to Japanese you get "Karate" which means Tang Hand. Funakoshi changed the Kanji so that it meant "empty hand" instead, but was still pronounced "Karate". So yes, Karate originally meant Tang Hand but was changed to mean Empty Hand.

[@ArtofOneDojo]

唐手 - means "Tang Hand", pronounced "Karate" 空手 - means "empty hand", still pronounced "Karate".

[@gnos1s171]

@@ArtofOneDojo oh, fair enough, I stand corrected, I didn't know that was the case, I am not well versed in the Japanese language, so yeah, once again, fair enough

[@ArtofOneDojo]

@@gnos1s171 No worries, it can easily get complicated. I am not versed in Japanese either but I studied the early history of it. Japanese is an extremely flexible language.

[@margaretlo4590]

Tang = Chinese because it refers to the Tang Dynasty 618-907 CE. Chinese people often refer to ourselves as “Tong Ren” people of the Tong. In cantonese, chinatowns are called “Tong yun gai” or Tong People’s Street. Pronounced Tong not Taang.

[@DouglasGomesBueno]

I hate that Japan Banned the Grappling Skills of Okinawa Karate and turned Karate in a limited striking point sport.

[@k9m42]

Japan copied Okinawan Karate, Korea copied Japan’s Karate.

[@dakentaijutsu2010]

It's more adapt than copy

[@PhinTheShoto]

@@dakentaijutsu2010 agreed.

[@MrJames-eb6rp]

The Japanese watered down Karate.

[@PhinTheShoto]

@@MrJames-eb6rp not necessarily and it really depends on how you look at it. While Shotokan definitely has cut back on some techniques, you can't argue the amount of success it had with making Kihon, Kata and Kumite an all in one in class setting deal a good way to train people in Karate. Efficiency and delivery to the masses matters especially if you're promoting a martial art. And you have to take into context that not everyone is trying to be a full on fighter and the very quiet majority are there to study Karate for self improvement and health. Is it watered down? Yes, for a necessary reason and succeeded in bringing it to the masses. It's not necessarily a bad thing. Kyokushin too has given so much to the world of Karate. It got its title of "Strongest Karate" for a reason since it did adopt both Shotokan and Goju-aryu and established its own system that the actual competitive fighters can engage the most in. If anything, Kyokushin didn't even water down. It filled an entire waterpark for combat. It EXPANDED what Karate can be capable of and what other realms Karate can be a part of if it doesn't exclude itself from just Okinawa or even Mainland. Karate isn't even the only martial art that watered itself down to make it accessible. Watering down doesn't mean bad if it means it can succeed in providing accessibility. Muay Thai is watered down Muay Boran and no one complains about it being watered down. Ring Savate is watered down Street Fighting Savate. Kendo, Judo, Aikido, Iaido are ALL watered down versions of Kenjutsu, Jujutsu, Aikijutsu and Iaijutsu and NO ONE complains about it. Us Karate Nerds need to chill tbh. Myself included.

[@MrJames-eb6rp]

@@PhinTheShoto I get your point, But I prefer the individualized training from Okinawan Karate instead of the masses that's more of a business scheme aka "promoting", and I like Okinawan Karate not having the WW2 militaristic mentally with the screaming before a Kata and all of that non sense. I like how Okinawan Karate kept most of its Chinese roots mostly seen in Uechi and Goju than Shorin, Shorin is too linear and rigid not my cup of tea. I believe having both linear with circular is best but that's just my opinion.

[@tyson1ize]

your makeup is lovely

[@ArtofOneDojo]

*wink wink*, I try :)

[@tyson1ize]

@@ArtofOneDojo mmm ..mmm!! lol

[@johnbravo4093]

Okimawan is more relax and flexible because they are not a real Japanese. Japanese karate is like robot. Sharp move and fast. Because that’s the way japanese are.

[@lawrencecron672]

Wado Ryu and Shorinji Kempo must be excluded from the criteria as the others are direct cover styles of the Okinawan. They are not as uniquely Japanese.

[@ArtofOneDojo]

Wado Ryu is an offshoot of Shotokan. Shorinji Kempo is another beast altogether. KENPO in general is different from Karate.

[@VicNorth2023]

@@ArtofOneDojo Wado-Ryu definitely an offshoot of Shotokan (I did both). Wado-Ryu has shorter stances, faster and I'd say more dynamic and sophisticated incorporating elements of jujitsu.

[@Cailus3542]

​@@VicNorth2023 Yup. I've trained a bit in Shotokan, and I really do prefer Wado-ryu. That's not because Shotokan is less effective or any such nonsense. Wado-ryu is just more fun for me.

[@mrgsudo]

The founder off Wado Ryu, master Ohtsuka, was a student of Master Funakoshi, founder of Shotokan. He was also a talented practitioner of Japanese jujutsu, and incorporated this art in Waco ryu.

[@NickB283]

I think there's an important thing about kime to understand that's missing here. The Japanese word "kimeru" (決める) means "to decide". An example: in Judo you can do all the steps of throw but fail to execute it if you don't actually commit to it and put it full effort into it. Your sensei would say something like "you have to throw with kime", meaning "do it like you mean it." Decisiveness, you have to "go all in" with the throw. Using "kime" to mean the explosiveness, "snappiness", or stopping in the air because you're not actually punching an object, isn't actually what the word was ever meant to be. I think people attached the word "kime" to these things because if you throw a full power punch in the air without hitting a target you'll likely off-balance yourself, or possibly painfully jolt your elbow. Nobody punches in the air the same way they hit the punching bag, unless they're barely touching the surface of the bag (which makes for an essentially useless punch). Just wanted to provide a point of clarification about the word. I know it has come to mean different things in different dojos, but I think losing it's actual definition hasn't helped the world of karate.

[@3Pillers]

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