Karate is a popular discipline in America for children and adults alike. Like most martial arts, karate is not one-size-fits-all, and there are various philosophies and techniques that are characteristic of each school. Here is a little bit about the different types.

Almost all of the modern martial arts are traced in one form or another back to the 5th century Indian Prince Bodhidharma, and karate is no exception. Bodhidharma's goal was to create a set of exercises with an aim to strengthening both the mind and body. The exact origins of karate and how it evolved over the years into what it is today are foggy and basically unknown. However they came to be, there are four principal styles of karate practiced today in Japan and around the world: Goju-ryu, Shito-ryu, Wado-ryu, and Shatokan.

Goju-ryu

Goju-ryu comes from Naha, the capital city of the Japanese prefecture of Okinawa. Kanryo Higaonna, born there in 1851, was a bamboo craftsman and merchant who trained in martial arts during his off-time and gained knowledge and experience in China. It was one of his disciples who developed and taught the Goju-ryu style, wherein soft circular blocking techniques are taught along with counter attacks performed in rapid succession.

Shito-ryu

Created by artist Kenwa Mabuni in the 1920's, this style of karate is understandably highly artistic in nature. Its students focus on learning "katas," which are choreographed movements performed either by an individual alone or by a group. A kata may have 20-70 moves and are characterized by a series of steps and turns performed with precision. A kata can then be used in a sparring context. The power in Shito comes from the precise execution of the techniques.

Wado-ryu

Jujitsu figures prominently in this style as its techniques are combined with karate. Jujitsu focuses on attack techniques while the karate end focuses on evasion. Developed in 1930, the name Wado-ryu means "way of harmony" and stresses a balanced philosophy of both offense and defense.

Shotokan

This style was developed around the same time as Wado-ryu but it looks very different. Shotokan emphasizes the development of strength through the use of deep strong stances and the use of linear techniques.

Most American dojos today will use a combination of a few or even all of these different styles of karate to give students a broad and comprehensive set of skills. The fun for youth, especially, comes in the sense of achievement derived from the earning of different colors of belts. All students learn strength and discipline of self by learning and practicing this ancient and revered martial art.

If you are a student of Karate looking for the very best in high quality martial arts supply, contact the experts at RMB Martial Art Supplies (http://www.rmbmartialartssupplies.com/). Art Gib is a freelance writer.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, July 21st, 2009 at 9:37 pm and is filed under Martial Arts. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.