Different Styles Of Martial Arts

Over time, different cultures developed individual fighting styles based on their history. From the empty-hand strikes and farming utensil weapons of karate to the grappling style of jiu-jitsu, the character of a martial art tells a lot about the history of the people that developed it.

Okinawan Karate

Karate is a common name for numerous styles of empty-hand striking styles originating in the Japanese territory of Okinawa. When Japanese invaders forbid Okinawan farmers from possessing or using weapons, the peasants developed fighting styles that would allow them to defend themselves against the oppressors. These developed into what we know as karate, characterized by powerful kicks and punches. The weapons used by karate practitioners, such as the nunchaku and the tonfa, were largely developed from normal farming tools that the peasantry used in their daily lives.

Jiu-Jitsu

Originally developed by the samurai, jiu-jitsu used grappling as a way to injure and disable an opponent who was clad in armor similar to what the fighter was wearing himself. The weight of the armor made the kicks and quick footwork of karate difficult, so grabbing an opponent and pulling or throwing him to the ground was more effective. Amongst the most popular grappling styles of martial arts are several derivatives of Japanese ju-jitsu. Judo, developed by Professor Jigoro Kano, is an Olympic sport, practiced throughout the world. Although Olympic judo is characterized most easily by its throws and takedowns, it also encompasses and entire system of groundfighting grappling holds and chokes.

Aikido

Aikido, developed by Morihei Ueshiba in the early 1900s, is an offshoot of ju-jitsu. Spectators recognize aikido because of the spectacular throws and jointlocks. Ueshiba's goal was for an aikido practitioner to use an opponent's energy against him, even to the point of not needing to use physical techniques to defeat the opponent. Aikido was a way to develop the spiritual nature of the student in a culture that valued the mind-body synergistic connection.