Styles in Karate

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Stop and really think about what that word, style, really means. It is illuminating when you really consider its meaning.

Style: a particular, distinctive, or characteristic mode of action or manner of acting. It must be noted that there are at least twenty-two different definitions and I chose the one above as closest to its use when referring to “karate styles.”

A generic meaning for sure and what we call styles fits perfectly because each style has a signature that is particular to that style, distinctive to separate it from other styles and has characteristic modes of action that speak to that style. Regardless, as you already know the fundamental principles of human movement underlie those very styles of movement. Structure is structure, balance is balance and body alignments as to joints connecting arms, hands, feet, to legs, etc., all function efficiently when properly aligned, etc., regardless of the style that identifies that ... style.

When you truly break down karate as a skill it is often more accurately described as the old Okinawan term of “Ti.” In the very beginning it truly was only “one thing.” It was applying physics of physiokinetic principles to achieve goals which in this case was unarmed combat against armed or unarmed adversaries. 

In the very beginning of its existence it was not a style per day, but a skill of the body to apply violence in response to violence to protect and defend oneself, one’s family and one’s village. When a more competitive aspect arose as the evolution of Ti and the Okinawan peoples reached a certain point the different villages named Ti so that everyone would know whose master and Ti was being taught and practiced. To further differentiate Ti as to the village the master would tweak how it is applied in a way that made it distinctive to that village. 

Much like in the mid-fifties Shimabuku Tatsuo took parts of those village descendants to create Isshinryu that many who know of it first differentiated itself from the others by utilizing certain traits like the vertical fist vs. the twisting fist. A very good example of the evolution of karate from Ti to its variances today like Shorin, Goju and Uechi karate. 

It was not till the late 1800’s on after that it began to take on a particular “style” resulting in the dropping of “Ti” toward a more stylized named “style.” Fundamentally and principle-base it is and always will be Ti.

When you consider that the physio-principles of the body do NOT change it validated the lack of a need to classify it into a style.

This brings us back to the concept of karate as classified as styles, it is truly only one thing that has simply been overlaid with what we call a "book cover" so as to give it a uniqueness with traits that distinguish it between those long ago village designations created as book covers, styles, that has further divided into many, many styles now listed as Okinawan karate. 

As I stated once earlier on this month, October 2020, styles don't exist except as labels to differentiate others from "the one" so in a commercialized world one can "sell their superior style from others" and enlist as many followers and students as possible. 

Something to meditate on as you progress and, Oh, there are a few articles out there that advocate letting go of the style for the sake of creativity and the continued evolution and continuation of Ti for the future. This is a way to think of styles making it necessary, efficient and effective in letting go of styles. 

Note: I am not advocating ridding karate of styles, to me styles are a teaching tool for the uninitiated novice because that stylized, systemized, ritualistic way is critical to set a solid understanding and foundation toward mastery and we don't have to let go of the honor and respect and traditional ways of those who came before but simply convey honor, respect and progression so their work may go on throughout the ages. 

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