Every MAJOR Karate Style Explained In 8 Minutes

Goju-ryu. Goju-ryu, which translates to hard-soft style, is a fascinating blend of powerful strikes and smooth circular movements. Founded by Chojun Miyagi in 1930, this Okinawan karate style strikes a balance between forceful kicks and punches and more fluid techniques like joint locks and throws. What sets Goju-ryu apart is its focus on correct breathing, especially in the foundational Sanchin and Tensho-kata. These forms emphasize body conditioning and the interplay between hard and soft techniques. Whether you're delivering a strong linear punch or executing a graceful defensive block, Goju-ryu teaches practitioners to harmonize strength and flexibility, making it a versatile and dynamic martial art. Kyokushin. Kyokushin, founded by the legendary Masutatsu Oyama in 1964, is the tough-as-nails style of karate you don't want to mess with. Known for its full-contact sparring, Kyokushin throws you into the deep end with bare-knuckle fights using minimal protective gear. This style is all about real combat, emphasizing strength, discipline, and intense training. Oyama's vision was clear. If you want proof of skill, you need real fighting. Kyokushin practitioners undergo brutal tests like the 100-man kumite, where they face off against 100 opponents in succession. It's this hardcore approach that has made Kyokushin a global powerhouse, respected and practiced in over 120 countries. Storyu. Storyu, karate, founded by Kenwa Mabuni in 1934, is a hybrid style that beautifully merges the techniques of shurite and nahate. Mabuni, a dedicated student of both Anko Itosu and Kanryo Higaonna, created a system that blends hard, linear movements with soft, circular ones. Storyu boasts an extensive catalog of kata, reflecting Mabuni's encyclopedic knowledge of martial arts. It's this unique mix of physical power and fluid grace that makes Shitoryu stand out. Whether you're mastering powerful stances or intricate defensive moves, Storyu offers a well-rounded approach that honors its rich Okinawan heritage. Shorinryu. Shorinryu, one of the oldest Okinawan karate styles, was named by Choshin Chibana in 1933, though its roots stretch back much further. This style emphasizes natural movements, quick evasion, and flexible stances embodying a seamless blend of power and grace. Its techniques are inspired by the traditional shurite school and the teachings of legendary masters like Anko Itosu and Matsumura Sokan. Unique to Shorinryu is its distinctive punching method, which aligns the bones of the arm for maximum impact. With a focus on kata, punches, and kicks, Shorinryu preserves the rich martial heritage of Okinawa while promoting fluid and efficient self-defense techniques. Shotokan. Shotokan karate, developed by Gichin Funakoshi and his son Yoshitaka, is one of the most widely practiced styles of karate. Born in Okinawa, Funakoshi brought this martial art to Japan in the early 20th century, establishing university karate clubs that fueled its popularity. Shotokan is known for its deep, powerful stances and a focus on kihon, kata, and kumite. Funakoshi's poetic pen name, Shoto, inspired the name of the first dojo, Shotokan. This style emphasizes dynamic movements and powerful strikes, evolving into more fluid techniques at advanced levels. Wado-ryu. Wado-ryu, founded by Hironori Otsuka in 1938, stands out in the karate world with its unique blend of karate and jujitsu. Unlike the hard-hitting styles, Wado-ryu emphasizes tai sabaki, or body management, to evade and redirect attacks rather than meeting force with force. With roots in Shindo Yoshin-ryu jujitsu and influences from Shito-ryu and Shotokan, Wado-ryu showcases fluid, graceful movements and shorter stances. The philosophy behind Wado-ryu is about harmony and using an opponent's energy against them. It's a dynamic, strategic approach that prioritizes agility and precision over brute strength, making it a fascinating style to both practice and watch. Uechi-ryu. Uechi-ryu, originally called Pangai-nun, is a unique Okinawan karate style that translates to half-hard, half-soft. Founded by Kanbun Uechi after training in southern Chinese kung fu, Uechi-ryu combines linear and circular movements inspired by the tiger, dragon and crane. This style emphasizes body toughness and rapid, precise strikes, featuring distinctive techniques like the one-knuckle punch and spear hand. Kanbun's son, Keine, further developed and popularized Uechi-ryu, making it known for its practical self-defense applications. Ashihara. Ashihara karate, a modern and practical offshoot of Kyokushin karate, is designed for real-world self-defense. This full-contact style focuses on fighting multiple attackers and handling street fight scenarios. Ashihara karate incorporates techniques from Muay Thai, boxing and jiu-jitsu, making it a versatile and comprehensive martial art. Central to Ashihara is the sabaki method, which uses body positioning to turn an opponent's power against them. Its innovative katas, like the throwing kata and fighting kata, are tailored for practical combat, ensuring every move is effective in a real fight. Chito-ryu. Chito-ryu, founded by Dr. Tsuyoshi Chitose in 1946, is a unique blend of traditional Okinawan karate and modern medical science. Chitose, leveraging his medical knowledge, refined traditional techniques to make them more effective and safer for long-term practice. This style combines the strengths of shurite and nahate, incorporating both powerful strikes and fluid movements. Chito-ryu is also known for its practical self-defense techniques and health benefits, emphasizing correct body mechanics. Students of Chito-ryu practice distinctive katas like shihohai and train with traditional weapons such as the bo, tanfa and nunchaku, making it a well-rounded and dynamic martial art. Enshin. Enshin karate, created by Joko Ninomiya in 1988, is a dynamic full-contact style, known for its effective use of the sabaki method. An offshoot of Ashihara and kyokushin, enshin incorporates powerful strikes alongside judo-inspired sweeps and throws. The sabaki method focuses on using an opponent's force against them, employing circular footwork and evasive movements to find advantageous angles for attack. Enshin is also famous for its sabaki challenge, an annual no-gear tournament that emphasizes knockdowns and knockouts. With katas designed to mirror realistic combat scenarios, enshin karate blends traditional techniques with modern practicality, fostering both physical skill and inner strength. Kishimoto-di. Kishimoto-di is a rare and ancient style of shurite, the predecessor of shorin-ryu karate. Named after Kishimoto Soko, this small system focuses on soft forms characterized by twisting and sinking movements. With only four kata and no weapon forms of its own, Kishimoto-di teaches principles like avoid by an inch, attack and defense as one, and synchronizing body and technique. It emphasizes using core strength and the opponent's momentum, making it deceptively simple yet challenging to master. If you enjoyed this video then check out our video about different wrestling styles. Don't forget to subscribe for more.