Okinawan martial arts refers to the martial arts, such as karate, tegumi and kobudō, which originated among the indigenous people of Okinawa Island.

The open practice and eventual popularity of Okinawan karate blossomed in 1901 when the Commissioner of Education, Shintaro Ogawa, recommended that it be included in the physical …

Dec 20, 2022 · There are 5 main styles of Okinawan Karate: Goju Ryu, Shito Ryu, Uechi Ryu, Shorin Ryu, and the more recently created Matsubayashi-Ryu. From their traditional roots in mainland …

Feb 15, 2025 · Discover the true history of Okinawan karate and how it differs from modern martial arts. Learn how traditional training focuses on real-world self-defense, discipline, and ancient techniques …

What many people may not realize is that Okinawa is the birthplace of karate, and that the martial art is deeply rooted in the history and culture of the islands. At its heart, karate is a martial art dedicated to …

This occupation, combined with a ban on weapons for Okinawan natives, created a fertile environment for the blossoming of Okinawan martial arts within the Ryukyus’ gentry, honing Te further as a …

Uechi-Ryu (上地流) represents a time-honored Okinawan karate style known as the “Style of Uechi”. Originally referred to as Pangai-noon, translating to “half-hard, half-soft”, this martial art underwent a …

We would like to introduce you to five main styles: Goju-ryu, Uechi-ryu, Shorin-ryu (小林流&少林流), and Matsubayashi-ryu. Below you will find a short introduction to each style. Goju-ryu (剛柔流) is one of …

Generally, Okinawan karate schools did not have individual names for styles like schools in Japan. Several branches of traditional Shōrin-ryū exist today in both Okinawa and the western world.

Aug 28, 2025 · This martial art, now practiced by millions worldwide, traces its origins to the small island of Okinawa, where it developed through a complex interplay of indigenous fighting methods, Chinese …