Differences Between Okinawan Karate & Japanese Karate

Karate is the Asian form of material art. It was developed in Okinawa (Japan) in the early twentieth century. Karate is basically unarmed martial arts discipline employing kicking, striking and defensive blocking with arms and legs. With time, several karate style came into existence, including traditional as well as modern styles.

Karate can be divided into two forms - Okinawan Karate and Japanese Karate. As the name suggests, Okinawan Karate developed in Okinawa meanwhile Japanese Karate developed in Japan. Even though, Okinawa is in Japan but both of the karate form is having differences in their techniques and moves. Okinawa Karate has a lot of high stances opposed to Japanese karate which involves low and short stances and can often feel 'forced' especially for tall people and tend to be painful for kness/feet or back (particularly if done wrong)! Okinawa Karate is ideal for lazy people , who dont want to take much effort. It is a perfect self defense tool, as it involves practical, quick and effortless moves, just like everyday stances.

When Karate was introduced to Japan, many things changed. For example, people started competing. Most people dont know this, but Japanese karate practitioners actually changed many kata and added tons of new kumite techniques, for the sole purpose of scoring points in competitions. But in Okinawan, Karate is not a sport. It is a lifestyle.Karate's heritage is everywhere in Okinawa, and its become a natural part of their cultural identity,thatis simply make sense to compete in karate.

Next, we have something called 'tuidi',while Japanese karate approaches combat from a long distance range, Okinawan karate prefers a close range. Here's where tuidi comes to play. Tuidi is the Okinawan method of grabing, seizing, twisting and dislocating an opponent's joints. Quite naturally, this aspects of combat also involves other nasty things like choking, unbalancing, throwing, trapping hands, hiting pressure points and nerve bundles. These things are rarely taught in regular Jaoanese karate classes. It is because Japanese Karate was heavily influenced by pre-existing martial traditions when it was introduced from Okinawa. The original, short, fighting range was changed to a longer one and concepts like "maai" (engagement distancing) were borrowed straight from Japanese samurai words fencing (Kendo). Therefore, the concept of 'tuidi' is not important in Japanese Karate, but in Okinawan Karate it is still being practiced. A common Okinawan exercise for practising tuidi is called 'kakie' a sensory flow drill, often called "pushing hands" in the West.

Source : http: //www.karatebyjesse.com/10-differences-okinawan-karate-japanese-karate/