Shotokan Kicks And Stances!
In this video and article we look at the historical and technical divergence between original Okinawan Karate and modern Japanese Shotokan. Okinawan Karate is characterized by shorter, higher stances and low kicks (groin/knees), focusing on practical self-defense. Upon its migration to Japanese universities, the art became more "athletic" and "gymnastic," resulting in "stretched" (longer/lower) stances and high-level (Jodan) kicks.
For older people i suggest a return to Okinawan roots, specifically through original katas like Niseishi (the precursor to Nijushiho), to support the health and longevity of older practitioners for whom the modern athletic requirements may be impractical or physically taxing.
Our stances are long in shotokan karate.
A hundred years ago on Okinawa, the stances were much shorter in general.
They did have some deep and long stances.
But the original kokutsu dachi (back stance) was neko ashi dachi (cat stances) and Zenkutsu dachi (front stance) was much higher and shorter, than the stance we have today in Shotokan.
When karate went to Japan, everything stretched out, the stances got altered, the kicks got higher, which was perfect for the young university students in Japan.
In many of the Japanese universities the karate practice was severe and they definately embraced the higher kicks, longer stances and a more dynamic karate than was found on Okinawa.
My Sensei used to explain to me that originally, the kicks on Okinawa were extremely effective and all aimed at ribs and below, only when karate went to Japan, did the kicks go head height.
As i get older I realize that what I used to do in my thirties I now struggle to do and as the years go by, the original Okinawan style of karate appeals to me more and more.
Don’t get me wrong, I love Shotokan karatedo, but I believe a natural progression for the senior Shotokan karateka is to explore Okinawan karate and especially their kata.
We are very excited as we are planning on adding an over 50’s karate Dojo which will also be for people with injuries, we will have more Okinawan karate kata in the Dojo, along with other martial arts practice including kobudo. Oss!
Returning to the Source. The Evolution of Okinawan Karate Stances and Kicks
The Okinawan Foundation.
Practicality and Height In the early days of karate’s development on the island of Okinawa, the art was characterized by a distinct sense of pragmatic efficiency. The stances used by practitioners were significantly shorter and higher than what many modern students of Shotokan might recognize today.
In this original Okinawan context, the front stance was compact, and the “back stance” as it is known in modern Japanese karate did not exist, instead, karateka utilized the cat stance (neko ashi dachi).
The logic behind these shorter stances was rooted in the environment and the intended application of the art. Because karate was being developed for self-defense in close quarters, a high, mobile stance allowed for quicker shifts in direction and better stability on varied terrain.
This focus on practicality extended to the use of legs as well. All kicks in the original Okinawan systems were kept below the belt, specifically targeting the groin and the knees.
These were not flashy or “athletic” movements, but rather direct, debilitating strikes meant to end a confrontation quickly.
The Great Expansion.
Karate’s Journey to Mainland Japan As karate transitioned from its Okinawan roots to mainland Japan, it underwent a radical transformation. This shift was not merely geographical but also philosophical and aesthetic. Once karate arrived in Japan, everything became “stretched”.
Stances that were once short and high were lengthened and lowered, creating the deep, powerful silhouettes that define modern Shotokan.
Similarly, the trajectory of kicking changed. The low, pragmatic kicks targeting the knees and groin were largely replaced or supplemented by high-reaching kicks.
Kicks suddenly moved up to the Jodan (head/face) level.
This transition marked a departure from the purely combative nature of the Okinawan art toward something more visually striking and physically demanding.
The University Influence.
Athletics vs. Martial Application A primary driver for this transformation was the introduction of karate into Japanese universities.
Within the university system, the art began to evolve into a highly athletic and even “gymnastic” pursuit.
The goal shifted toward developing a dynamic, athletic body capable of performing explosive, “stretched” movements. While this created a generation of incredibly powerful and flexible martial artists, it moved the art away from its original Okinawan essence.
This university-driven development emphasized the aesthetic of the technique, the length of the stance and the height of the kick, as a measure of physical mastery. This created a version of karate that was very dynamic and gymnastic but perhaps less focused on the original close-range defensive principles of the Okinawan masters.
Longevity and the Aging Martial Artist
One of the most compelling arguments for returning to Okinawan roots is the issue of longevity and health. For many practitioners, the long stances and high kicks required by modern Shotokan are a young person’s game. While some individuals remain capable of head kicks well into their 70s, these cases are “few and far between”.
As karateka age, the physical toll of maintaining deep, stretched stances and aiming for high targets can become detrimental. From a health perspective, the shorter Okinawan stances are often more sustainable and better for the joints of older karateka.
For older karateka, the original Okinawan katas are not just a historical curiosity but a functional necessity that allows them to continue practicing karate effectively as they get older.
The Kata Connection.
From Niseishi to Nijushiho To preserve and share these original principles, there is a growing movement to reintroduce original Okinawan katas into modern syllabi. A prime example of this is the kata Niseishi, which is the original Okinawan version of the modern Shotokan kata Nijushiho (24 steps).
By studying these original versions, older people can see exactly where the modern “stretched” and “athletic” versions originated. These original katas represent a “way back when” version of the art before it was dynamically formed into its current gymnastic state.
Integrating these into a dojo’s curriculum provides a bridge between the athletic development of the student and the pragmatic wisdom of the Okinawan founders.
The Practitioner’s Path.
A Full Circle.
It is important to first go through the developmental stage of mastering long stances and high kicks. This phase builds the necessary strength, flexibility, and dynamic power that karate requires. However, as a practitioner reaches higher grades and or advances in age, there is a vital need to “come back” to the Okinawan katas.
Returning to the source is not a rejection of modern Shotokan but an addition to it. It allows the practitioner to refine their understanding of the art’s evolution while adopting a style that is perhaps more suited to a lifetime of practice. By blending the athletic power of Japanese karate with the practical, sustainable heights of the Okinawan original, a student achieves a more comprehensive and enduring understanding of the art.
Original Okinawan stances were much shorter and higher. For instance, the Okinawan front stance was compact, and they utilized the cat stance rather than the modern Japanese back stance.
In Okinawa, all kicks were traditionally aimed below the belt, specifically targeting the groin and the knees.
When Karate entered Japanese universities, it became more athletic and gymnastic. The techniques were "stretched" to become more dynamic, leading to longer stances and head-level (Jodan) kicks.
Niseishi is the original Okinawan version of the kata that eventually became known as Nijushiho (24 steps) in modern Japanese Karate.
The shorter stances of the Okinawan style are considered better for health and more practical as practitioners age. High kicks and extremely long stances can be difficult to maintain and may not "work" or be healthy for the majority of older members.
