Okinawan vs Japanese Karate: The Differences Explained

What is the difference between Okinawan and Japanese Karate, and more importantly, why should you care? Karate originated in Okinawa and migrated to Japan resulting in a major cultural shift in the way Karate was taught. In this video we'll show you the major differences between the two and what that means for your training.

#karate
#shotokan
#shorinryu

[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.

[martinabreu]

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".

[camiloiribarren]

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

[jasoncaine]

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

[sully]

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)

[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.

[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.

[HedgeKnight]

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! 🙌🏽

[YoukaiSlayer]

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).

[Christianmartialartist]

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.

[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.🥋🥋🥋🥋🥋

[aquaquad]

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

[dougcullins]

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.

[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.

[Kobra]

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

[Berengier]

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

[Cailus]

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!

[dakentaijutsu]

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!

[bw]

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

[karatewithdanny]

Thank you for using a part of my clip!