The Close Relationship Between Karate and Kung Fu

Karate and Kung-fu share a close relationship. Karate was significantly influenced by Kung Fu, and these two martial arts are separated by only a slight degree. In Kobayashi Shorin-ryu, our foundational kata is Nahianchi Shodan, which embodies the fundamental principles of Shorin-ryu, reverberating in subsequent kata.

The development of Karate arose from the necessity for self-protection, and these techniques were carefully guarded and shared only with select family members or deserving students. The fighting concepts, like many aspects of Okinawan culture, were borrowed from the Chinese and adapted to suit the needs of the Okinawans. This martial art was collectively known as ToDe. However, when the Japanese assumed control of Okinawa, they systematically removed the Chinese influence, transforming ToDe. They even coined a new term, “Karate,” replacing the previous meaning of “Ming Hand.” Karate was incorporated into schools to promote physical education and create strong young men for the Japanese army. In the process, certain dangerous techniques were eliminated or concealed, resulting in the loss of the essence of what ToDe once represented.

Karate remains deeply connected to its roots, and although it may seem significantly different from Kung-fu at first glance, the two are more subtly related than they appear.

The Transformation of Karate and Its Deep Roots

Since the Meiji period, when Japan incorporated the former Ryukyu Kingdom into the Empire of Japan as Okinawa Prefecture, the true essence and roots of To-de have been obscured. We now only perceive faint traces of what Karate originally was, To-de. To uncover the concealed concepts and ideas, we must be willing to challenge the barriers that have been established to conform to the accepted and defined notion of Karate. Traditionalists in Karate believe that altering what has been passed down, including the katas, is an act of heresy. Chōshin Chibana Sensei, the founder of Kobayashi Shorin-ryu, is said to have shared this sentiment.

In its current form, Karate fulfills its purpose by offering students a means to strengthen both their minds and bodies. However, delving into a profound comprehension of Karate entails challenging conventional wisdom and uncovering the concealed concepts and ideas. To achieve this, we must embark on a journey to unlock the hidden meanings and insights waiting to be discovered.

Returning to Naihanchi Shodan, the core kata of Kobayashi Shorin-ryu, this kata represents the foundational principles of the system. To grasp this concept, we must decode it. The first clue provided by our ancestors is, “Everything is Naihanchi.” To unlock the secrets concealed within Naihanchi, we must also understand other katas such as Passai’s, Kusanku’s, and many more. Studying a kata is not merely about repeating its movements and making them strong; it requires feeling the kata and allowing your body to become one with it.

Traditional Karate exhibits a distinct visual contrast when compared to its Chinese counterparts, like Wing Chun. However, despite their differences, it’s essential to recognize their underlying connections. The roots of Karate can be traced back to Chinese martial arts. An open-minded individual who compares a Kung Fu form to an Okinawan form (Kata) will observe numerous similarities. Both systems employ the same stances, which are evident in their respective forms. Pay close attention to the arm movements, and while the Okinawan movements may appear smaller and more direct, they still bear the echoes of their Chinese origins.

Visually, Karate stands in stark contrast to its Kung Fu counterpart due to its emphasis on the aesthetics of Kata and a greater focus on raw power rather than delving into the foundational principles, of which there are many. The most apparent distinction when comparing Karate to Kung Fu lies in their rigidity and flexibility, representing polar opposites.

Unlocking the Hidden Meanings and Insights in Karate

As a dedicated Karate practitioner, my primary goal is continuous improvement in both my Karate skills and understanding. My approach goes beyond mere memorization of movements and aims to incorporate more power. Over the years, I have learned 15 Karate Katas and numerous weapon forms, known as Kobudo. I firmly believe that Karate and Kobudo are inherently intertwined and cannot be learned in isolation. I’m constantly exploring my Katas for ideas and the application of underlying concepts, distinct from specific techniques. Techniques are essentially a combination of movements built upon a foundation of concepts, which enhance their efficiency. Open hand (Karate) and weapons (Kobudo) can be seen as analogous to Karate (To-de) and Kung Fu—two different expressions of the same core principles but at opposite ends of the spectrum.

The boundary between Karate and Kung Fu, and between Karate and Kobudo, remains a subject of intrigue. Both Kung Fu and To-de (Karate) operate within the constraints of the human body as their core framework. The fundamental model of the human body is universal, imposing the same biomechanical restrictions on both systems. The true distinctions lie in the various applications of underlying concepts, all of which are governed by the human body’s capabilities.

Over the years, with countless hours of Kata practice, the practitioner often loses themselves while studying Kata. The idea of studying Kata is not limited to merely performing the movements vigorously; that represents a basic level of kata. The in-depth understanding of the Kata must progress, encompassing an interpretation that aligns with the practitioner’s existing knowledge. This paradox drives the learning and comprehension of the Kata to a higher level.  I  frequently revisit Naihanchi, while going through the Kata, the my goal is to vary stances, angles, hand positions, and timing of movements. The core Kata remains unchanged, serving as the fundamental template, but the execution undergoes modifications.

Amid the many variations of the same Kata, some featuring minor adjustments and others incorporating more significant changes, one cannot help but question whether the directive never to alter what was passed down (kata) was genuinely heeded or merely a means to control the transmitted knowledge and shroud ancient secrets.

It is often contemplated that the injunction never to alter Kata was not a warning but an effort to safeguard concealed knowledge. If a secret remains tightly wrapped, and no attempt is made to unveil it, the secret remains hidden. The act of altering angles, stances, and hand positions is referred to as exploring the Kata’s numerous depths. Through this process, the practitioner has come to perceive Naihanchi within every Kata, extending this perception to Kobudo and various other martial arts like Wing Chun and Filipino Arnis, among others. This phenomenon is unsurprising, as Naihanchi represents the DNA, the foundational building blocks of Okinawan Te (Karate).

Sean Schroeder, 11/5/2023
Cova Karate (c)