5 Major Style of Karate
🏯 The Five Major Styles of True KarateTrue Karate is rooted in Okinawa and Japan, and only five primary systems are recognized as legitimate and historically authentic.
Each of these lineages developed from the same foundations of discipline, character, and technical mastery — but each expresses the art through its own philosophy and movement.
Below is an overview of the five major styles of Karate, recognized worldwide for their authenticity and contribution to the legacy of the martial arts.
🥋 1. Shotokan-Ryu (松濤館流)Founder: Gichin Funakoshi (1868–1957)
Origin: Okinawa → Japan
Shotokan is the most widely practiced style of Karate in the world. Founded by Gichin Funakoshi, it emphasizes long stances, powerful linear techniques, and precise timing.
The name “Shotokan” comes from Funakoshi’s pen name Shoto (meaning “pine waves”), and kan (“hall”), referring to the first official dojo built in Tokyo.
Shotokan training focuses on kihon (basics), kata (forms), and kumite (sparring) — blending strong technique with deep philosophical values such as humility, respect, and moral character.
It is also the foundation of the Japan Karate Association (JKA), which continues to preserve and spread authentic Karate globally.
🥋 2. Goju-Ryu (剛柔流)Founder: Chojun Miyagi (1888–1953)
Origin: Naha, Okinawa
Goju-Ryu means “Hard and Soft Style,” reflecting the combination of powerful strikes (Go) and circular, flowing techniques (Ju).
It integrates deep breathing methods from Chinese martial arts and emphasizes close-range combat, joint locks, and body conditioning.
Miyagi named the style after a line in the Bubishi, an ancient Chinese martial text:
“Everything in the universe is governed by the way of inhaling and exhaling, of hardness and softness.”
Goju-Ryu is known for kata such as Sanchin and Tensho, which develop inner strength, breathing control, and spiritual balance — key pillars of true Okinawan Karate.
🥋 3. Shito-Ryu (糸東流)Founder: Kenwa Mabuni (1889–1952)
Origin: Shuri and Naha, Okinawa
Shito-Ryu is a comprehensive system that blends the techniques of Shuri-te and Naha-te. Its founder, Kenwa Mabuni, was a student of both Anko Itosu (the teacher of Gichin Funakoshi) and Kanryo Higaonna, the master of Naha-te.
Mabuni created Shito-Ryu to honor his teachers — combining Shi (from “Itosu”) and To (from “Higaonna”) in the name.
This style preserves a wide range of kata and emphasizes both speed and precision, balancing linear attacks with circular, flowing defenses.
Shito-Ryu practitioners value technical variety, grace of movement, and devotion to traditional kata practice, which form the essence of its identity.
🥋 4. Wado-Ryu (和道流)Founder: Hironori Otsuka (1892–1982)
Origin: Japan
Wado-Ryu means “Way of Peace and Harmony.” It was developed by Hironori Otsuka, who combined the principles of Karate and Japanese Jujutsu into a fluid, efficient system.
Unlike some other styles, Wado-Ryu emphasizes evasion, redirection, and body movement (taisabaki) over direct confrontation.
It reflects the Japanese concept of wa, meaning harmony — blending Karate technique with the philosophy of peaceful conflict resolution.
Otsuka, who trained under Funakoshi, sought to refine Karate into an art that embodies both martial effectiveness and spiritual peace.
🥋 5. Shorin-Ryu (小林流)Founder: Choshin Chibana (1885–1969)
Origin: Shuri, Okinawa
Shorin-Ryu translates to “Small Forest Style,” and it represents one of the earliest Okinawan Karate systems.
Rooted in the teachings of Anko Itosu and Sokon Matsumura, it focuses on speed, natural stances, and agility rather than brute strength.
Shorin-Ryu closely preserves the techniques of old Shuri-te, emphasizing light footwork, rapid strikes, and balance.
It is often considered the style most faithful to the original Okinawan fighting traditions, where efficiency and spirit were valued over force.
🏆 The Common Spirit of All True Karate Although each style has its own flavor, the heart of Karate remains the same — character before combat.
All five of these systems share the same moral foundation: discipline, humility, respect, and continuous self-improvement.
At Claycomb Academy of Martial Arts, we honor this legacy by teaching authentic Japanese Karate — upholding the traditions, techniques, and philosophies that define the art in its truest form.
“Karate begins and ends with respect.” – Gichin Funakoshi
Each of these lineages developed from the same foundations of discipline, character, and technical mastery — but each expresses the art through its own philosophy and movement.
Below is an overview of the five major styles of Karate, recognized worldwide for their authenticity and contribution to the legacy of the martial arts.
🥋 1. Shotokan-Ryu (松濤館流)Founder: Gichin Funakoshi (1868–1957)
Origin: Okinawa → Japan
Shotokan is the most widely practiced style of Karate in the world. Founded by Gichin Funakoshi, it emphasizes long stances, powerful linear techniques, and precise timing.
The name “Shotokan” comes from Funakoshi’s pen name Shoto (meaning “pine waves”), and kan (“hall”), referring to the first official dojo built in Tokyo.
Shotokan training focuses on kihon (basics), kata (forms), and kumite (sparring) — blending strong technique with deep philosophical values such as humility, respect, and moral character.
It is also the foundation of the Japan Karate Association (JKA), which continues to preserve and spread authentic Karate globally.
🥋 2. Goju-Ryu (剛柔流)Founder: Chojun Miyagi (1888–1953)
Origin: Naha, Okinawa
Goju-Ryu means “Hard and Soft Style,” reflecting the combination of powerful strikes (Go) and circular, flowing techniques (Ju).
It integrates deep breathing methods from Chinese martial arts and emphasizes close-range combat, joint locks, and body conditioning.
Miyagi named the style after a line in the Bubishi, an ancient Chinese martial text:
“Everything in the universe is governed by the way of inhaling and exhaling, of hardness and softness.”
Goju-Ryu is known for kata such as Sanchin and Tensho, which develop inner strength, breathing control, and spiritual balance — key pillars of true Okinawan Karate.
🥋 3. Shito-Ryu (糸東流)Founder: Kenwa Mabuni (1889–1952)
Origin: Shuri and Naha, Okinawa
Shito-Ryu is a comprehensive system that blends the techniques of Shuri-te and Naha-te. Its founder, Kenwa Mabuni, was a student of both Anko Itosu (the teacher of Gichin Funakoshi) and Kanryo Higaonna, the master of Naha-te.
Mabuni created Shito-Ryu to honor his teachers — combining Shi (from “Itosu”) and To (from “Higaonna”) in the name.
This style preserves a wide range of kata and emphasizes both speed and precision, balancing linear attacks with circular, flowing defenses.
Shito-Ryu practitioners value technical variety, grace of movement, and devotion to traditional kata practice, which form the essence of its identity.
🥋 4. Wado-Ryu (和道流)Founder: Hironori Otsuka (1892–1982)
Origin: Japan
Wado-Ryu means “Way of Peace and Harmony.” It was developed by Hironori Otsuka, who combined the principles of Karate and Japanese Jujutsu into a fluid, efficient system.
Unlike some other styles, Wado-Ryu emphasizes evasion, redirection, and body movement (taisabaki) over direct confrontation.
It reflects the Japanese concept of wa, meaning harmony — blending Karate technique with the philosophy of peaceful conflict resolution.
Otsuka, who trained under Funakoshi, sought to refine Karate into an art that embodies both martial effectiveness and spiritual peace.
🥋 5. Shorin-Ryu (小林流)Founder: Choshin Chibana (1885–1969)
Origin: Shuri, Okinawa
Shorin-Ryu translates to “Small Forest Style,” and it represents one of the earliest Okinawan Karate systems.
Rooted in the teachings of Anko Itosu and Sokon Matsumura, it focuses on speed, natural stances, and agility rather than brute strength.
Shorin-Ryu closely preserves the techniques of old Shuri-te, emphasizing light footwork, rapid strikes, and balance.
It is often considered the style most faithful to the original Okinawan fighting traditions, where efficiency and spirit were valued over force.
🏆 The Common Spirit of All True Karate Although each style has its own flavor, the heart of Karate remains the same — character before combat.
All five of these systems share the same moral foundation: discipline, humility, respect, and continuous self-improvement.
At Claycomb Academy of Martial Arts, we honor this legacy by teaching authentic Japanese Karate — upholding the traditions, techniques, and philosophies that define the art in its truest form.
“Karate begins and ends with respect.” – Gichin Funakoshi