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? |
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