Tomari-te
Tomari-te is a historical label for karate transmission associated with Tomari port and teachers including Kōsaku Matsumora.
The Karate Family
Naha-te
Naha-te identifies karate transmission associated with the Ryukyu port of Naha, especially Kanryō Higaonna and lineages including Gōjū-ryū.
Shuri-te
Shuri-te names karate transmission associated with the Ryukyu royal capital and teachers such as Sokon Matsumura and Ankō Itosu.
Okinawan Karate
Okinawan Karate developed from Ryukyuan martial traditions and later formed many lineages; it is a cultural family, not one uniform style.
Kyokushin Karate
Kyokushin is a full-contact karate tradition founded by Masutatsu Ōyama, known for knockdown competition, demanding conditioning, kata, and an international network of successor organisations.
Wadō-ryū Karate
Wadō-ryū is a Japanese karate tradition founded by Hironori Ōtsuka, integrating Okinawan karate with principles from Shindō Yōshin-ryū jujutsu and Japanese budō.
Shitō-ryū Karate
Shitō-ryū is a major karate tradition founded by Kenwa Mabuni, preserving extensive kata associated with the teachings of Ankō Itosu and Kanryō Higaonna.
Shotokan Karate
Shotokan is a major karate tradition shaped by Gichin Funakoshi’s teaching and later developed through university clubs and the Japan Karate Association.
Gōjū-ryū Karate
Gōjū-ryū is an Okinawan karate tradition founded by Chōjun Miyagi, combining forceful and yielding methods with kata, breathing, conditioning, and partner practice.
Gichin Funakoshi
Gichin Funakoshi (1868–1957) was an Okinawan educator who helped introduce Karate to mainland Japan and inspired the Shotokan tradition.