bruce lee, a chinese hero!!

[swan104]

Isn't Okinawa part of Japan?

[RobertG]

Originally posted by swan104
Isn't Okinawa part of Japan?

Yes and no. Okinawa has been occupied by Japan for something like 400 years. But culturally and ethnically they are different.

As for Karate, well, its both Japanese and Okinawan. It originated in Okinawa (from Chinese sources) and was imported to Japan. The Japanese styles, like Shotokan, tend to be more linear. The Okinawan styles, with their heavy Chinese influence, are more fluid and circular. That is a generalization of course, and Jules is correct that Japan developed many fluid martial arts.