karate
Karate is a striking martial art originating in Okinawa, Japan. Its training centers on the development of punches, kicks, and blocks, with practitioners working to deliver and deflect strikes using the hands, feet, and other natural weapons of the body. Training incorporates kata, which are structured solo sequences of techniques performed against imagined opponents, and kumite, which involves partner-based sparring. These two formats together form the core practice framework of the art.
As a striking art, karate training generally emphasizes developing stand-up offensive and defensive techniques, building physical conditioning, and refining the precision and timing of hand and foot strikes. Practitioners typically train both alone and with partners, using repetition to build muscle memory in blocking and attacking movements. Kata practice develops technical form, while kumite provides experience applying those techniques in a dynamic setting against resistance.
The karate family includes a number of distinct sub-styles, each with its own characteristics. Ashihara kaikan focuses on sabaki angling and full-contact formats; Budokan karate represents a Malaysian-founded Shotokan-lineage system; Enshin kaikan combines sabaki movement with knockdown rules and grabbing; Genseiryū incorporates aerial and spinning techniques; Gōjū-ryū draws on Okinawan hard-soft principles and breathing methods; Isshin-ryū synthesizes Okinawan approaches; Motobu-ryu preserves Okinawan family tradition; Naha-Te represents a historical Okinawan lineage; Seidokaikan practices full-contact karate; and Shidōkan integrates knockdown, kickboxing, and grappling rounds. Each is covered in the sections below.
Styles & branches of karate
Ashihara kaikan
Origin: Japan · Type: Striking · Lineage: karate
sabaki (angling) full-contact karate Wikipedia →
Budokan karate
Type: Striking · Lineage: karate
Malaysian-founded shotokan-lineage karate Wikipedia →
Enshin kaikan
Origin: Japan · Type: Striking · Lineage: karate
sabaki knockdown karate with grabbing Wikipedia →
Genseiryū
Type: Striking · Lineage: karate
karate style with aerial/spinning techniques Wikipedia →
Gōjū-ryū
Origin: Japan · Type: Striking · Lineage: karate
hard-soft Okinawan karate: circular blocks, sanchin breathing Wikipedia →
Isshin-ryū
Origin: Japan · Type: Striking · Lineage: karate
Okinawan karate synthesis: vertical punch, snap kicks Wikipedia →
Motobu-ryu
Type: Striking · Lineage: karate
Motobu family Okinawan karate/ti Wikipedia →
Naha-Te
Origin: Japan (Okinawa) · Type: Striking · Lineage: karate
historical Naha lineage of Okinawan te Wikipedia →
Seidokaikan
Origin: Japan · Type: Striking · Lineage: karate
full-contact karate; birthed K-1 kickboxing Wikipedia →
Shidōkan
Origin: Japan · Type: Striking · Lineage: karate
knockdown karate + kickboxing/grappling rounds Wikipedia →
Shitō-ryū
Origin: Japan · Type: Striking · Lineage: karate
kata-rich karate style bridging Shuri and Naha lineages Wikipedia →
Shotokan
Origin: Japan · Type: Striking · Lineage: karate
most-practiced karate style: long stances, decisive single strikes Wikipedia →
Shuri-ryū
Origin: United States · Type: Striking · Lineage: karate
early American karate synthesis (Trias) Wikipedia →
Shuri-Te
Origin: Japan (Okinawa) · Type: Striking · Lineage: karate
historical Shuri lineage of Okinawan te Wikipedia →
Shōrei-ryū
Type: Striking · Lineage: karate
Okinawan karate: strength and rooted stances Wikipedia →
Shūdōkan
Origin: Japan · Type: Striking · Lineage: karate
Toyama-lineage karate style Wikipedia →
Uechi-ryū
Origin: Japan · Type: Striking · Lineage: karate
Okinawan karate from Fujian roots: conditioning, sanchin Wikipedia →
Wadō-ryū
Origin: Japan · Type: Striking · Lineage: karate
karate blended with jujutsu evasion (taisabaki) Wikipedia →
Gear to expect. Striking training typically calls for gloves, hand wraps, shin guards, and a mouthguard — your school will tell you exactly what, and when. New students rarely need to buy anything for a trial class.
Find your martial art →Related striking styles
Classification and facts from our open-data taxonomy (Wikidata CC0 base + our editorial classification). Where a fact (like origin) isn't recorded, we leave it out rather than guess. Methodology.