Two types that represent karate! Detailed explanation of traditional karate and actual battle karate schools and features

Karate, which has become the official event of the Tokyo Olympics, is one of the many Japanese martial arts that attracts the attention of foreigners. However, when explaining to people overseas, I think that there are so many types that you may not know what to talk about.

So, this time, I would like to introduce in detail the two types of karate and the representative schools in each.

There are two main types of karate.

There is a theory that there are about 200 types and schools of karate in total. However, in the case of karate, which is widespread all over the world and has a large number of derived schools, the total number cannot be grasped.

When thinking about the classification of karate, it is recommended to start with the following two typical types.

Traditional karate (non-contact karate)

Traditional karate is a general term for sizing karate that avoids direct hits. Traditional karate, in which games and lessons are played based on old-fashioned traditional techniques, has the following characteristics.

• Emphasis on pattern practice
• Emphasis on philosophy and etiquette
• The time is fast and wide
• Do not take a low kick
• Adopting a dan level system

Practical karate (full contact karate)

Practical karate is a general term for karate that adopts the rules of direct hitting. Practical karate was popularized by Mas Oyama, the founder of Kyokushin Karate.

• Kick or poke other than the important part such as the face, and decide the victory or defeat by the damage
• Shorter than traditional karate
• There are more combinations than traditional karate

A typical school in traditional karate

The following four major schools are typical of traditional karate.

Shotokan style

It is a school that is popular all over the world and is learned by the most people. The strength of the Shotokan style is that it is a one-shot kill from a long distance. The movement of each technique is dynamic, and the weight of the technique makes it easy to give a cool impression to the spectator.

Goju-ryu

It is a school that has strengths such as hitting and grabbing from a close distance. The basis of training is a body that can withstand being hit by the opponent and training the inside by breathing Sanchin. Generally, it is called defensive karate.

Shito-ryu

It is a karate with a very beautiful shape that follows the flow of both Shuri-te and Naha-te. This school, which places particular emphasis on defense, has the characteristic of parrying the opponent's attack and then counterattacking. And in addition to thrusting and kicking, techniques also include throwing and counterattacks.

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Wado style

It is a school that combines the karate technique unique to Shotoukan and the mainland jujutsu. Because it follows the flow of Jiu-jitsu, it tends to have a lot of throwing and footing. Another major feature of Wado-ryu is that after defeating the opponent, an attack similar to a joint technique is performed.

Typical school in practice karate

There are five types of practical karate that are famous.

Kyokushin Kaikan

It is the head family of full contact karate that the founder Mas Oyama advocated a direct blow. Currently, Mr. Shokei Matsui is the representative. Most of the full contact karate is derived from Kyokushin Kaikan. In daily practice, in addition to pattern practice and promised kumite, sparring is also performed.

Shinkyokushinkai

This is the name of the organization after the death of its founder, Mas Oyama, represented by Kenji Midori. It is characterized by a large amount of media exposure, and the world championships are also televised. This school of competition values the basics very much. The tournament is subdivided according to weight, age, and color of the obi, and it is a big attraction that a wide range of people can enjoy karate.

Kyokushinkan

It is an organization created by Hatsuo Royama, the chief advisor of the former Kyokushin Kaikan. Our mission is to properly inherit, disseminate and develop both the philosophy of martial arts karate and the spirit of Kyokushin, without being influenced by the trends of the times. It is also the only organization in the Kyokushin Meristem that plays games that allow facial attacks by technique.

Seidokaikan

Kazuyoshi Ishii was born independently from Ashihara Kaikan. It is possible to grasp and has features that are closer to practice. At Seidokaikan, only advanced players can receive K-1 instruction. And Masaaki Satake, who once pulled the K-1 Japanese heavyweight division, is also from this school.

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Daido Juku

In addition to the Kyokushin hand faceless rule, it is a school that incorporates various techniques such as head-butting, throwing, ground fighting, and batting. The introduction page of the group also says "Mixed Martial Arts Pioneer". The major features of Daido Juku are that it has easy-to-understand rules for the viewer and is highly practical and safe. Wear your own armor on your head.

Summary

There are so many types of karate that attract attention from overseas that the total number cannot be grasped.

Therefore, when a foreigner asks you about Japanese martial arts and karate, please tell us that there are two types of karate: traditional karate based on old-fashioned traditional techniques and practical karate that can be hit directly.

And when you are asked for a more specific explanation, it is a good idea to teach the four major schools of traditional karate and the five schools that are attracting the most attention among practical karate.

This article is a partial re-edit of the article published in Nihongo Biyori by KARUTA.
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