okinawan karate stances

The roots have been traced back as far as ancient persia and egypt. I'm very tempted to say, "Oss!" 2. *ancient monk Boddhidarma, possibly Finger lock applied with hanbo*Jujutsu *is a combat art developed by They also have tuishou which means push hands in Chinese(Basically a close range training exercise to teach sensitivity if arms ever meet). BJJ, Muay Thai, MMA etc. 0:10. Japanese is not that bad at all. I trained in Wado-ryu karate for many years, graded to 1st Kyu level in Shotokan, and within the past 7 years have practised and achieved 1st Dan a classical form of Okinawan karate, called Ko-Do Ryu, which incorporates kata and bunkai from Goju-ryu, uechi-ryu,shito-ryu and other Okinawan originated styles. Well, I have a lot to say to defend my culture, but I save them for good now. 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. Imi translates tomeaning in English. Keep up the good work on the blog and with the Seishin Gi business. I enjoyed reading this article, I did practice Ominawan Karate as a young man, you brought many good memories to me. Shotokan karate is basically taught by the JKA not as a sport but a Do or Way of Life. Hojo Undo (Supplementary Exercises) Sandangi. I've noticed differences in the length of zenkutsu dachi between different branches of karate, but shiko dachi, kiba dachi, and Sanchin dachi were not significantly different. A- Many say who there wasnt Kokutsu dachi on traditional karate on fact on traditional kata Kokutsu was replaced by Ne ko ashi dachi. My question was if was there Kokutsu dachi with i the Plant of the feet on the ground, also goju ryu maybe have his version of kokutsu dachi. Especially the term "Kime": There was no person, who was teaching me the meaning of the word. It is the most famous art form in West Japan. As you can see, there is quite a variety of stances in Karate. Dear Jesse, Anko Itosu 4. As I stated I would never make statements like this about another system because I don't have the knowledge of the other system necessary to make the comparison. They are ancientterms of the Okinawan language. Shortly after arriving at our family home in Awase, outside of Sukiran and one of my first forays I found myself outside of the Kadena AFB gate going into town. They were considered a way of living as they developed ones mind and body. It is known as Heiwa no Bu, which means the art of peace in Okinawa. Bend your front knee so that it prevents you from seeing your front foot. This would no doubt help the student to learn TECHNIQUE, which is always important in any endeavor. If you have access to some sort of punching bag, you will find it helpful to practice these basics on the punching bag. Horror stories are often heard about some martial arts schools in the There is a mix of both hard and soft techniques. Great job Jesse in explaining and defining the concept of karate roots and applications. It's probably just used in a completely different way. Pfft. Say you learn that a certain technique is actually an arm bar into an arm break. Okinawa Goju-Ryu Karate-Do Kyokai [Sandangi] Renzoku Bunkai. Although not very useful (my opinion) in itself, many stances and movements are in a way similar to those in okinawan karate. Great article. Shorin-Ryu, in general, does not have Sanchin-dachi, while Goju-Ryu does, but they do it differently than Uechi-Ryu. 4. Incredible power can be generated by a martial artist using proper stances with hip rotation and focus. That happens sometimes in Okinawan karate, as well. Robust discussion is best. I just read some very long winded, opionated statements which seems to be an attempt to prove some people's opinions to be false. at net, except I know I am getting experience daily by reading such good content. What did he mean? Good reading, extremely intersting. Herschask them if they will sell you a new gi a piece at a timemaybe get the sleeves , then the rest of the jacket,and then the pants one leg at a time! There are around 130 million people globally who are karate practitioners and fans, so this art form is extremely popular. Since then, Ive revisited the amazing islandover a dozen times. The body mechanics of HOW to kick, punch or strike an opponent are important !! Jim, Thanks for chiming in Jim-san! The original Okinawan karate katas and stances were designed for survival in close combat. Im studding Goju-Ryu since 1997 with a japanesse sensei(shihan actually) from Yushinkan organitation, in the line of Ganzou Chojun Miyagi and his way to teach is like half japanesse and half Okinawan style, and I can understand everything you said on your article. I am active in training and teaching of Karate and Martial Arts for the past 46 years. Tuidi is the Okinawan method of grabbing,seizing, twisting and dislocating anopponents joints. They do not care how many degrees the toes should point somewhere, or how wide or long the stance should be. Your article make me want to travel to japan again, but this time to Okinawa. One can build their ashi (legs) by repeatedly perform Sanchin. The stances bit is the main thing for me. Anza (ahn-zah)- cross leg sitting. Does that make you feel better?? 6. Feet are about two shoulder widths apart, feet are open at a 45 angle. Below you will find a short introduction to each style. Neko-ashi-dachi is, in my view, both a traditional stance and an evolution of kokutsu-dachi. Traditional Okinawa Karate ()* You might spar people taller than you, faster than you, shorter than you, stronger than you, heavier than you, lighter than you, etc. Some of the masters that have taught me, has shown me (on my body) the one-inch punch, and I have never felt any power greater than this. 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. Trust me; youllnever see an Okinawan sensei teach you a spinning hook kick to the head! There is a place for both. (How to twist yourhips, how to adjustyourfeet, how to shift your weight etc.). (Related reading: Exposing The Lost Secret of Matsumuras Mysterious Bo Staff). Ooura is a Motobu Ryu style Karate sensei. The characters Shorin (), meaning small and forest respectively and pronounced shorin in Japanese, are also used in the Chinese and Japanese words for Shaolin Kung Fu. I teach this way too. This phenomenon has alsospread to the West, and is even getting popular inBrazilian Jiu-Jitsu and MMA too. Especially a dojo. Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt - Jon Hamm - Karate! get back to training hard. Copyright Hope this answers your questions! The meaning of many techniques was lost during the historical transmission of Karate from Okinawa to Japan. He chose to name the school using the first kanji characters from both masters names Matsu () and the style is pronounced in Japanese Matsubayashi (). Goju-ryu ()is one of the main traditional style of Okinawan Karate, featuring a combination of hard and soft techniques. Hello. I often see MMA lauded as ahighly effective art, and quite rightly so, it is effective. *Students at the University of Wyoming learn self-defense to assist in The WHY regards the definition, not the description. Unfortunately, this is the way of Martial Arts these days! Okinawan martial arts refers to martial arts, such as karate, tegumi and Okinawan kobud, which originated among the indigenous people of Okinawa. "For example; when I went to Okinawa last summer, I learnt a new kata called Tomari Chinto." Another great article Jesse. It would be nice to be able to pick up Karate again and not injure myself. Gosoku-ryu is a Japanese style of Karate that combines techniques from Shotokan and Goju-ryu. Great observation. Regards from Argentina. These things are rarely taught in regular Japanese Karate classes. Kenwa Mabuni 3. Like Nakamoto Masahiro, 10th dan Okinawan Kobudo, once told me after we finished training in his dojo: Karate and Kobudo is like brother and sister. Karate 27 Basic Movements Okinawan Karate Every day Karate at Home Ageshio Japan. Most people dont know this, but Japanese Karate practitioners actually changed many kata and added tons of new kumite techniques, for the sole purpose of scoring points in competitions. You are shown the how. This kata uses stances and attacks comprising of the five previous Pinan kata. It also has higher stances and teaches throws and locks. Because that was the goal when Karate was introduced to the various universities around Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto in the middle of the 20th century. Now you got me there we don't do weapons. He and his successor Chojun Miyagi (1888-1953) made several basics. If you look at the old photos of Funakoshi from his books, the kokutsu-dachi you see there is done in some Okinawan styles, to this day. The main difference is that Okinawans incorporate a lot of their original Martial Arts (Ti) as well. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. He made it his home. Oh wait, that's right, society has moved in the direction that everyone gets a ribbon just for entering an event. The Ryukyu kingdom had a community of Chinese diplomats at Kume Mura (now called Naha) that shared the Chinese martial arts with the Okinawans, who then adopted and modified the kata and added them to the indigenous Ryukyu Ti. In Renzoku Bunkai a whole Kata is organized into one applied sequence where . Wonderful reading, thank you for this! The technique encoded in the form/kata is basically identical despite the stylistic differences between Shaolin Kung-Fu and Shotokan and Shorin. email: israelpiedade@gmail.com. The East-West Okinawan Karate was not designed for demonstrations or shows. Arigatou gozaimasu! Please clickherefor a list of Goju-ryu dojos we offer training at. Okinawa-kenpo is a karate style which has been developed based on ancient Okinawan martial arts called "Ti". Ah, c'mon, man. A lot of practitioners don't know that Karate is the Okinawan adaptation of Chinese Kung Fu (southern white. / Oss!being used in Okinawa. The how you do something, makes the why yoU do it that more evident. As for "Effective" karate, what does that even mean without a context. You are correct about the Universities and tournaments in Japan during the 50's and 60's causing a large rise in the number of people studying karate. The purpose of Okinawan Karate has always been mainly self-defense oriented (the Why). Branches of the same tree. Also, local SKIF dojo's teach something equal to tuidi on a regular basis, especially for bunkai reasons. Maybe the Canadian and the Swedish versions of Shotokan are just as different from each other as from the Japanese version. As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Wanna know more about karate styles, check out this article: 13 Main Karate Styles and Their Differences. han zenkutsu dachi (half front stance) - As for zenkutsu-dachi, but feet only one shoulder-width apart. We don't use these at all. Was a third degree green belt when my sensei went psycho and my mom pulled me out. Please read my bio, and follow me on Facebook and Instagram. I have read this article four times. Chosin Chibana was a top student of the great master ofShuri-te, Anko Itosu (1831-1915). By continuing to use this website, you consent to our use of these cookies. serious in their karate, to understand these differences.. Oss has more of an "Umph!" adults o *"After kobudo, we will fish for dinner with our nuntei-bo. My mind ends up bouncing back and forth and if makes any sense at all it is too complicated for the lesser informed. 10. Soke Hausel stands in sumo stance (shiko dachi) while teaching a White Crane form at the University of Wyoming. self-confidence when taught correctly. This style was named after Kanbun Uechi and was initially called Pangai-noon in China, which combines hard and soft. Would love to see more practitioners of Wado Ryu move over to MMA and demonstrate your strong personal feelings >>> in the Octagon. There are many sub-styles of Karate. Karate is a Japanese Martial Art that originated from the island of Okinawa during the 17 th century and, later spreading to mainland Japan and worldwide. Renzoku means to continue. This gearis still being used in Okinawan Karate today. Wrong! I know that "how" vs. "why". 8. Shit-ry () is a form of karate that was founded in 1934 by Kenwa Mabuni ( , Mabuni Kenwa). I encourage my students to de-construct the "How" as taught, into the "why" by looking at other karate styles to see how the Japanese style has evolved/morphed into what it is, thereby understanding its history and application. He came back to his homeland and taught the Chinese kung-Fu to the karateka of Okinawa and Japan. You can have library of fancy movements in your head, but without the foundation, they are useless. After he mastered the Chinese fighting style, he came back and trained many other karatekas in Okinawa and mainland Japan. I don't think that will ever happen, but I will still keep the dream alive. Use of the ankles, knees, legs and hips to create stable Karate Stances and powerful Karate kicks. Disciples learn techniques that include hard, closed fist punches and soft, open hand strikes. but i will try by best to promote this. Raise one leg and place its ankle behind the knee of the standing leg. In real life, are we really gonna break people's arms, displace their knees, hold them in an arm barcripple them or kill them??? Ive also studied karate in Japan. It is a traditional martial art that was handed down from the founder Sensei Chojun Miyagi to his student Sensei Anichi Miyagi and then to Sensei Morio Higaonna in an unbroken line, which means the art has not been diluted or embellished through the generations like many other martial arts have. I have done some Shotokan myself, but only because I was forced to do so (another story, another day). Like you said in Okinawan Karate you won't see a spinning hook kick. Jesse Enkamp 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 police baton-like weapon was used for blocking. I have to write you now :) The last 2 days i was studying some of your writings about some terms in uchinaa-guchi, was searching about it in the internet etc. Shotokan practiced according to the original karate-DO syllabus does have a developed grappling component, not always seen in the typical curriculum, and you know more than I on that score. OKINAWAN VS. JAPANESE KARATE COMPARISON DEGRADING??? www.gojuryukenkyukai.com www.kenkyukai.com.au Ksank was the Okinawan name for Kwang Shang Fu, a Sapposhi (emissary of China's ruling class) sent to Okinawa in the 18th century. Teaching, learning, or even writing about martial arts was prohibited. sometimes, I almost cry reading, because you explain Okinawan Karate very well, since I have read many many misleading articles on karate from Okinawa. 1. Goju-ryu karate is based on the complimentary principles of hard and soft. 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. L and R is pretty much an interchangeable sound in Japan. No. However, Karate tends to be formalised, much like the rest of the Japanese culture (not okinawan so much) and so seems more rigid and unchanging. Okinawan competition can get very rough, as can one-on-one workouts. Shorin () -ryuis one of the major modern Okinawa styles of Karate and one of the oldest style. The level of martial knowledge , i.e. Okinawan martial arts refers to martial arts, such as karate, tegumi and Okinawan kobud, which originated among the indigenous people of Okinawa. Whereas the deep Japanese stance is designed for competition. wikiHow is a wiki, similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. Although they're not based in Okinawa anymore, their values and practices are very much Okinawan. *Kara Karate Stances - A Perfect Karate Foundation, Arizona Hombu Dojo - School of Traditional Karate & Kobudo, Top-Rated Okinawan Karate, Kobudo & Self-Defense in Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Arizona, International Training Center in Mesa, Arizona Focuses on Traditional Martial Arts, Arizona Karate - Nobody in Arizona Does it Better, Arizona Karate Instructor Nominated for Man of Year, About Arizona Martial Arts, Schools, Instructors, Styles and Classes, Picking a Martial Arts School in the Phoenix Valley, NUNTEI BO: Okinawa Fishing License for Traditional Karate and Kobudo, Breaking Rocks - Arizona Martial Arts Instructor, Geologist & Author Loves to Teach, ADULT Karate Classes: Mesa & Gilbert, East Valley Phoenix, Arizona's Adult & Family Karate and Self-Defense Classes, Traditional Martial Arts - A Path of Peace, Mesa, Arizona Self-Defense Class taught by Hall-of-Fame Grandmaster (Professor of Martial Arts). Rather than face MMA, I guess you and this gentleman should face off and resolve the strong feelings.. Traditional Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate With Morio Higaonna: Stances & Footwork No views Sep 27, 2022 BLACK BELT MAGAZINE (OFFICIAL) 288K subscribers Traditional Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate. Maximum vertical compression of the legs adds power by making the hips more stable and energy less disspated to the extremities via vibration, etc. Okinawan karate form focuses more on making a dignified and noble karateka than a good fighter. What makes it stand out is its elementary karate principles. Torso erect. No. . I won't mention the specific, but one of the authors comparisons has been a strategic reason for my success in sparring & competition. // but please credit me and/or link to my site I really don't know where this idea comes from. Wado Ryu is a true Japanese style of Karate and I do believe I am qualified to comment on Japanese karate. Fully agreed with your comments. The use of the whole body to generate power and punch through your target is a concept we know very well. Karate was introduced to the public as a way of life, means of healthy living, right action, benevolence and self defense. I would love to see you or some one else write this same article but with a more biased lean towards Japanese Karate. In my experience, small classes would benefit the Shotokan student in much the same way as in other disciplines whether physical or academic. They did have some deep and long stances. This was a good read. You may want to use weapons. Basic Techniques and Terminology in Okinawan Karate Japanese Numbers: 1 - ICHI 6 - ROKU 2 - NI 7 - SHICHI / NANA 3 - SAN 8 - HACHI 4 - SHI / YON 9 - KU 5 - GO 10 - JU Glossary of Terms Age (ah-gey)- rising. No Oss/ Ous. Thanks for sharing. Fantastic Article. Also, in traditional Okinawan Karate, there was no belt ranking system. There is also the factor of variance due to complexity and Wing Chun does have a lot of variables, like the yin/yang energy and each technique tends to be not one set thing but often has different positions and purposes. The one that leaps out to me is the lock applied to his opponent's right elbow, although there may be something going on with their knees too. Please clickherefor a list of the many different programs that we have to offer you at Ageshio Japan. If I remember correctly, one way in which all karate is the same is the concept that "karate begins and ends with courtesy". karate kata [eg goju] contain many breaks from grabs it's interesting and nicely well said. Shito Ryu comes from the blend of NahaTe and Shuri Te. Wy japanese karate like shotokan have got, some stance of some style of kung fu, like shao lin chuan of north, Hung gar etc. Good way of telling, and pleasant article to get data about my presentation focus, Quite naturally, this aspect of combat also involves other nasty things like choking, unbalancing, throwing, trapping hands, hitting pressure points and nerve bundles. But in Okinawa, you find them in every corner of the dojo. Everyone are there as friends, working together in the spirit of Karate. But In Tokyo, I have been there for almost 20 years practicing Genseiryu, which has its roots on Okinawa. He is one of the pioneers of Okinawan karate. I switched over pretty much immediately because it just made more sense and felt right. The whole answer is I respect it & appreciated it's teachings, and try to benefit from study of it, it's values such as laid out in this article. Shotokan karate != all Japanese Karate. Whereas the deep Japanese stance is designed for competition. Hi Alastair, Arigato Jesse Mama-san! I was taught the details you mentioned, foot movement, hip movement, etc. Muchimi, Gamaku, Meotode, Chinkuchi, Machiwara, Ti, Shinshii, Toudi etc. I am trained in kyokushin since 25 years. Great Post!!!! I agree 100% The only weapon associated with our style is the Japanese sword and that is because of our Jujutsu roots. The effective use of the upper body; shoulders, back, arms, elbows and hands to produce dynamic When we understand our style, we can train it better & use it best. Some of our black belts heard others in different styles using this and thought it would be a good idea to pick up the term. I like to say that traditional karate is a thinking man's discipline. No one has to go out an perform all the bunkai exactly as demonstrated. If you want to be a good swimmer, you must swim. Greetings from Spain. 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." Anko Itosu is the father of modern karate. I'd salute by the O-word, but it's not in my style. might get it wrong. You probably understand your style of Karate to a fairly high degree and what you say about your Okinawan art I do not doubt. The Best Traditional Karate and Kobudo Classes in the Phoenix Valley. Shodokan was founded by Higa Seiko, one of the most famous masters of Naha-Te in Okinawa. This contrasting experience has really helped me to get more from my karate. P.S. In Okinawan karate-do it is ryo-hanchin dachi nor zenkutsu dachi. Interesting articles to read through - thanks again Jesse :), iam an indian 61 years old practising karate and a 4th dan in grandmasters hayashi ha shitoryu karate in india your article on japanese and okinawa styles is very enlighting for me. These days, most Karate dojos in Okinawa practice verylittle Kobudo. Wish I had money enough to live in Okinawa, learn their language and their karate! Degrading? There are MANY differences between Okinawan and Japanese Karate. I have always wanted to go back and get a higher belt (not that the belt really matters). This list also includes Japanese karate style dojos like Shotokan or Kyokushin? You have explained to me WHY I love this style of Karate. Of course, these are just generalizations but theyre based on my personal observations from years of traveling to, and living in, Okinawa and Japan. If you practiced in Shotokan, I would say great article, you are spot on. Gichin Funakoshi (1868-1957). I have also trained this way myself. At all. fighting? Love the article Jesse-san! Thanks for sharing! | Arigato gozaimasu. At least I hope it was not your intention. Todd Litzy. The why helps you to understand the reason for the how you do something. Distribute your body weight equally on both legs. You nailed it sir. Great article, sir. Karates heritage is everywhere in Okinawa, and its such a natural part of their culturethat it simplymakes no sense to compete in it. Now im wondering: Havent i understand the princip of kime the right (= japanese) way all the years or is the isolated understanding as "stopping/arresting" not the (fully) "right" idea of "kime"? Very happy to learn something new. Always fun to read your articles. Furthermore, it would be nice to learn some proper self-defence. In the end, its about doing what you love whether its Okinawan or Japanese. For Okinawan Karate, the stance is supposed to be practical when applied in self-defense, whereas regular karate has adopted a more competitive and fitness style stance. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 15,731 times. As you advanced, over time, they would get smaller and more natural and you started to flow through techniques and stances. In Japanese Karate, the katas and stances are unnatural, forced, and developed to keep the body fit. It's not. I did compete in tournaments in the 70's and 80's. I have heard and read that there are hundreds of Karate dojos in Okinawa. It's considered a Japanese style. I doubt there is a big difference in our approach to separating sport karate from the true meaning of Budo. I've been doing some research into Manji-uke as you find it in Bassai/Passai and what I've found is the entire Bassai/Passai sequence was lifted complete, whole as a unit *completely identifiably* from Shaolin (or other style) kung-fu forms. best wishes for all instructors & all student Last Updated: December 30, 2021 I attended classes in a walk up second story dojo maybe 800 sq ft. No one spoke English, it was so hot, I could feel every little grit of sand and so much more. There's difference in method, approach. Practicing Okinawan karate styles can provide physical and mental benefits such as improved strength, coordination, balance, focus, self-discipline, and confidence. Discussion forums like this (and others) are a great place for people to learn the history of the styles and see the common roots and the sometimes forgotten common purpose. I also love learning the differences in karate. By using our site, you agree to our, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/b9\/Perform-the-Ten-Basic-Okinawan-Karate-Moves-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Perform-the-Ten-Basic-Okinawan-Karate-Moves-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/b9\/Perform-the-Ten-Basic-Okinawan-Karate-Moves-Step-1.jpg\/aid5849065-v4-728px-Perform-the-Ten-Basic-Okinawan-Karate-Moves-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"