International Karate

Hi ;There is a huge difference beweten Koryu and what is considered “traditional”, and that difference depends on the suffix used – “do” or “jutsu”.The “do” “tradition” reflects the philosophical, character building, personal growth aspect of the art.“do” tradition kumite is based on the japanese-sport kumite but not sporty-style sparring like you see today.Hohan Soken was a karate master of the highest calibre – head of the Matsumura Seito Shorin Ryu and learned what many people call “Hakutsuru” – Okinawan White Crane.He left Okinawa for 25 years to go to South America. Rumors say he killed a Yakuza when they tried to extort money from him to protect his business. As I stated, it’s what the “rumors” say.When he returned to Okinawa he saw a different art from what was there and was angered. He was told by the other Masters that the Japanese hard-pressed them to stop training “old-style” and adapt the new way. He refused.Matsumura Seito is one of the few lineages that still teach and do the Koryu – “jutsu” way.So we can say that karate”do” was a “softened” karate to appease the Japanese, who had taken over the Government in Okinawa.“jutsu” means skill. Prior to all the styles being established, the Okinawan arts were known as “bujutsu”, which is the same as the Chinese “wushu”.This is when you were taught “toudijutsu” which later became karatejutsu. “di” is the Okinawan dialect for hand “te” is Japanese.This is when your training used to movements of the kata, which contained Grappling techniques, which is originally THEE Okinawan art called “ti” (when used as a word) or “di” (when used as part of a term like “Toudi” = China Hand).You learned Pressure Point striking – Kyushojutsu;Throwing techniques – NagewazaJoint Locking – TuidijutsuEnergy Development and Release – Kiko (Qigong).Alignment – Body Mechanics;Healing with acupressure and using herbs.These are the differences beweten Koryu – Jutsu and Traditional – Do.No ranking system was used, however, a teacher would draught a document noting any student’s advancements, etc.One such document was written by Chojun Miyagi – Founder of Goju Ryu – noting Seiko Higa as having achieved Mastery under him. No other student of Miyagi received rank from him.The Belt system was adopted from Judo.The “do” styles have pre-arranged sparring and very basic “bunkai” but no extensive “tichiki” (an old term that predates “bunkai” and also refers to the hidden techniques in the kata).The karatedo punch is also different from Toudijutsu, which in the latter, is not always a punch.The karatedo punch is turned fully versus the jutsu which is only a 3/4 turn.The elbow points out to the side and almost-to fully extended as opposed to the jutsu which points towards the earth and the shape of the arm is kept “rounded”.As you see, in this short post there is a lot of detail illustrating what I feel are big differences, but there really is more.Ally yourself with someone who teaches in the Koryu mindset and you will not have to “supplement” as is the general consensus – you have to learn a grappling art and a striking art and a flying art, etc.If you learn the Koryu/Jutsu way, you will have all the things you will ever need.