Goju-Ryu v.s. Shotokan, enlighten me pls

Discussion in 'Karate' started by matessi, Aug 13, 2004.

  1. matessi

    matessi New Member

    Hello. I just would like to know the difference between Shotokan and Goju-Ryu. I have just started in Shotokan but i haven't been attending lately. There's a dojo near my workplace where they teach Goju-Ryu and i'm thinking of transferring there. But before I do, I'd like to know how different it would be from Shotokan.
     
  2. Anth

    Anth Daft. Supporter

    erm, why is this in FMA? :confused:
     
  3. Gyaku

    Gyaku Valued Member

    My main training has been in shotokan. I've doen a fair bit of goju-ryu.

    Heres my input:

    Diffs:
    1. The kata are completely different.
    2. Some of the kihon is slighty altered, some stances are a bit higher and they chamber the hikite slightly higher. Also greater emphasis is put on sanchin-dachi and shiko dachi
    3. They use more specialised breathing techniques, and use special kata like tensho and sanchin to do this.
    4. They have a greater contrast in tension and relaxation in techniques.

    Sims:
    1. Basic mechanics are no different, you'll still be using your hip to generate force etc
    2. The format of the classes are no different, you'll still have a 'sensei', count in japanese ich, ni, san etc
    3. They're both karate!

    This comparison is really basic. There is a lot more to it. Also depending on the organisation you join might make a difference.

    I'd say you'll have no problem fitting in. It'll be easy to change your kihon, although learning the kata may put you back a bit.

    Enjoy yourself!
     
  4. Silentblade

    Silentblade Silent Death

    in Shotokan you can use Shoryu-Ken and Hadou-Ken!

    OOPS sorry! :D
     
  5. MartialArtsSnob

    MartialArtsSnob New Member

    They are both good systems, I would concentrate of finding out which one is the most competent teacher.
     
  6. Matt_Bernius

    Matt_Bernius a student and a teacher

    Yeah, this is definitely misfiled.

    Perhaps the biggest difference is the hardness/softness of the arts. Goju, which means Hard/Soft, tends to be closer to the Chinese Martial Arts in execution than Shotokan. Sensitivity and flow is emphasised a bit more.

    The thing with Goju is that there are number of different branches of it. Some are harder, some are softer. You're best bet is to visit the school, talk to the teacher and watch a class.

    - Matt
     
  7. shootodog

    shootodog restless native

    someone please move this thread where it belongs!
     
  8. moononthewater

    moononthewater Valued Member

    Having studied both schools for a number of years i would say the differance between chalk and cheese is a good comparison. I found Goju a far better system. BUT the main reason for that was that my Goju teacher was probably the best teacher i have ever trained with. So as a previous post said do not look so much at the style check out the teachers and then decide.
     
  9. Pat OMalley

    Pat OMalley Valued Member

    I suggest you would get a better responce on the KARATE section :love:
     
  10. matessi

    matessi New Member

    hi, right, i posted in the wrong section. sorry! i'll try to find out how to move this to the karate section or delete the thread. i'm new here, you know. hehe.

    anyway, thanks for the help, gyaku, matt and moon-.
     
  11. Anth

    Anth Daft. Supporter

    just give a topic mod, global mod or Admin a yell, and they will move it for you :)
     
  12. matessi

    matessi New Member

    like, "hi topic mod, please move this thread to where it belongs." yell? hope s/he gets to read this now.

    thanks gaskell
     
  13. matessi

    matessi New Member

    oh, i now know what you mean. i've already sent an email. thanks
     
  14. Scotty Dog

    Scotty Dog www.myspace.com/elhig

    Thread moved, job Done :D
     
  15. GojuKJoe

    GojuKJoe Valued Member

    i did shotokan and goju ryu with the same teacher but now we only do goju. from what i've seen so far (i'm a 4th kyu) i prefer goju ryu, shotokan is much more linear and dynamic than goju ryu, goju ryu contains lots more open handed techniques, and also most of the blocks are all done in a circular motion with a straight counter which is where the name comes from (hard/soft). goju has much fewer kata too, but they are studied in much greater detail than in shotokan, placing most of the emphasis on understanding the application of what you're doing. goju ryu has 13 kata compared to shotokan's 26.
     
  16. Stick

    Stick New Member

    I've seen 18 kata in some goju ryu schools.
     
  17. GojuKJoe

    GojuKJoe Valued Member

    well there's definately supposed to be 13, even then, most only do 12
     
  18. Stick

    Stick New Member

    ooOOsps.

    It's 17 kata in Meibukan.

    KATA TRANSLATION
    SANCHIN 3 BATTLES; MIND, BODY, SPIRIT
    TENSHO TURNING OR ROTATING PALM
    TENCHI HEAVEN AND EARTH
    SEIRYU BLUE DRAGON
    BYAKKO WHITE TIGER
    SHUJAKKU RED SPARROW / RED PHOENIX
    GENBU BLACK TURTLE
    GEKI SAI ICHI TO DEMOLISH OR DESTROY ONE
    GEKI SAI NI TO DEMOLISH OR DESTROY TWO
    SAIFA TEARING OR BREAKING GROUND
    SHI SO CHIN BATTLE IN FOUR DIRECTIONS
    SAN SEI RYU THIRTY-SIX MOVEMENTS
    SESAN THIRTEEN MOVEMENTS
    SEIENCHIN PEACEFULNESS
    SEPAI EIGHTEEN MOVEMENTS
    KURURUNFA HOLDING GROUND
    SUPARINPE ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHT EVILS OF MAN
     
  19. Stick

    Stick New Member

    I did both Meibukan Goju Ryu and Traditional JKA style Shotokan. Neither is what I'd call street effective because of the sparring being taught. Sure, if you can unload a solid tsuki zuki and run like hell it may work.
     
  20. Gyaku

    Gyaku Valued Member

    SANCHIN
    TENSHO
    TENCHI
    SEIRYU

    BYAKKO
    SHUJAKKU
    GENBU

    GEKI SAI ICHI
    GEKI SAI NI
    SAIFA
    SHI SO CHIN
    SAN SEI RYU
    SESAN
    SEIENCHIN
    SEPAI
    KURURUNFA
    SUPARINPE
    HAKUTSURU

    I might be able to solve this problem. If you examine the list above - Those in italics are non-traditional, with the exception of hakutsuru, were developed only quite recently, so no other schools outside of Meibukan actually recognises them as authentic kata. Hakutsuru on the other hand is a very old kata that has been reitroduced into gojuryu insome circles its seen as a 'missing link' between okinawan karate and chinese martial arts.
     

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