Prior to the nineteenth century, several karate styles had emerged on Okinawa; these were Shuri-te, Naha-te and Tomari-te.
These techniques were later combined into what is now known as kata, or empty hand fighting techniques. Over time, karate developed into what we know today as modern karate has lost much of its effectiveness as an effective self-defense martial art.
Goju-Ryu
Goju-Ryu training entails placing emphasis on blocking techniques as well as striking and throwing strikes, joint locks and throwing. Goju-Ryu is known to be very powerful style that looks “cool.” Practicing Goju-Ryu requires considerable physical challenge due to its emphasis on strength and flexibility training.
Kanryo Higaonna was the creator of Goju-Ryu. After numerous visits to Mainland China to study various armed and unarmed arts, he integrated these studies into Okinawa Te which eventually evolved into Goju-Ryu Karate.
Chojun Miyagi became his senior student and later brought the art back to Japan, popularizing Goju-Ryu karate there and becoming widely practiced. Today it remains one of the world’s most prevalent karate styles with fluid movements characterized by close-range fighting techniques like grabbing, trapping, throwing and joint locks as well as dynamic hand strikes and powerful kicks.
Shuri-Te
Karate can be an invaluable skill to have in an emergency or to reduce stress through its meditative movements, so if you are considering learning it it’s crucial that you find an instructor that will teach you ancient techniques safely and efficiently.
Shuri-te (, or Shuri Te) is the name of a striking martial art style developed in Shuri, once home of Ryukyu Kingdom capital city, as an art style characterized by linear movements and natural breathing, passed down through empty-handed forms called kata.
Tatsuo Shimabuku was born in Kyan Village and moved to Shuri at age 12 to study under Shinko Ganiku, who later taught him various kata and stances used by Shotokan style martial artists. Under him he learned various kata and techniques used later by Shotokan martial artists – including developing Chinese corkscrew punch and forearm conditioning, among many other striking techniques.
Naha-Te
Naha-Te is one of the original karate styles to emerge in Naha and was heavily influenced by Fujian White Crane Kung-Fu from Southern China, featuring powerful Sanchin kata forms as part of its repertoire.
Naha-te was developed by Kanryo Higaonna Sensei and later taught to Chojun Miyagi and Kenwa Mabuni (founders of Goj-Ryu and Shito-ryu respectively). Naha-te integrates hard and soft techniques as part of its basic method, known as gono (hard) and ju-no (soft).
Juhatsu Kyoda (founder of Uechi-ryu), studied under Higaonna Kanryo until his death in 1915. Uechi-ryu is an amalgamation of Naha-te and Chinese Shorin-ken techniques; initially called Pangai-noon (“half hard, half soft”) until 1940 when it was changed to Uechi-ryu; its long distance fighting style employing close hand attacks with circular movement techniques is called Uechi-ryu; students earning this rank are known as yudansha; however requirements differ between styles, organizations, and schools when attaining it.
Tomari-Te
Goju-Ryu, Shuri-Te, Naha-Te and Tomari-Te are four major styles that originate from Okinawa Island and their names reflect the villages where each style originated.
Anko Itosu is widely recognized as having contributed significantly to modern karate in many ways. He taught the technique known as kata, prearranged sequences designed to teach martial arts principles and stances, as well as spreading it into Okinawan schools.
Matsumura Kosaku (1829 – 1898) was another master who developed Tomari-Te style of fighting based on Southern China’s Fujian White Crane Kung Fu, focused on short distance fighting techniques with deep stances for close quarters combat.
Kenwa Mabuni established Shito-Ryu Karate by blending techniques from Itosu’s and Higaonna’s schools. This style teaches both hard and soft techniques with deep natural stances; there are 44 kata including weapon forms; these techniques can teach students self-defense without using excessive force or placing themselves in harm’s way.
My passion for martial arts goes beyond practice; it is a philosophy that shapes my writing, bringing a distinctive edge to my narratives and advice. I hold black belts in two martial arts disciplines and have competed internationally, experiences that enrich my storytelling with authenticity and excitement.