There are way too many to count! First you can divide it by the country where it is currently practices. While the source countries are considered Okinawa, Japan and Korea, there are also variations developed in many other countries, including the US. And there are divisions within the countries. In Okinawa, there are three major divisions, and each of those has dozens of sub-groups.
Yes and No. The primary influences of karate can be traced back to a single area, but as it 'travelled' from country to country, local skills were mixed in to create something different. Karate originated on the island of Okinawa, now a part of Japan. It was created by combining the local Okinawan art of Te with influences of Chinese Kung Fu.
Several hundred years later, Okinawan teachers went to Japan and taught karate there. Elements of the existing Martial Arts were incorporated and merged to become various styles of Japanese Karate.
From Japan, karate was taught in Korea, merging with the native martial arts there to develop a slightly new style. Each of the styles puts the focus on slightly different things. But if one watches a variety of skilled practitioners, you will begin to see differences and similarities between the different branches. But the ultimate goal of all karate-ka is to become a better person.
There are dozens and dozens of styles of Karate. Three of the major divisions are based on the primary country, Okinawa, Japan and Korea. All of the types have a large part of their origins in the Karate of Okinawa. For starters:
Goju-ryu (founded by Chojun Miyagi in 1930) - student of Kanryo Higaonna
Shito-ryu (founded by Kenwa Mabuni in 1932) - student of Kanryo Higaonna and Anko Itosu primarily
Shotokan (founded by Gichin Funakoshi in 1936) - student of Anko Azato and Anko Itosu
Wado-ryu (founded by Hironori Ohtsuka in 1938) - student of Gichin Funakoshi and Shinzaburo Nakayama
There are dozens, of not hundreds, of styles of karate. Here is a quick sampling of some of the more well known, each of them can be broken down into multiple sub-styles.
Okinawa
* Shorin Ryu * Goju Ryu * Isshin Ryu * Shito Ryu * Wado Ryu * Chito Ryu * Shudokan * Kyokushin * Shuri Ryu * Uechi Ryu
Japan
* Shodokan
Korea
* Tae Kwon Do * Tang Soo Do
There are undreds of karate styles. ANd eaach one is differnt to other in some way or other.
Each school teaches a specific style. There is no 'regular' karate. There are many similarities between all of the styles, with a few differences.
Wada ryu karate is a form of karate that has influences from all the main styles of karate, but the only differences are in the kata's. for example, the pinan's and unsu are from Wada ryu style.
The styles you are thinking of are Tae Kwan Do, and Northern Shaolin Kung Fu; Karate emphasizes economy of movement, so it frowns a lot on "fancy kicks." That is one thing all Karate styles are in agreement on, despite the differences of opinion on how to train and what is better to emphasize, Kata or Kumite. All Karate styles pretty much agree, fancy kicks are a big no-no; they waste too much energy, and precious seconds.
There are literally hundreds of karate styles. Shoto kan is arguably the most popular. It has most schools in the world compared to other styles.
There are literally hundreds of karate styles. Shoto kan is arguably the most popular. It has most schools in the world compared to other styles.
{| |- | That could be Goju Ryu. It is one of the original styles of karate. It came from Okinawa. |}
Karate-do originated in Okinawa, which is now a part of Japan, but is a fusion of both Okinawan and Chinese Martial arts techniques. The word Karate literally translates as "Empty Hand" - however, it's origins also translate to "China Hand". Karate, or Karate-do, is one of several Japanese Budo (Martial Way) arts that has many styles. Other Do arts are: Aikido Kendo (Sword) Judo Kyudo (Bow/Mounted Archery) There are many styles of Japanese Karate, as there are many other styles of Korean Karate and the styles of other countries. However, Karate is historically traced to Okinawa and China. Some different styles of Japanese Karate are: Shotokan Shorin-Ryu Isshin-Ryu Goju-Ryu The term "Ryu" comes from "Ryuku", which is the name of the islands of which Okinawa is a part. These are a few of many different Japanese Karate styles, but all are descendants or variations on the original ancient styles. Differences can be in technique, stance, etc., but most Karate forms are similar in nature.
It would be hard to generalize a difference. Karate, while it focuses on striking, it also involves grappling techniques. The styles differ in the kata that they learn, but even those show a great deal of similarity. The basic blocks, kicks and punches are extremely similar.
Okinawa Karate * Shorin Ryu * GoJu Ryu * Shito Ryu * Wado Ryu Korean Karate * Tang Soo Do * Tae Kwon Do * Hapkido Japanese Karate * Shotokan
Shorin-ryu, Shotokan, Goji-ryu, kenpo, shito-ryu, wado-ryu
Karate is a martial art. It originated in Okinawa around 200 years ago.
There is no "Plain Karate." Karate originated in Okinawa. It has spread throughout the world. It has been modified in many places and there is what is often referred to as Japanese Karate, Korean Karate and even American Karate. They all incorporate aspects of the original styles from Okinawa, and incorporate local martial arts as well.