What is American Karate?

[@candonesaucedo839]

You should also collaborate with Sensei Seth on this topic. That's the background of his and his parents

[@bw5020]

That's a very good pick

[@timlinator]

Sounds like my style started in the mid 1970's and mixed Karate, Judo and Jujitsu. In more modern times a lot of us cross train in BJJ & Kickboxing.

[@glane3962]

Awesome! I got my 1st dan in Shotokan and then started incorporating other styles such as taekwondo and judo and then started my own American Karate club.

[@fourscorpio]

Nice interview! Much like America itself, American Karate is a melting pot of different styles and was the precursor to MMA. It's all about innovation and adaptation, and translates well to the ring or cage.

[@conorfiggs234]

The precursor to MMA is vale Tudo, which is MMA

[@willtherealrustyschacklefo3812]

@@conorfiggs234 that is a ruleset. Not a fighting style Js

[@garytucker3563]

Studied Traditional Okinawan Goju Ryu by two Black Christian Sensei's in Concord, North Carolina during my first two years of college. I was bummed out not getting to a place of my choice, but I was ready to try to make the best out that situation. Went up the street and found J.Jones's Goju School, and it literally made a bad situation wonderful.

[@cowlico]

Every time I've seen American Karate, it has been for me very impressive, I studied Taekwondo (Ch'ang On from the ITF) but when I learned we practiced our Hyeong like Karate, and there was a whole lot of boxing and other stuff. I started training in 1973, and listening to this young man it's very valuable. Thank you for this.

[@robertnguyen9493]

Great interview, very insightful into the nature of American Karate and what separates it from the more “traditional” karate. Also, I was noticing in the footage that the sideways stance they use looks very similar to the Philly Shell stance on boxing. “Terrible” Tim Witherspoon, a former heavyweight boxing champion has talked used that stance and teaches it on his KZbin channel, which I also follow. He’s also mentioned the high block in Karate, and he was impressed by it and wondered how it would work in boxing and if it could effectively be applied. Again, great interview, and very informative and insightful.

[@krt4607]

if you take into account that the wkf, the biggest karate federation in the world, fights sideways, mainly uses bill wallace's classic kicks (ura, mawashi and yoko geri) and also uses protectors based on those of jhoon rhee, you can consider karate American as the forerunner of Olympic karate

[@conorfiggs234]

So in other words American karate is TaeKwondo? That’s what you just described especially considering you said JHOON RHEE influenced it.

[@willtherealrustyschacklefo3812]

@@conorfiggs234 essentially all karate is "modern", it didn't exist until the early 1900s, the distinction between the styles is actual "martial" art vs competition style modern versions of the arts(becoming an Olympic sport was one of the worst things that ever happened to karate or any martial art frankly)

[@willtherealrustyschacklefo3812]

@@conorfiggs234 but yes virtually all modern competition karate styles are just tkd. (most tkd teaches the hand techniques of karate btw since tkd doesn't have any lol) you see he brought up karate combat, every fight Ive seen on there was far more tkd than karate. Ps I have black belts in shotokan, gojo ryu, and tkd I would know lol

[@bobbaker8715]

American point fighting karate looks like a hybrid of shotokan/tae kwon do....lots of kicks followed or set up with back fist reverse punch and blitz

[@johnorr414]

Great interview! Derek represented our school well! He is a good martial artist, good filmmaker and good friend. Well done sir!

[@camiloiribarren1450]

This is great to learn about. I’m glad this man is very open to learning and enjoys what he does while still respecting traditionalists and noticing why we focus on kata and bunkai. The way he’s trained shows a great deal of how good he js

[@carlobella1850]

When I think of American karate I think of the 1970s kick boxers with Afros and American flag gi’s! 😂 really strange looking, but really tough guys. Those 70s kick boxers were!

[@cowlico]

I remember growing up in Newark NJ taking Ch'ang On Taekwondo and a lot of the dudes had fros!

[@aidanmurray8283]

Loved the interview! I’d love for you to speak with Iain Abernethy on the channel. He’s got an interesting view on traditionalism as it pertains to practicality

[@christopherblade5984]

Excellent interview. I've read and trained a lot about and with American Martial Artists. After listening to this and never having been to America (a forever dream) here in the UK I feel I'm an American Martial Artist, having two American Grandmasters. And affiliates. And I love it. Thank you greatly for this interview. 🙏🙏🙏

[@markdaniels4178]

American karate is perfect for westerners; it works. Just like jiu-jitsu in the UK 🇬🇧 is the comprehensive for westerners.

[@willtherealrustyschacklefo3812]

All depends, I mean I am an American and I primarily practice/train and use foreign arts lol. But no that's not generally the case, and I mean I've done American boxing and wrestling, but have black belts in shotokan, and gojo ryu , 2nd degree black belt in tkd, done a little Japanese jujitsu and judo but for the last 12+ years I've been doing Chinese martial arts , mainly wing Chun (which karate primarily comes from btw) Tai chi and qi gong exercises.

[@glane3962]

@@willtherealrustyschacklefo3812 It’s descended from Chinese martial arts but very little resemblance exists in the modern day. Same thing is happening in America. American karate is descended from Japan/Okinawa but is starting to resemble its origin less and less.

[@willtherealrustyschacklefo3812]

@@glane3962 that last part is semi very accurate, but there's more "grappling" techniques and concepts which apply to it in Chinese martial arts than there is in Japanese jujitsu or bjj . However it's up to the individual to practice and train and there lies the problem in majority of cases

[@willtherealrustyschacklefo3812]

@@glane3962 and it was not time but becoming an Olympic sport which killed karate. (the much more modern /American styles)

[@MistyMountainVideo]

Great interview. I never heard of Derek before so it was cool to learn about him and the system he practices. Now I will attempt to find some youtube videos of his style for curiosity sake. I may be a Uechi ryu guy but it NEVER HURTS to check out another system/style and see what you can learn from it. I was lucky enough back in the day to have a teacher who encouraged checking out other systems. In fact, he was big on encouraging us to check out Jiu Jitsu and/or Judo to learn grappling and ground fighting. (This was back in the very early 80s - during that time of McDojo BS of my way or no way).

[@Soldier-of-God.]

Nice to see Sensei Derek Wayne Johnson, wear a Karate Combat cap. Thank you as always for bringing us awesome interviews, with wonderful martial arts 🥋 pioneers Sensei Dan, Osu 🇲🇽🥋!

[@1888swordsman]

Glad to watch this interview. Very informative and inspiring. Respect

[@ronniewarren5938]

Great interview..thank you both very much!

[@belikewater2413]

Great interview! As a kid growing up in the U.K. in the 80s/90s I watched the great martial arts films of the era and always wanted to do ‘American Karate’…

[@bookworm3756]

I started in ASK as a child and I've Never heard anyone reference it.

[@skully7159]

Karate Combat is basically Kickboxing with Karate Gi trousers on

[@ruiseartalcorn]

Great interview! Many thanks :)

[@Luke-os8et]

Loved this video, I'm a shotokan Karateka but American karate looks really interesting, I'd love to try it one day. Regards from Northern England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@PhinTheShoto]

I would love to watch a video on the SKA (Shotokan Karate of America) and how much of the original Funakoshi Shotokan was brought ovee!

[@ChrisTempel]

Question for Derek - was your school affiliated with Hill Country Karate at all? Nick Smith was the head instructor. I lived in New Braunfels TX as a kid and did an after school karate program with them. The style was American Karate and we had that ASK patch! I made it to third purple at 13 and then we moved to Washington State where I got involved in Kenpo.

[@wyldvigilante]

From Texas and I am somewhat familiar with Hill Country Karate. My Kenpo school used to compete against them at times . Small world.

[@ArtofOneDojo]

Message from Derek: "Yes, Hill Country Karate was under the banner of ASK. Most of the territories are independent now but all come from ASK".

[@cowlico]

I do like those people at Hill Country Karate, they are very welcoming, nice, and professional people. They are wonderful to be around I really enjoy the competitions.

[@keithhampton9700]

​@@wyldvigilanteAl Tracy or Ed Parker? I was Al Tracy. Hurst Texas. Master John Fite

[@wyldvigilante]

@@keithhampton9700 American Kenpo.

[@jeffreywright2294]

Nice interview Love John G. Too

[@CarlosRivera-se3si]

Awesome I learned so much from this interview and the information was spot on. Truly enjoy this.

[@rogerfulgham3941]

Gotta love being a martial artist

[@christophervelez1561]

American jiujitsu is a fascinating thing too.

[@tatianaflorez6641]

My son start this discipline and he loves it 😊

[@_Pauper_]

Very interesting episode especially in light of my conversation earlier today when I asked some smarter people than me what the state of western or American Buddhism, it’s been said by monks from various former hotbeds that Western Buddhism will be its own thing sooner than later… but on the martial arts side it’s good see sparring being heavily used, wish kung fu and FMA would get the memo

[@bensigl3766]

@Art of One Dojo Could you PLEASE do a video on the Shuri-Ryu style of Robert Trias? I think it was the first truly "American" style of Karate. I know some try to focus on it being "Okinawan Shuri-Ryu" but the majority still acknowledge that it has been directly modified with things from other arts in an effort to become more effective.

[@ArtofOneDojo]

We did film a KZbin short on Mr. Trias. We haven't released it yet, but when we do and if it gets good traction we'll likely do a full episode.

[@charlesdacosta2446]

Wow, never thought about it but yes, it would be an evolution from the other three and then adjusting to include Bruce Lee and E.Parker's stuff. Thanks, i like this one. I would just drop the McDojo stuff , as an American we use to say , "to each his own!"

[@JoeVentura-oy9pb]

Tosan or dosan is a Tae Kwan Do hyung and the form he mentioned The form Destainy wich was indeed develop by Jhoon Rhee who taught many Texans in fact they had a nick name (Tex Kwon Do)....i would bet this gentlemans American Karate has lineage back to Jhoon Rhees korean karate.

[@charlesdacosta2446]

I hate when people say "it doesn't work." Everything works under the right surcomstances. Just think how many goldenglove boxers broke their hands crossing their opponents in the head. Would you argue then that crosses and jabs don't work? I love the "flowery hands and embroidered legs of kungfu/wushu. Yes i would even use them in the streets. I learned how, that may be the difference for some, learning how!"

[@lionsden4563]

Oh my god. 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@themartialartway]

I love this video. Karate is always moving.

[@golputer1]

I doubt the side stance comes from boxing. It’s a traditional karate stance called “kiba dachi”. Bill “Superfoot” Wallace is a 10th Dan Black belt in Shorin-Ryu Okinawan Karate, which makes him a “Hanshi” or Senior Sensei. But as with traditional karatekas, he doesn’t go around introducing himself as “Sensei” or “Hanshi”. Bas Rutten is a 5th Dan black belt in Kyokushin. Also doesn’t introduce himself as Sensei Bas.

[@revariox189]

Great interview in general, hope it is a part 1 of multiples (or wrap up various ones later on, also I am one who appreciates hour long videos of yours lol) as it is a very interesting topic that can be explored in various ways. What I found unfortunate about the interview is that he didn't touch the main point, American Karate tries to sell Karate as a product and obviously for people to make money off of it. The commercialisation of Karate itself. Okinawa has it as a way of life, Japan has it as a National pride, America has it as a product. With that comes all the issue that come with commercializing any art. Loss of intent, watering down to appeal to most people possible etc. Happens in music, Martial Arts and every other art. Once it becomes marketable, it loses it's true identity and intent. Or it shifts.... Having it as a product IS what inspired millions (in movies, tv shows, mass media) to take on Martial Arts all around the world; and THAT is probably the biggest contribution possible. Being the spark that starts an interest is worth it all.

[@ArtofOneDojo]

To be fair, there are a lot of schools in Japan and other countries where it is a product too. I would not say it's fair that American martial arts are automatically a product to be sold. I personally know several people who either teach privately or run independent schools (for either low money or even a loss) and it's about the passion of the art and teaching others. The commercialization is everywhere in every country, but definitely on a school to school basis. But I do agree with you, sometimes that commercialization is what sparks the spread, and that's where the fine line is. Get the attention out there while still maintaining an integrity to the art.

[@revariox189]

@@ArtofOneDojo Meant it more as America were the first to have the idea to have it more commercialized. And I thank the Lord for those smaller schools, I attend one of them. Commercialisation is not to be mixed with McDojo as they are not equivalent at all. Keep up the good work Sensei Dan and the team!

[@stanclark3992]

Hi Art of One Dojo. I always pause when martial artists talk about they do the karate that 'works.' Practitioners both inside & outside karate are always telling me my karate doesn't work. What they then discover, is that they can't do karate traditionally. The real challenge. 😑😑 CHEERS.

[@availtalentla2300]

You might want to take a look at K Star Training Academy in Las Vegas

[@sorenpx]

Interesting stuff but I have long been skeptical of that sideways stance in a self-defense situation. It seems that someone with even basic wrestling knowledge would be able to shoot in for a takedown and that being sideways instead of squared up would make defending the takedown very difficult. Also, leg kicks.

[@marioramoncastillo4866]

Por mi inglés básico no me quedó clara la explicación 😅. En Internet no aparece american karate como un estilo. Es más, inmediatamente te muestra el kenpo karate de ed Parker. Mi pregunta sería , quién es el creador de karate americano como estilo ( Ejemplo, miyagui creador del goju ryu) y que dojos o senseis se identifican directamente con este estilo de karate. No está claro ...en otras palabras si quiero practicar karate americano, que escuela o dojo podrían mencionar . Por ejemplo el karate machida, creado por lyoto y su hermano chinzo, aue mezcla shotokan, bjj y sus conocimientos de mma , sería un estilo de american karate según la entrevista ? De eso se trata el american karate ?🤔

[@dwainbryan6037]

I think to say the side blade stance is a modern take isn't correct, traditional martial arts all have some kind of side stance, but the difference is they didn't emphasize it over all other stances. The reason being the side stance is good in some situations but in others it's better to take another stance depending on a bunch of factors. In reference to kata, you can't use kata in sparring because it's designed for self defence, therefore the timing, intention power output is completely different and here is the problem mixing traditional arts with sporting arts, its two completely different philosophies. Sparring (if it involves contact) will teach you to act under pressure in regards to breathing, relaxation, focus etc but that's where it ends, if your teaching people to bounce around in a bladed stance on the street its gonna get them in trouble.

[@ArtofOneDojo]

That's what he meant by it being more of an American trait. While other arts do have the side stance but not as primary, in American Karate it IS a primary stance. Mainly because Bill Wallace learned to fight with a bad knee and developed a strategy to limit targets and still get his shots in. The bouncing isn't as much of a sign though in American arts. While there is some...Japanese Karate has MUCH more bouncing in tournaments and sparring. American Karate has a little bit, but does a lot of feinting and linear angle changes.

[@ninjamania]

At this point, I’d say Tang Soo Do is an American form of karate.

[@luxurybuzz3681]

Tang Soo Do is Korean

[@ninjamania]

@@luxurybuzz3681 Agreed- but the majority of practitioners are in the USA, yes? The development of the majority of TSD happens in the USA as well, yes?

[@ArtofOneDojo]

Tang Soo Do gets stuck in a weird mix. It's very Americanized in general, but in many school they also "Japanese" themselves too. A lot of TSD schools in American use terms like "dojo, Karate, Sensei" instead of the Korean counterparts. And then there is American Tang Soo Do, which is a little bit different from traditional Tang Soo Do. TSD is an interesting study when looking at it's mixed roots and multicultural influence.

[@ninjamania]

@@ArtofOneDojo Agreed! Like American Karate, it has an interesting mix of many traditions.

[@Katcom111]

I wonder if there is British karate. I have heard of legitimate styles like German Jiu-Jitsu, Swedish Jiu-Jitsu, and Hokutoryu Ju-Jutsu which is a Finnish style.

[@rogerfulgham3941]

You’re welcome, I’ve been wondering what American Karate about

[@tommartin1223]

Sounds a lot like kajukenbo

[@ArtofOneDojo]

Not far at all. Kajukenbo is probably the Kempo equivalent. Kempo that came through Hawaii and branched off into multiple directions. Personally I find it all fascinating.

[@jalenikezeue4114]

The Machida era

[@andrewhancock2451]

I appreciate the unpretentiousness of his presentation.

[@ArtofOneDojo]

Derek is a class act for sure. I really appreciate his friendship.

[@cicerojones9248]

American Karate seems to be focused on tournament fighting. The superfoot thing seems to scream prizefighter to me. I think the Ed Parker, Kenpo stuff is more focused toward real life situations and self defense. Not to say there is anything wrong with that, but it seems a clear distinction.

[@GothamKnight84661]

Not just that, It's also focused on performance too when it comes to Kata/Forms. Not every American Karate style isn't like that as you mentioned Ed Parker. Also, Jason David Frank who founded Toso Kune Do which is an American style Karate that blends many styles including Muay Thai is quite effective style that works in the real world.

[@wyldvigilante]

I believe that martial arts fall into three basic categories sports oriented like modern TKD , traditional arts like Aikido and the fighting arts which include Kenpo. They all have their place and bring different things to the table.

[@cicerojones9248]

@@GothamKnight84661 Yup, There are many styles of American Karate now our days. I am mainly talking about the style presented here in this video. If you really want to talk about an American martial art just look at the Marine Corps Martial arts program.

[@revariox189]

@@wyldvigilante I beg to differ, Sports oriented, Entertainment oriented (Kata performance which is ridiculous), Traditional self defense. What I found disengenuous about the interview is that he didn't touch the main point, American Karate tries to sell Karate as a product and obviously for people to make money off of it. The commercialisation of Karate itself. Okinawa has it as a way of life, Japan has it as a National pride, America has it as a product. With that comes all the issue that come with commercializing any art. Loss of intent, watering down to appeal to most people possible etc. Happens in music, Martial Arts and every other art. Once it becomes marketable, it loses it's true identity and intent. Or it shifts....

[@wyldvigilante]

@Revario X I think one has to take into something that is rarely addressed and that is the monetization of martial arts in general. You make a critical point by pointing that out. I have taught both commercially and privately. Teaching commercially means you have to run a business . Teaching privately means you better have some material to teach. In American society it is often the big Mcdojo that is successful in business because he is treating it as business. I also never charge for my private lessons so no $ is involved and that creates a different relationship.

[@tonydisibio4236]

MMA comes from Bruce Lee Creation of JKD = JEET KON DO which is a combination of Various Martial Arts, Bruce's Idea was - Whatever Form that works on the Street in whatever Situation. Which Makes complete Sense. Bruce did a Very large Amount of Research on this before he came to this Conclusion.

[@ArtofOneDojo]

"MMA" and the concept of mixing arts comes way before Bruce Lee's time. That's generally how new styles were formed. Kenpo is a mixture of Karate and Kung Fu. Sambo is a mixture of striking and grappling. Kyokushin is a mixture of Goju Ryu and Shotokan and Kudo is a mixture of Kyokushin and Judo. The list goes on. Bruce was a great martial artist, but he didn't invent the concept of MMA or mixing styles. That idea has been around for centuries.

[@XRos28]

What you called Gi, differentiate you from Japanese Karate, in Japan it's called Karate-Gi, or more simple, a Do-Gi.

[@240fxst]

The art of fighting with all stretching.

[@MA1980c]

I thought American Karate schools did Taekwondo kata. And we are in fact Taekwondo schools... Hmm ..

[@tonymontana3949]

American Karate is looks like kickboxing

[@bountyhunter1303]

Have you ever talked bout American Freestyle Karate?

[@victortorres7851]

Yet another hybrid, What dojo do you train at?

[@Herowebcomics]

Karate kid got you interested? Power Rangers got me!😎

[@MrRourk]

Shuri Ryu?

[@cicerojones9248]

I hate when people say "it works", then point to a controlled situation in a ring for entertainment. "It sells" is a more appropriate statement in that context.

[@markdaniels4178]

It works! 😆 lol

[@conorfiggs234]

So what you’re saying is pressure testing and literally proving something works isn’t enough evidence for you? I think you’re just butthurt whatever art you do doesn’t work

[@cicerojones9248]

@@conorfiggs234 Nope, not butthurt. I think the martial arts were developed for survival, not for competition. Eye gouges, throat punches, and groin strikes are essential parts of survival tactics that are not used in competition. Certain things work in competiton. But BJJ and guard mount type nonsesne dosnt work with eye gouges, biting, and groin attacks. It only works in controlled competitive sport fighting.

[@nickelmanful]

​@@cicerojones9248 eye gouging and throat punching aren't some complicated techniques that make you lethal or definitely give the edge to survive. Anyone dedicates time to striking or grappling can pull them off

[@cicerojones9248]

@@nickelmanful yup. And they work. They also make some other techniques that work in a sport situation completely useless.

[@parttimetourist]

How do you call Karate American when it originated in Japan?

[@ArtofOneDojo]

Karate did not originate in Japan, it originated in Okinawa. Okinawa and Japan are two very different cultures and Okinawan Karate and Japanese Karate are extremely different. Karate started in Okinawa and then migrated to Japan (largely credited to Ginchin Funakoshi) and from there it spread around the world. Karate evolves and takes on the culture it goes to and can become a different flavor. For example, Shorin Ryu is basically Shuri Te, one of the first Karate styles created. It went to Japan and became Shotokan. Shotokan is the foundation for Tang Soo Do, which is why it's often called "Korean Karate". Karate came to America and mixed with a lot of other fighting styles. Ed Parker took his Kenpo training (which is Chinese in origin) and mixed it with Karate, boxing, judo and other styles creating what is known as American Kenpo Karate. The American Karate featured in this video is a heavily mixed with boxing and kickboxing. Made popular by Joe Lewis and Bill Superfoot Wallace. Bill Wallace originally learned Shorin Ryu, and merged that with his kickboxing style. So American Karate is a new flavor of fighting, with roots that can trace back to traditional Karate in Okinawa but heavily assimilated into American fighting styles.

[@widisobarna8437]

🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@Knucky_Sammich]

What is American Karate? It's about half the price of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. 🤣

[@dodgesportsman772]

American karate is whatever you want it to be... TKD, shotokan, shorin ryu katas.. its just a generic term

[@ArtofOneDojo]

It CAN be a generic term, when it means "Americanized" or "American Style". "American Tang So Do" is a specific Americanized version of the style. But there are arts can are actually CALLED American. American Karate is a specific style. American Kenpo, is a specific style. It's not always a generic term.

[@tonydisibio4236]

NO SUCH Thing, It originates in Taiwan, or China,or Japan.

[@ArtofOneDojo]

There absolutely is such a thing if you understand generations and how arts spread. Karate originated in Okinawa (Not Taiwan). It was local fighting styles that mixed with some Chinese ideas to form the first generation of Karate. Then it went to Japan and was adapted to fit their culture. So Karate did not originate in Japan, but the second generation of it did. There are a lot of differences between Okinawan and Japanese Karate, even within the same "styles". Karate then went to Korea and merged with their fighting to become Tang Soo Do/Taekwondo. That's why TSD is often called "Korean Karate". Then Karate spread to other parts of the world, including America where it was combined with Kickboxing and other elements. Just because it's not exactly the same as original Okinawan Karate that doesn't mean it's not still Karate. It's a different generation/adaptation of it. That's like saying BJJ isn't actually Jiu Jitsu, because it originated in Japan. Japanese Jujutsu spread around the world, branched off into Judo, which became the basis of BJJ. Still a Jujutsu, but a different generation. American Karate is absolutely a thing, and a valid system at that.

[@tonydisibio4236]

@@ArtofOneDojo Pardon me but I meant Okinawa not Taiwan. now that I see it in Print - Stupid Mistake, Thankyou I was very Mistaken. the information was Much Appreciated.

[@sipius22]

A waste of time?

[@ArtofOneDojo]

Wasn't a waste of time for Superfoot Wallace or Joe Lewis.

[@kendalgee5808]

American Karate just means they will not beat your ass and make you bleed with a stick due to civil lawsuits.