THE BEST KARATE STYLE (EXPLANATION) - Jesse Enkamp 

WOW! Thanks for the awesome comments! 🌟 Deep bow 🙏 Check out my website to learn more about Karate: www.karatebyjesse.com

I've been training Kyokushin for 6 years now.. At the beginning it was nothing else, but simple karate, because at that time, i didn't know what's the difference between other Karate styles.. My Shihan started with Shotakan, and he said that no Karate style is better than any Karate style.. They're all hard.. It takes a huge dedication, will power and hard work to achieve the top in any style.. In his ideology - Every karate fighter is the best.. The are no weaker fighters, there are just less experienced fighters.. We're all strong, like roots that holds a tree. Some roots are younger, but they are still strong.. It's not about your style of Karate.. It's about how you execute it.. Osu. ❤️👊

I don't fear anything, But that thing... *Kyokushin* That thing scares me...

As always, excellent video. I am a Shotokan black belt in France (my country). But I am living for few years in japan and the best club that I found here is a Gojûryû one. And even if I started from white belt again, it is not an issue, I am still learning a lot of new things. When I arrived in this club, my teacher told me that "the style could be different, but the heart/spirit is the same", nothing more true 🙂

Shotokan has you take really long strides up the mountain. Goju Ryu has you both swim and climb up. & Kyokushin? You bump your shins on a bunch of trees along he way, maybe even break a rock in half. :P

I've trained in Shotokan since I was in 7th grade. It turned me into a person that I never thought I could be. I start training for my black belt next year after I finish school. Wish me luck.

"What is the best style?" The answer is "depends." Depends on what you're looking for as an individual. I know a lotta people will say Kyokushin or Kudo- styles famous for their full contact sparring and practice of techniques against an actively resisting opponent. Why? They'll probably say "Because it's practical/you can use it in a real fight/in the cage" Etc etc. Which is all good and fine (and true) But not everybody is looking to become a deadly bare knuckle fighter- some people really wanna learn kata, some people wanna focus on spiritual and mental discipline, and others just want a good outlet for exercise- there is nothing wrong with these being the primary motivators in your karate journey. Ultimately the best style is the one where you can walk out of class on a weekly basis and feel satisfied by the type of training you do there. If you want to do full contact it just so happens that just about any Kyokushin or Kyokushin off-shoot school is guaranteed to offer what you're looking for, but that certainly doesn't mean you can't find other schools of alternate styles that emphasize this method of training. The point I'm trying to make is that there is no single "best" style. What Jesse says is very true- whatever style you initially start off in will be your foundation, but as you grow as a martial artist and karateka you may pick up various things along the way that you can incorporate into how YOU wish to express your art. I think kata is a wonderful example of this- you can have multiple students from the same dojo perform the same kata and have no two kata look *exactly* alike- Baring group kata where synchronization is the name of the game, of course- each individual is at liberty to express or emphasize certain techniques to what they feel is the purest representation of their soul. Karate is a martial ART, and art is all about expression- so find the style that best allows you to express yourself! Osu!

Karate, is the best style of karate :) Just train hard, believe in what you do and stay open minded about. Like Bruce Lee said : Empty your cup!

I finally earned my first dan black black belt in Shito Ryu after 8 years!

Sensei Jesse, this is EXACTLY what I have professed to my students emphasizing the continuous search for growth and learning...always enjoy your videos

Ive done a few yrs in Goju Rye, kickboxing, boxing, Japanese jujitsu and now started Shotokan with my daughter and have to say we are really loving it. There's not one style better than others, its the teachers u have and what u put into it. We have 2 awesome teachers.

The quote from Bruce Lee comes to mind: “Before I learned the art, a punch was just a punch, and a kick, just a kick. After I learned the art, a punch was no longer a punch, a kick, no longer a kick. Now that I understand the art, a punch is just a punch and a kick is just a kick.”

na, the best style is 'Cobra kai',

Hi Mr. Enkamp. From Argentina I congratulate for you continued studies of karate principles. The origin of techniques AND why we do them. Federations, asociations here led karate to "monkey see, monkey do". It s satisfying to see people like you explaining karate like it Is. Thank you.

I’ve been watching your content for 5 years now. This past April I went for my first Shorin Ryu class. I was a Goju practitioner for a few years but never absorbed the whole concept. I guess needing to learn how to fight in the 90s Bronx was more important for me. 😂 I learned to fight for sure but never attained the skills of a proper Karateka. I was in love though and took it around with me till now. I got for my first belt promotion on Saturday. I feel silly and young but honored. I dig that. Karate does that for me. You’re on point when you say the best karate is the one that shapes your journey. I’m meeting like minded people who are willing to teach an old man. Oos!

I started my karate 3 years in shorin ryu, then 1 year in goju ryu then 5 years in a local karate. Afterwards I shifted to kyokushinkai kan & practising more than 30 years. It's one of the best style in the world

I am kyokushin practicioner. I know that hardcore karate fans very often even don't consider it to be a karate style at all, but quite honestly I don't care. I love the dojo in my town, I love my shihan and senseis, but most importantly I love the feeling of progress and exhaustion after every single training. OSU!

The most successful karateka in mixed martial arts history was Lioto Machida and he is Brazilian and his style is shotokan karate and... this brings me two pride, one for also being Brazilian and the other for his my style Brazil loves karate and this is the best website about karate around the world, congratulations for the page and for the incredible videos

Brilliantly articulated, Jesse. I have always felt the same. I started with Shotokan, went to Yoshukai, trained in kickboxing at the request of my Sensei in Yoshukai, tried Aikido and learned it didn't fit with me, and most recently train in Shaolin Kung Fu. I still practice Yoshukai religiously as I truly feel it is my foundation as it was my first black belt. But I have taken something from every school and instructor I have learned under and incorporated into my own style. Thank you for all you add to the world of martial arts. It's truly remarkable.

A lesson that many students still need to learn.

This is so true for many forms of martial arts, be it kung fu, karate, tae kwon do, BJJ or even capoeira. Thank you for doing this video for those who get caught up with which path to take. As the saying goes, every road leads to Rome.

Sensei Enkamp, You sir are truly a fountain of knowledge on martial arts.(karate especially).I wished I had had an instructor like you when I started training.

That point about getting to 10 is a great analagy. Another awesome video sensai Jesse

Man this video gave me a reason why I have subscribed your channel. Ossu!!

Wado Ryu never gets enough love. Would love to see a History and or technique difference video some time ;)

I practice shotokan and shorin ryu, but all styles have something great to offer. One of my closest friends is a kyokushin practitioner and he and I compare and contrast and we learn a lot from one another.

I was kinda clickbaited by the title to thinking you would promote a certain style but now having watched the video it is a correct presentation of the principles of karate.The principle of no style being inferior and creating your "own style" by absorbing anything useful each has to offer.Great video.

That was a very good answer to an unnecessary question. I began my karate journey practicing Wado Ryu in northern Stockholm as a teenager, since that was the style in the local karate club. I'm not sure that was the style for me, but what I learned then is incorporated into my current karate of Shotokan. That choice of style was also (even more) because of location. Thank you for another great video!

What a great video. I have been a practioner of Shuri Ryu for the past 3 years. I chose it after trying a variety of schools, it was simply the one that fit best for me, personally.

This will probably be lost in the comments, but here goes! I see your point of view, and I can agree with it, to an extent. But, the way I think about it is that although I take a lot from many "styles" and "teachers" I still pay homage to my base style. I use my base style as a foundation, and use others to build myself as a karate-ka. This might be incorrect, but It is my point of view. Thanks for the video!

Just saw this video. Not only Impresed with the explanation but also with the wisdom as this applies to many other life situations. How you get there (the Style) is not what is important, what is important is that you get there…Get to be a Master in what you do!!!🙇🏼‍♂️

Probably the best answer/explanation out there

I’ve been practicing karate for almost 20 years and recently found your channel and I love it. Great job!

My background is Japanese and Korean Karate and Taichi. In my younger days when I did alot of sparring, the opponents I found most challenging were Kempo practitioners, with their rapid flurries of hand techniques, and karatekas who knew some aikido.

Que aula maravilhosa Jesse, Osu e sou praticante de Hapkido Moohakwan mas já tive contato com outras artes entre elas três estilos de Karate como Shotokan, Gojuryu e Kyokushinkai além de Kung Fu e Sanda e sou também praticante do BJJ e o que percebi nesse tempo todo é que sua explicação dada agora vem ao encontro de meus anseios marciais. Grato pela oportunidade Sensei 🙏 Osu 👊

Powerfully said! I can say that I started as a toddler learning Kendo from my mother (who is Japanese), then studying Goju Ryu in Okinawa for 3 years, then studying Kendo and Judo from my Uncle Keiji in Fukuoka, Japan.. From there, learning from others back in the States in different martial arts, Hand-to-Hand Combat when I was in the Marines all the way to the present through over 65 years of learning and training.

This is great explanation, using the mountain example and the closer the styles get towards the top. Me personally, I have earned my belts through Go-Kan-Ryu, but I've watched many videos, read many books and been to other dojos to look at other styles. There are so many similarities between styles. I was 33 when I took up Karate, before karate I did boxing and krav maga. Both of these have influenced my karate.

Kyokushin karaté. Full contact training, it's the most suited way to be efficient in a real fight. Very close to the Muay Thai point of view, , no fancy moves, just power and speed. straight to the point. Training with the harshest conditions, always throwing max power strikes, getting used to pain is what forge a warrior. A Wanderlei Silva in its prime would be a good example of a warrior spirit : great physical and a good arsenal of techniques. a mental mixed of agressivity and intimidation. Just my point of view.

I didn't expect this video to be so deep and philosophical

Jesse, can you walk us through the most popular styles? It would be great to see the basic difference between them. It would be great to know a little bit more about Karate history. Thanks for the amazing work here. Greetings from Brasil, my friend. OSS!

First I must say, Jesse Sensei is right and I love his video, they are really unifying instead of dividing. I always learn something good, even though we are not doing the same karate style. Second, one must find a style that suit him. I use to do Sankudo, inspired mainly by Goju Ruy, and I didnt like it. Too much kata and bonkai. Then I discovered the Kyokushin, inspired by Goju Ryu and Shotokan, and it was fitting with me. A lot of combat, tamashiwari, hard trainning and yes Kata but a bit less focus on this discipline, yet really important to master. Jesse sensei keep up to good work, you truly speak and teach a universal Karate ☺

10 + 0 = 10, and I think that's the best and most simple way of getting to 10. ;)

Great video

You are very correct that at the highest levels these things blend. However, some paths are easier than others. Some paths are more direct than others. So is there a better path, probably. How would one find the better path? How does one find a way on a map? By accurately naming the end point one wishes to reach, acutely naming the point one is currently at and drawing a route. If you would compare a thing with another thing you must first agree upon what the end result or ultimate purpose that is to be achieved (the top of the mountain). Thus you have agreement on what the measure of comparison shall be. Without this you have a variety of answers, none of which are wrong. Given this known end point it becomes extremely straight forward to measure and hash out an answer to this question. As my measure I have adopted Anko Itosu's description of the summary of perfection in Shorin Ryu. "One strike, instant death." There is much wisdom in this simplicity and before you rebel from it's seemingly violent nature realize that because one can do a thing, does not mean one must do that thing.

Long Live Shotokan xD

Nice and the best explanation ever....it really opened my eyes......I started shotokan and presently my style is kyokushin....I thought that kyokushin is better than shotokan.....but now I realize that....it wasn't better than shotokan....because no style is better than one another...though shotokan was more siutable for me. :) OSU Respect from India

Just wow, I'm not a master, 2.Kyu but I started this year to teach children. and will make my examen to become an instructor next year. And I can tell the way I train has changed dramatically. I do not train just for me anymore. I train for all those I want to teach. You understand what I want to say. Everybody has his strengths and weaknesses. and how do you teach things you self don’t now? My Sensei once told me, if my Karate would be bad, he would not want me to teach in his dojo. and to bring what I learned from you just now in one sentence. I teach today what i now and tomorrow what I learned. Maybe I brand my Style Shotokan but to be correct it is more like my style a mix of all the master’s I learned before and from now on. With your words it doesn't sound so intimidating and scary anymore.

Very well said. I wonder if the Masters of Old would have ever thought Karate/Martial Arts would be what it is today?

One of the best videos about karate styles. Great work.

Sou Brazileiro e tenho 52 anos, sou praticante de artes marciais, também sou Karateca e te desafio pra um combate de Jiu jitsu e não sou nem faixa branca de jiujtsu, apenas sei algumas técnicas, mas te afirmo Jesse, a eficiência do jiu jtsu brasileiro é suprema!

I've been practicing Shorin Ryu for my whole life and it's amazing.

I used to say there are as many styles as there are instructors.

Nicely explained.

Thx Jesse. I practice Shito-ryu. The first thing we were thought was Respect for each other, didn’t matter what level you were. I guess as long as the style you do teaches you to be humble, respectful and honest.....it will show you that you are on the right track 👍🏻

This is easily one of the best (truthful and important) videos of yours. One only realizes this understanding through sincere hard work and diversity of training thanks

Kyokushin - strongest karate

Great video!! This subject comes up a lot among my friends, and I think your explanation is the clearest and easiest to follow. I agree with you 100%. Very well done.

Learning karate helps me dancing salsa New York style. Big master of salsa-mambo, Mr Eddie Torres himself, I think, is a master of karate (he didn't say a word of that, but I saw an old video of him, and at the end there were men training karate... before I saw that video I didn't know why he trasmitted such energy, humility and kindness when he teaches salsa, after the video I understood. Then he deleted that part of the home-video). Thats the power of karate. You can feel the energy of the master!!! Saludos, maestro Jesse.

Yes, you are the man who knows what is karate and its style. Thank you for your excellent comment.

The style does not matter, it is the one practicing it that matter, if useful it's because you used it right , and if not useful it's because you used it wrong

Not many people know about Yuishinkai so it's great to see a mention going on here

I used a similar analogy on my site about How to Cross Train in the Martial Arts on March 18 this year. This was on getting to the mountaintop on an easier path as it was taught to me by Hanshi George Anderson of the Kwanmukan who I met about 19 years after I had started training. I agree whole heartily with you on the people we meet and train with that helps us to create our own unique styles and am so thankful for all the instructors I have gotten to work with over the past 46 years. Keep up the great work

Jesse, the best metaphor I have ever heard about styles. Thanks a lot to bring light man!

Perfect answer. Well done Sensei. 👍

I tell everyone my karate style, go-kan-ryu, and their like WTF

young age i was training Yuishinkai Karate. Now i'm 31, and i start again this. I Never forget this style :)

This explanation is an explanation for every single karate-kat and is clear for every single eye of them

Such a great video.

I really enjoyed this video. I think you have expressed the sentiment and realization that many life long martial artist have come too (IMHO). I loved the mountain bit in the beginning and how you finished the video. Great job! Also, if you ever get a chance could you upload some bunkai/oyo/general ideas on Rohai kata? Not enough research has been done or at least shown to the public on that kata. Thanks again for another great video. Keep up the good work!

enjoy your channel you make it fun. Did a lot of karate and other martial arts (now known as mma) and lost my respect for karate but you've explained a few simple things to me made me appreciate it a bit more.

That was so deep Jesse San. I have a feeling that I will watch this video again and agin throughout the years and still learn something new every time. THANK YOU.

Third.Nice video I training shotokan

Actually, the best Karate Style is “Ansatsuken” because when you reach a certain level of the style you’ll be able to shoot energy ball through your hands , spin your leg like a helicopter, or even send your opponent flying with an uppercut.

I am a shito-ryu Karateka and I also support what you said....I also believe that every path is unique in itself. OSU!!!

Kyokushin is what the style I do. The full contact sparring and tough training is what I like. I augment with Judo, Boxing, Jiu Jitsu, Kempo and Kajukenbo to varying degrees.

Perfect video! I have the same thoughts about it. I'd love to talk to you some day!

Kyokushin is the best style of them all

Everyone starts learning martial art in different style with somthing different type of movements.but when a learner becomes mature he/she starts using the techniques effectively and thinks what is the impact in reality. An example,we block knife-attack with our hands but very very difficult in reality. You sir always speak reality. Thank u sir

I'm a member of cojukap or combat judo kara-te association of the Philippines since January 2001. For me all style is good. But always remember to be a good karate do.always practice, practice, and more practice to be a good karate do. Then be a humble all the time.

Yo Jesse please do a video how to deal with bullies with karate Please do a video

All these styles are bullshit, AMERI-DO-TE is the best of all and worst of none!

Jesse, I don't often comment on these types of videos because of the biases that be but bravo! Well said, wise words to take to heart. Your explanation is one of the best I've heard and reflects my own style. Keep up the great tutelage!

Well put sir. I came to the same conclusion a long time ago. And I get frustrated with "my own people" when they dis other styles. Granted, some aren't my cup of tea. But there's always something valuable to be extracted from all of them.

Great answer to the question. And Jesse's karate obviously has a fine lineage.

I started my Shotokan karate Journey a few months ago, yellow belt I will keep you posted on my progress.

Just wanted to give you a sincere compliment... it's nice to hear someone speak about martial arts without bias or ego. Your martial arts intellect is just cool to listen too... keep up the great work ✊

Wow! This was the best explanation of Karate styles I have ever heard! Hats off to you my friend!

Well said, one of the very few Martial artist on youtube that I respect.

Ik trainde vroeger Kyokushin Kai Karate toen ik 10 t/m 16 jaar was. Ik ben nu 30 jaar en ik ga Karate weer oppikken. Deze keer neem ik proeflessen Shotokan! Ik had 1 dag mee getraind. Ik moet zeggen dat ik Shotokan totaal anders is dan Kyokushin Kai. Tijdens het sparren merkte ik op dat je springt en meer voeten werk gebruikt en dat je op een lijn staat tijdens een gevecht. Tijdens een gevecht ben ik gewend om stil te staan en iemand een beuk te geven en dat ik wissel en combineer van vechttechniek en vechtpositie. Ik zat echt te twijfelen om weer Kyokushin Karate op te pikken, maar ik denk toch dat ik voor Shotokan ga. Vind de Katas van Shotokan mooier en sierlijker en ook de Kumites geef ik een plus punt!

I love this video. You explain this with perfect articulation, humility and respect. Thank you Jesse.

Again, very nice stuff. I started training at 12 years of age, I'm nearly 60 now, I'm Isshinryu black belt but have cross trained Wodoryu, Wodo-kai, modern arnis, Shotokan, western boxing, Kali, Jujitsu, Alambra family arnis-de-mono, Kyu Sho Jitsu (Dillman style presurepoints) and more. And it's all been awesome. I very much enjoyed this video I get so tired of people bashing other styles and they haven't even tried them.

Best explanation ever I'v heard about this, thx Jesse

I’m a Shotokan Practitioner, but I also trained Shito- Ryu, and aikido, and Iaido! I wrestled in high school, and amature boxing. I have trained with all kinds of Martial Artist. But your 100% right in your analogy Jesse!

cool analogy with the mountain diagram ..jesse is a good sensei...he puts in the mental effort to teach...

I have trained for 7 years in shorin-Ryu karate currently a shodan for 3 years

I agree with everything in this video. Good that you pointed out the difference between karate do and karate jutsu. One is not better than the other but they do have different purposes and one should know the difference depending on their personal goals.

I practice shotokan and it works for me. It depends on the person honestly. No style is "better" or "more right" than the other and at the end of day it's still karate and either way it's a beautiful art and sport

Where I train the sensei,(sensei Dilceu Rossoni), has multiple karate black belts (wado-ryu, shotokan, American kenpo) so he does a mix of them in his teachings, what's really good for us students

Once you reach black belt your schedule could be for burning calories practice warm-up , Combinations and katas more ; for sparring do warm-up and sparring more , ie , in a week 3 days katas and 3 days sparring dude , it would make you a perfectionist in the art of karate do and burn your calories as well and make you strong both physically and mentally or spiritually , practice katas and sparring on alternate days 👍 .

I started in karate when I was about 5 but was kicked out by the senei because I was too immature and young. My mom then put me in kung fu and I have been practicing kung fu ever since. So, I'm honestly more of a kung fu person, but I've recently started watching your videos and now have a greater respect for karate. Found out I am also your same age which is cool haha keep up to the good videos!