Japanese Martial Arts Guide

Karate: The most well-known and popular of the Japanese martial arts, karate traces its origins back to the island of Okinawa, where a form of empty hand fighting arose in various cities and villages.There are four main schools of karate in Japan, Goju-ryu, Shito-ryu, Shotokan, and Wado-ryu.Each emphasizes different moves and styles of fighting.Goju-ryu concentrates on blocking and quick series of attacks, Shito-ryu emphasizes power during attacks, Shotokan uses a strong foot stance and leverage, and Wado-ryu emphasizes harmony when fighting.Though begun in Japan, karate has reached international popularity and is now taught in schools around the world.

Jujitsu: With a history tracing back over 2000 years, jujitsu is one of the oldest and most traditional hand-to-hand combat techniques in Japan.Formalized during the Edo period, the martial art was the main combat technique of the samurai.With an emphasis on disarming an opponent and exploiting their weaknesses, the martial art uses kicks, blows as well as throws to do damage and knock an opponent out.Not based on size or power, jujitsu levels the playing field as competitors rely on speed and skill to trap and beat others.

Judo: One of the more modern martial arts to come out of Japan, Judo arose in the 1880s as a more harmonious and less violent version of jujitsu.Created by Dr. Jigoro Kano, a martial arts practitioner in Mikage, Japan, the sport was created with a blend of various techniques and moves.Judo focuses on using a an opponents energy against them, using various throws and quick,moves to disable and incapacitate a competitor.With a large popularity the sport became part of the Olympic Games and now enjoys world-wide recognition.

Kendo: The traditional art of Japanese sword fighting, the very name Kendo means, "The Way of the Sword." The martial art arose in 12th century Japan at the same time as the rise of the Samurai way of life.The Samurai military class were fierc.e warriors and were well trained in swordplay, and they carried this tradition on into the modern day.Today, however, kendo is practiced with a bamboo sword, called a shinai, as well as full protective armor.This allows practitioners to give and receive blows without risk of injury.

Sumo: The ancient and traditional form of Japanese wrestling, sumo is known for its massive competitors and highly ritualized competitions.Based in the Shinto religion, the martial art has a highly rigid and complex hierarchy, with younger fighters having to serve and defer to older and more experienced wrestlers.Wrestlers rise in status based on their results, eventually hoping to reach the highest rank, yokozuna, which is a lifetime title.Sumo wrestlers train on a strict regimen of strenght training and eating, in order to gain the weight necessary to compete against other wrestlers up to 500 lbs.

Aikido: Founded by martial arts legend Morihei Ueshiba as a new martial art and spiritual path, Aikido was born out of a wide variety of techniques and religious beliefs.The main school of Aikido rests on the idea that a person's energy is their most important tool, and that by controlling an opponent's energy flow, one can defeat them easily and without violence.Ueshiba, known as O-Sensei, perfected the technique, enabling him to easily throw and pin even the fierces or largest opponents.With a completely defensive use and its concentration to disabling opponents without injuring them, Aikido is considered the most peaceful and spiritual of the Japanese martial arts.