Karate in OKINAWA vs. JAPAN (10 Differences)

Karate is VERY different in Japan and Okinawa.

In this video you'll learn 10 reasons - including Kobudo, bunkai, hojo undo (strength training) and self-defense. These are things I discovered at the birthplace of Karate.

Regardless of your style, it's important to know the history and evolution of martial arts. Especially Karate, which came from China and made it all the way to the Olympic Games in Tokyo.

"Those who don't learn from the past, are doomed to repeat it..."

Enjoy!

Cover photo credit: Chris Wilson, Travel 67, Okinawa

☯️ BIO: Jesse Enkamp a.k.a The Karate Nerd™ is a #1 Amazon Best-Selling Author, National Team Athlete, Keynote Speaker, Entrepreneur, Carrot Cake Lover & Founder of Seishin International - The World’s Leading Karate Lifestyle Brand.

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WARNING: The advice and movements shown in this video are for informational and educational purposes only. Consult a health professional before engaging in any exercise or martial arts program.

‼️ COPYRIGHT DISCLAIMER:

This video is under Fair Use: Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act in 1976; Allowance is made for "Fair Use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use. All rights and credit go directly to its rightful owners. No copyright infringement intended.

#Okinawa #japan

0:00 Introduction
0:19 Stances 立ち形
2:39 Sport 文化活動
3:29 Chinkuchi
5:38 Hojo undo 補助運動
6:37 Tuidi 取り手
9:02 Dojo Spirit 道場

[KARATEbyJesse]

Do you prefer Japanese or Okinawan Karate? 🥋

[amyholderness]

I love that Okinawan Karate is a "lifestyle." Training can go on as long as you want.

[stuart]

I had a judo instructor that was also a black belt in Japanese karate. He did not like karate because he said it destroyed your knees. The stances in Okinawan karate are much more natural and more easy on the knees.

[alvarofilho]

Wow, you basically explained all of the teachings and fights in the Karate Kid movies. Mr Myagi was indeed a Okinawan Karate Sensei.

[ewehcop]

Okinawa is much closer to Kung Fu than most people realized. The Okinawans and Chinese shared much common bonds due to their closeness. Until recently, most Okinawa masters travel to China (mainly Fujian) for advancement of their training. Most of the Katas were based on the White Crane styles of Fujian.

[getsum]

I lived in Japan for 15 years, five of which was in Okinawa where I studied Shurite and became a Ni Dan...it was quite an honor being the first American to be taught in my dojo; I spent a lot of time there training and had my own key to the dojo after proving myself after about six months. I then moved to Tokyo where I tried to find a dojo/style to progress in but failed to find one that even halfway measured up to what I had already been taught; it was mostly about sport which was frowned on in Okinawa...in fact my Sensei directly told me that if he caught me competing in a tournament, I was done. To him, it was all about keeping the kata and its extrapolations a secret as some of the moves could be used to kill or seriously hurt someone... at least that how he explained it to me.

All that said, this is one of the best videos I have seen on the internet realistically breaking down the differences and being correct...at least to my level of understanding. Great Job and I hope you have nothing but success in your future and travels.

[Masushi]

I practised JKA Shotokan in the past, now I am a 57 year old Shodan with a knee injury and today I decided to learn Goju Ryu Karate, starting with a white belt. Thanks for your great videos and insights, I turned into a Karate Nerd. :)

[bpindermoss]

I started off in Kyukushinkai, moved to Hapkido, then Shotokan and finally to Goju Ryu...and my eyes were opened. Goju is brutally effective. Kyukushinkai taught me to fight, Hapkido taught me to have an aggressive attitude but Goju combined both of the previous two with a regard for bodily preservation. I am ashamed to say that there were some holdovers left in my training that I didn't leave behind when I started Goju. I trained far too hard and now have a bad shoulder. All told, Goju is the most effective art I've trained in.

[senyengvang]

i have gained a whole new respect for Okinawan Karate

[garysuarez]

Karate starts and ends in self defense.
You are bringing back the memories strong, sensei!
Edit: studied Okinawan Kenpo/Kobudo. One of the best things I decided to study. Love the culture, love the joy in good execution.

[gajanannataraj]

As a former karateka, I found this extremely interesting and somewhat validating. I've found that striving for kime had been an big hindrance in the flow of my movements. It's nice to know there in an alternative concept at the heart of Okinawa's karate

[KarateDojowaKu]

Hi Jesse long time no talk!
I’m Yusuke from Karate Dojo waKu.

This is such an amazing video! We as Japanese don’t think deeply about this too, so it was a good reminder.

Thanks for your content.

[jean-lucbrazier]

Thanks for theses informations. When I was young, I practiced english Boxing. At this time after 25 years when you did'nt decide to be professionnal boxer you had no other choice but to stop. Instead of giving up fighting sport, I went toward Shotokan but unfortunately after my fifties it was no more possible : my body had been abandoning me, it was too painfull. I was about to abandon when by chance I met my Okinawan sensey 8th dan in Shorin Shorinkan and I discoved another world : I'll never find enough words to thanks him. Ten yeas after I can say that I've never been in a such form in my Live.

[jakqatif]

So Mr. Miyagi's karate is the original thing!!
I'm watching Cobra Kai, It's great !

[mozzif]

I don't know how I ended here, but now I want to learn Karate

[MrJonnyTapas]

Hi...

I am a military brat who spent my adolecent years in Okinawa.

I studied Okinawan Kempo under Master Saekichi Odo. He handed me my brown belt before returning to the United States myself.

I'm really enjoying these videos.

As I returned to the US. My studies didn't mean I could beat everyone up. But that's how my friends interpreted it.

As I progressed through my Senior High School life, adult life and now I am a middle aged man.

No one wants to fight me. I never had to fight. Nor did those close to me.

I feel like I was instructed properly.

[obiwanquixote]

The way you describe Okinawan karate reminds me of old style kung fu schools and boxing gyms. You show up to do work, and the coach/sensei/instructor walks around giving tips. I imagine the hardest working and most talented get more instruction while the ones who are just taking up space get less. The student learns what the student is hungry to learn.

[mrfreddorenton]

Sounds like a lot of the problems I have with traditional karate was invented by the Japanese spreaders rather than the Okinawan inventors. I've got a lot of studying to do.

[BosunMJames]

I wish my sensei could've seen this video. He obviously adhered to the traditional way of Okinawan karate. I can't tell you how many times he would tell me my stances didn't need to be so low, that it wasn't practical. Well done Jesse, I enjoy all your videos about karate.

[steve]

I really enjoyed this as I never realised there was any difference. I used to train in shotokan but arthritis has stopped that now. I really think the Okinawan style appeals to me as a more pure form of this martial art. A lot of karate seems to be more sport than art to me now.