Today's Traditional Karate Styles

Almost all of the historical records of Karate have been passed entirely through personal oral transmission from master to disciple. The four main styles of Traditional Karate-do existing in Japan today are: Goju-Ryu/Kai, Shito-Ryu, Shotokan, and Wado-Ryu:

Goju-Ryu developed out of Naha-te, its popularity primarily due to the success of Kanryo Higaonna (1853-1915). Higaonna opened a dojo in Naha-te using eight forms brought from China. His best student, Chojun Miyagi (1888-1953) later founded Goju-Ryu, 'hard-soft way' in 1930. In Goju-Ryu much emphasis is placed on combining soft circular blocking techniques with quick strong counter attacks delivered in rapid succession. In 1935, Gogen Yamaguchi (1909-1989) officially formed the All Japan Goju Kai Karate-Do Association, which is still in existence today as the Japan Karate Federation (JKF).

Shinto-Ryu was founded by Kenwa Mabuni (1889-1952) in 1928 and was influenced directly by both Naha-te and Shuri-te. The name Shito is constructively derived from the combination of the Japanese characters of Mabuni's teachers' names - Ankoh Itosu and Kanryo Higaonna. Shinto-Ryu schools use a large number of Kata, about fifty, and is characterized by an emphasis on power in the execution of techniques.

Shotokan was founded by Gichin Funakoshi (1868-1957) in Tokyo in 1938. Funakoshi is considered to be the founder of modern karate. Born in Okinawa, he began to study karate with Yasutsune Azato, one of Okinawa's greatest experts in the art. In 1921 Funakoshi first introduced Karate to Tokyo. In 1936, at nearly 70 years of age, he opened his own training hall. The dojo was called Shotokan after the pen name used by Funakoshi to sign poems written in his youth. Shotokan Karate is characterized by powerful linear techniques and deep strong stances.

Wado-Ryu, 'way of harmony', founded in 1939 is a system of karate developed from jujitsu and karate by Hienori Otsuka as taught by one of his instructors, Gichin Funakoshi. This style of karate combines basic movements of jujitsu with techniques of evasion, putting a strong emphasis on softness and the way of harmony or spiritual discipline.

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