Goju Ryu, meaning "hard/soft style", was founded by Chojun Miyagi some time in the 1920's. There are three major splits of Goju Ryu. They are Okinawan (Miyagi/Meitoku Yagi), Japanese (Miyagi/Gogen Yamaguchi) and USA (Miyagi/Yamaguchi/Peter Urban). Besides Goju Ryu, other common names to the style are Goju Kai and Chinese Goju.

Isshin-ryu, meaning "one heart or whole-hearted way", was founded by Tatsuo Shimabuku in 1954. The system is a blend of Goju Ryu and Shorin Ryu. Tatsua Shimabuku was reported to have studied from Chotoku Kyan, Chojun Miyagi and Choki Motobu.

Traditional Okinawan weapons. The weapons of Karate were developed by the Okinawans out of necessity. Most of these weapons were farming tools. They include sai, nunchaku, tonfa, kama, and more.

This category are for sites on Kokondo (traditional Japanese karate) and Jukido (traditional japanese jujitsu). Both arts are taught as one.

Kyokushinkai Karate is characterized by requiring its participants to undertake strenuous training, conditioning and realistic contact while sparring. Kyokushin karateka believe this contact is necessary in order to fully appreciate the resiliency of the human body and spirit and to prepare for any serious confrontation. The style was founded by Oyama Masatatsu (d.1994), a naturalised Japanese of Korean origin who attained expertise in Okinawan, Japanese, Korean and Chinese martial arts and was a renowned karate tournament champion. Fitness is essential for the ability to perform under the pressure of combat and is emphasised in aerobic and anaerobic training. Strength training, makiwara and heavy bag work are utilised to develop power and realistic application of technique. Partner-training and sparring involve conditioning the body parts involved in offense and defense. This is done through use of medium to heavy contact in application of techniques. The style is famed for strong kicking techniques, especially the devastating low roundhouse kick to the thigh. However, there are safety measures to prevent excessive injury in regular sparring: use of mouthguards, gloves, shin protectors is permitted and hand techniques to the head are forbidden. Kata from diverse styles have been incorporated, based upon the founder's expertise in Shotokan, Goju-Ryu, Korean and Chinese martial arts. Tournaments involve kata and sparring competition. Generally, the full contact sparring tournaments are most popular, with the concession of mouthguard and groin protector only, and points scored only for knockdowns or knockouts.

Please submit sites that are a general resource to karate in general. School and Organization sites will not be listed here. Also please choose the most appropriate subcategory for your site.

This category is for schools as well as training and instructional programs which are of a general aspect to Karate.

Shito Ryu was founded by Kenwa Mabuni by combining Shorin Ryu and Shorei Ryu. He brought his system to Osaca, Japan in 1929. As with many of the Okinawan and Japanese styles, Kobudo (Okinawan Weapon) and Iado (Japanese Sword) are also taught. This category also houses sites for the style of Shukokai a direct descendant of Shito Ryu.

Shorin Ryu, meaning "young forest style" or "shaolin style", is reported to have originated from an Okinawan style called Shuri-te.

Shotokan and Shotkai Karate evolved from the teachings of Master Gichin Funakoshi. Though Shotokan and Shotokai karate has it's roots in Okinawa it is considered to be a Japanese Martial Art.

Wado, meaning "way of peace" is a style of karate that was founded in the 1930's by Hironori Otsuka. Wado was created from the karate he learned from Gichin Funakoshi and the ju jitsu he studied earlier in life.

Sites on and for Women in Karate.