Please note that this is not a comprehensive nor a final listing. I will make the all out efforts of listing all known and legitimate karate styles that were established and founded in Japan.
Legends:
[ active ] - Style has active Practitioners worldwide
[ renamed ] - Same Style but different name
[ Unknown ] - More research needed.
[ Undetermined ] - More Research required.
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A
Ashihara Kaikan - Founded by Hidiyuki Ashihara [ active ]
B
C
Chito Ryu - Founded by Chitose Tsuyoshi [ active ]
D
Daido Juku - Founded by Jukucho Azuma Takashi [ active ]
E
Enshin Karate - Founded by Joko Ninomiya [ active ]
F
G
Gensei Ryu - founded by Seiken Shukumine [ active ]
Gosuku-ryu - Founded by Takayuki Kubota [ active ]
Gijomonkai karate - Founded by Yoshiji Kaku [ active ]
Goju Kai - Founded by Gogen Yamaguchi [ active ]
Goju Ryu Taishu-Kai - Founded Shirota Taishu [ active ]
H
Hayashi-ha Shito Ryu - Founded by Teruo Hayashi [ active ]
I
J
Jinen Shindo Ryu - Founded by Yasuhiro Konishi [ active ]
Joshinmon Shorinryu - Founded by Hoshu Ikeda [active]
Jugo Shizen Ryu - Founded by Seijiro Sakihama [active]
K
Kansuiryu Karate - Founded by Yukio Mizutani and Kanji Inoki [ active ]
Kyokushin Kaikan - Founded by Masutatsu Oyama [ active ]
Koei-Kan - Founded by Onishi Eizo [ active ]
Kishimoto-ha Karate - Founded by Kishimoto Sokō [ Status: Unknown ]
Kakutou Karatedo - Founded by Azuma Takashi [renamed: Daido Kudo]
Kushin-ryu Karatedo - Founded by Ueshima Sannosuke [ active ]
L
M
N
Nippon Kempo - Founded by Muneomi Sawayama [ active ]
O
P
Pan Gai Noon Ryu - Uechi Kanbun (renamed: Uechi ryu) [ active ]
Q
R
Ryukyu Shorinryu Gesshinkai Karatedo - Founded by Toshiro Okada
Reiwaryu Ryushinkan - Founded by Shosaku Ueno [active]
S
Seidokaikan - Founded by Kazuyoshi Ishii [ active ]
Shotokan - founded by Gichen Funakushi [ active ]
Shito Ryu - Founded by Kenwa Mabuni [ active ]
Shidokan Karate - Founded by Yoshiji Soeno [ active ]
Seido Juku - Founded by Tadashi Nakamura [ active ]
Shorinji Kempo - Doshin So [ active ]
Shorinji-Ryu Renshinkan - Founded by Isamu Tamotsu [ active ]
Shorinji-Ryu Kenkokan - Founded by Kori Hisataka [ active ]
Shudokan - Founded Kanken Toyama [ active ]
Shindo Jinen-Ryu Karate-Jutsu - Yasuhiro Konishi [ active ]
Shorinryu Seishinkan - Founded by Yoshitoshi Sato [active]
T
Tani-ha Shito-ryū - Founded by Chojiro Tani [ active ]
Taura ryu - Founded by Motomu Ikubo [ active ]
U
V
W
Wado Ryu - Founded by Hironori Otsuka [ active ]
X
Y
Yoseikan Karate - Founded by Minoru Mochizuki [ Inactive ] [ New name: Yoseikan Budo ]
Yoshukai Karate - Founder by Mamuro Yamamoto [ active ]
Z
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Disclaimer: These list are my personal compilations and research. The criteria I used to determined what constitute its ligitimacy is simple. The Karate styles listed above have already been established in pre-war and post war Japan . Styles established outside of Japan will not be included and subject to 買い主の危険負担 Kainushi no kiken futan (buyer bears the risk).
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