Japanese VS Okinawa Karate - What's the difference?

Pretty serious title huh? Well don't expect too much haha. Today as I was standing in front of the photocopier at work printing out countless sheets of pics from the previous Okinawa trip, a staff from a different department couldn’t help notice my karate photos. Well, nothing more uncomfortable for me than someone wanting to chat about the karate I do, especially when I should have been spending that time making money for the company. Anyhow, I first had to endure a lengthy story about how they used to do this, this and that, followed up by how their son does some kind of cool hybrid karate. When I did finally inform the keen chap that I did Okinawan Karate, not to my surprise was I followed up with the question – “So what’s the difference between Okinaaarrwen and Japanese Kararrtee? Isn’t all Karaaarrtee Japanese?”   

I’m often asked the same question, and all I know is the karate I am doing is what makes me happy. I’m aware if you ask Uncle Google for advice, many expert opinions will be presented on a silver platter. Diverting from the physical aspects of Japanese Vs Okinawa karate however, I thought I might actually sit down and ask myself what exactly are the differences I have experienced over the decades? Obviously not all Japanese and Okinawan Karate clubs out there will fit to what I have mentioned below, so before getting your sweet-smelling little panties in a twist, these are my opinions and only that.

Japanese Karate	Okinawa Karate
1. Guard that info and kata like there’s no tomorrow – But what information is there really to guard when the sensei don’t actually know themselves?	1. Share as much info as you can in order to preserve the Okinawan culture. The more who know, the better chance of preservation.
2. Hold back the teaching – If the student “knows” too much too soon, there won’t be anything else we can teach, unless we make up more drills; copy & paste from Sensei Youtube; heck lets add in some jujitsu & mma too.	2. Teach accordingly to student pace – You slow ass: No probs, Gekisai for the next decade. Ooohh you pretty good: Cool, time you learnt the next kata.
3. Rank = the kata you learn. You can’t learn Supermanpie until you turn 6th dan…..sorry mate!	3. New kata? Just join the group and follow on. Come time to learning it, will make things so much easier & quicker.
4. Moving up in rank is the major goal. Let’s get all them tips and stripes boys!	4. Building up a deeper understanding by self-analysing takes priority.
5. I want to be in the spotlight – Look at me - I’m the new kaicho. Bow down to me peasant – I have the secrets to all the bunkai.	5. I want to avoid the spotlight – Oi mate, you be the head honcho. Nah – you do it. Nah, we all equal….and bunkai? Go figure it out yaself!
6. The instructor always has an answer regardless of being true or not.	6. The sensei will admit or will confirm with others if they are uncertain of something. Sorry, I don’t know…
7. You’re late – Drop n give me 50.	7. You’re late – Did you bring me a coffee? Just bow in and stretch up before joining the others.
8. Manipulate others – Call me Mr Pyramid Karate Scheme Man. You are my subcontractor, go and make that $$ for me now you cretin.	8. Motivate Others – Yeah you’re pretty crap, but keep on going – Okinawa wasn’t built in a day.
9. You’re a black belt now – Go open up a dojo so we can grow and grow. The bigger the numbers the badder we are!	9. You’re a 6th or 7th dan now – Cool, stick together so we can all grow and make this dojo even stronger and pass on our knowledge to the next gen.
10. It's cold today.... Osssssssssssssssssssu. Legs wider ...... Ossssssu. Kiai on the 10th Ossssssu. I'm hungry...Osssssssu. CYA later Osssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssu	10. Huh?