What is the difference between Traditional Okinawan Karate and the modern sport Karate?

Can't improve a lot on what William P said. We have a differance of opinion because I personally think the Okinawin punch is much more effective, and that it would be easier to prove scientificly. The Okinawin punch does not binde muscles, which makes the punch faster. Speed+mass=the amount of kinetic energy delivered to the target. More speed at the same mass means more power. just differnet outlooks, the rest of his answer is good.

traditional karate focuses on a lot of philosophy but it also depends on the style and school a lot of newer styles have a lot of stunt moves. Some schools only focus on sparring. The best way to see the difference is to try them. a lot of traditional schools try to teach that karate as more of an art than a sport but it depends on the school. (p.s. who would say karate sucks!? whoever would said that either hasn't tried it or hasn't spent enough time

Traditional Okinawan karate contains many joint locks, takedowns, etc. that the sport karate does not have. Sport karate tends to use higher kicks than the Traditional version. Sport karate (not only the Okinawan styles, but the Korean TKD) tend to kick using the instep rather than the ball of the foot. I could go on an on but I finish by saying this. Traditional Okinawan karate still does basically the same kata that were done by the old masters. Within them are many practical real-life applications(If you know how to discover them). Sport karate has in many cases changed the kata. Many times Sport karate kata have been totally made up just for competition. Traditional Okinawan karate has more self-defense applications.

Have to agree with KATANA on the punch thing.Not only is it faster the posistion of the fist emphasizing striking with the knuckles of the index and middle fingers fits and contours a wide number of pressure point targets very nicely. My view in a nut shell and believe me myself and others could probably write books on the subject. If you want to be a sports champ get yourself on the cover of BLACK BELT mag and learn a lot of spectacular technical nonsense and think you are studying self defense dont take traditional martial arts . If you want to learn self defense how to do arm locks chokes take downs sweeps throws and apply real pressure point technique(none of that DILLMAN bull)then take a traditional martial art. Many of the arts claim to be traditional but are traditional in name only as the teaching is so tournament orientated as to render it less than realistic and virtually useless as self defense..That includes full contact tournaments tho the training may be a little more realistic it is still training for an artificial environment. That is my view of the differences between the two. EDIT The comment about belts turning black from sweat and grass stains is largely a myth .Find some pictures of the old masters training their students and what you will see is guys in shorts and t shirts no belts.If anything turned black from grass stains it would be the seat of their shorts from being swept or thrown to the ground so often.The okinawans like the japanese have a real fetish about cleanliness and some smelly old sweat and grass stained apparel belt or not wouldn't be allowed. The 4 belts mentioned were an early concession to japanese influence and some still use it but most have adopted the more common form of ranking.

You should look at the WKF site to get a good idea of what "sport karate" is. Then check out some good videos (You Tube etc) of Okinawan Karate. Some mainland Japanese Karate is more traditional but most follow sport oriented karate (not that these masters don't know or do traditional karate but they tend to focus on sport - it is a sad fact of life). Modern doesn't necessarily mean bad; but the sport version of karate is usually pretty empty of meaning and mainly benefits the young and fast. I don't recommend it....

The traditional styles are stricter and more disciplined. The focus is not on fast progression or making money it is on personal growth through the process of uncovering the layers within the martial art. In the early stages the training in many traditional schools focuses on techniques, strengthening and discipline. However as you get into the higher ranks the area of spiritual development also comes into play. Eventually the two become one, so that the performance of the martial art itself becomes a spiritual experience. Some people want that and others prefer a purely athletic base for their martial art. It's a personal choice. And while sport karate may have been an easier road to travel, I decided upon the spiritual journey. I'm glad i did.

I think its the discipline

what about this - it may help. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9A36HDEmTO4 permit office training and its an addition to shadow training

One of the big differences is the use of the hip in punching, blocking and kicking. You don't see that emphasized near as much in American style karate as you do in the more traditional Okinawan and Japanese styles. Katas are not near as dynamic and flashy and usually have no kicks higher than the solar plexus in traditional styles. With respect to competition and fighting the scoring is much different. In traditional type tournaments you fight only to three and something like a back-fist only is awarded a half point. A weak reverse punch the same if both feet are not on the ground including the heals when it makes contact and there is no face and no safety gear. All kicks are one point and must make solid contact so control is important more-so as well as not being overextended with a technique or reaching to far.