1) Okinawa Karate relies on Conditioning, Training Methods and Repetition (muscle memory response), to engender results.
Japanese Karate utilizes : Kihon, Kata and Jiyu Kumite
2) Bunkai does not belong to Okinawa Karate, it is A Japanese Budo concept. Okinawans employ "tii-chi-ki", which roughly translated means : 'showing what the Hand is doing'
3) Okinawa Karate is community based and on Ryukyu Islands, students come when they finish work or other obligations. The Dojo is A cultural/social center.
Japanese Karate is for the masses, the Dojo runs on militaristic etiquette. Classes are conducted on time and hierarchical ranking is strictly enforced. (originally put in place by Itosu and Funakoshi)
4) Old Style Okinawa Karate teachers, also teach Ryukyu Kobudo, which are weapons training, consisting of farming, fishing tools and domestic implements, with Katas, blocks, strikes, joint locks and take downs. Most Okinawa Karate teachers also teach and perform "hamachidori", which is the Ryukyu folk dance within which hidden martial movement are encapsulated.
5) The so called "One-Strike" saying, is not An Okinawan Karate concept, but A Japanese Karate term originally borrowed from Samurai Budo tenets and in particular, Kenjutsu sword schools. The Okinawa Karate mentality insists on continuing the fight until the assailant is no longer A threat.
6) Okinawa Karate has stayed true to information transmitted through Kata, instinctive movements, response to touch and the innate intelligence within the physical body. Japanese Karate has changed Kata to suit Bunkai and Kumite. A fact that has destroyed the original intention within Kata and the essence of Karate Spirit.
7) Okinawa Karate is not A specialized combat methodology. It is An opportunistic (wholistic) fighting approach, unlike Sports oriented Japanese Karate. Okinawa Karate utilizes grappling, joint locks, bone breaks, pokes, etc. to inflict maximum pain to bring speedy conclusion to violent confrontations. Unlike Japanese Karate, the Ryukyu approach does not rely on blocking with one hand and countering with the other. Okinawa Karate has an everything goes approach (mind-set) to combat resolution.
8) "KIAI" WAS A JAPANESE KARATE-DO TOOL, WHICH WAS NOT EMPHASIZED IN OKINAWAN-Tii. IT WAS BORROWED FROM JAPANESE KENJUTSU SCHOOLS.
IN ACTUAL EMPTY-HAND COMBAT, THE UTILIZATION OF A KIAI, IS A DISADVANTAGE WHICH WILL ENABLE THE OPPONENT TO PREDICT MOVEMENT AND GIVE AN AWARE FIGHTER READABILITY AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO DISRUPT THE EXECUTION OF A TECHNIQUE AND EVEN CAUSE SERIOUS BODILY HARM, BY DISRUPTING THE BREATHING PROCESS, WHICH SHOULD BE IDEALLY DISGUISED IN REAL CONFRONTATIONS.
9) indoors an In Okinawa, Karate practice was conducted in open air, whereas on the Mainland Japan, the Dojos are d practicing outside is frowned upon, and regarded as A practice reserved for the poor and ruffians.
