History and Overview of the Martial Arts
by Robert W. Young

HISTORY AND OVERVIEW OF THE MARTIAL ARTS
by Robert W. Young

The first fighting systems on earth probably evolved alongside human beings because mankind must have always had a need to defend himself against animals, not to mention against his fellow creature. Ancient murals and sculptures show fighting poses from Egypt, India and Babylon dating from as far back as 5,000 years ago.
The martial arts as we know them probably did not evolve until systems of offensive and defensive skills were devised in or imported into China. There, in a country saturated with the spiritual teachings of Taoism, Confucianism and Buddhism, these fighting skills were combined with intangible elements such as compassion, discipline and self-control.
Through various periods in history when weapons were outlawed, the martial arts prospered as the only means for a person to defend himself and his family. But even as more civilized times descended upon humanity, the arts survived. They managed to outlive their violent origins primarily because they teach much more than fighting. The true martial arts stress character development, discipline and respect. Self-defense, physical fitness and competition are some of the other benefits which modern practitioners enjoy.

The fact that the martial arts have endured for so many centuries means that they have had a chance to evolve into many different styles. The following are short descriptions of the major ones.

Aikido

Aikido was founded by Morihei Uyeshiba in 1942. Uyeshiba, also known as O­Sensei, was heavily influenced by the principles and techniques of daito ryu aikijujutsu and Kendo (Japanese swordsmanship). Along with incorporating parts of these older arts into his new art, he emphasized evasion, redirection of an opponent's attack and development of ki (internal energy). Aikido also grew to become a very philosophical martial art that is often connected with a Japanese religion called Omoto­kyo.
In some variations of aikido, strikes are used to set up an opponent for a throw or joint lock In others, practice consists of strictly joint locks and throws. The art is popular in Japan because police frequently learn it so they can subdue suspects without injuring them. Aikido practitioners may also train with the staff, knife and wooden sword. Contrary to the way it is portrayed in the popular movies of film star Steven Seagal, aikido has a reputation as a "non­violent" martial art.

Bando

Bando is a martial art that comes from the Southeast Asian country of Myanmar (formerly Burma). It is also known as thaing and may contain a subset of weapons skills called banshei. Because of Myanmar's geographical proximity to Thailand, much of bando's empty­hand techniques resemble those of Muay Thai kickboxing. The art was also influenced by fighting arts imported from nearby China. Bando includes foot and hand strikes, throws and joint locks, along with numerous weapons techniques.

Boxing

Boxing is often called the Western martial art, but it is more accurately identified as a martial sport. It probably originated in ancient Greece or Rome, as there is evidence that the Greek pankratium (also spelled pankration) competitions included a boxing­like event. The pugilistic sport then spread to most every Western country, and in the early 20th century it became a popular spectator sport.

Boxing techniques have played an important role in the development of modern kickboxing, since they are often judged as being more effective than the hand techniques of the Asian martial arts. The techniques are now being added to the curriculum at many schools that teach eclectic martial arts

Capoeira

Capoeira dates from the 1500s, when African slaves brought into Brazil began developing a system of unarmed self­defense out of necessity. To avoid punishment by their superiors, the slaves had to disguise their martial movements as a dance hence the art's rhythmical nature and musical accompaniment. It places a heavy emphasis on using mobility to evade attacks. Capoeira includes numerous acrobatic kicks, punches and flips. Some techniques, such as the cartwheel kick, were created because the slaves often had their wrists bound by chains to prevent escape. In the 18O0s, Brazilian authorities outlawed capoeira, but that law was eventually rescinded and the art continues to grow in popularity as Brazilian masters spread it around the world.

Hapkido

Hapkido is a Korean martial art whose name is written with the same three Chinese characters as aikido. The art's techniques, however, bear little resemblance to those of aikido. According to the most widely propagated history, hapkido was founded by Choi Yong­sul, a Korean who had been taken to Japan to work in the household of daito­ryu aikijutsu master Sogaku Takeda. (Takeda's descendants and followers deny that Choi ever studied with their master, however.) Choi claimed to have trained under Takeda from 1913 to 1943.

Hapkido originally focused on pressure­point strikes, joint locks and throws, but now, thanks to the influence of hapkido master Ji Han-jae, it also includes highly refined kicks and hand strikes. Various weapons are taught, including the cane, staff and belt. Development of the practitioner's ki (internal energy) is also stressed. Hapkido is known more as a method of self­defense than an art for sporting competition.

Hsing-i Chuan

Hsing-i chuan (also spelled xingyiquan) is one of China's three internal martial arts. Heavily influenced by the teachings of Taoism, it is based on the five elements: wood, water, earth, metal and fire. Its forms are based on the movements of 12 animals, including the horse, monkey, tiger, bear, leopard, swallow, dragon, snake and hawk. Students are more concerned with discovering the meaning behind the animal movements than with imitating the movements themselves.

Many experts believe the origins of hsing­i chuan date to the second century, when written descriptions of various animal movements were made in China. Many of those animals and their movements are still taught in fusing­i chuan classes.

Hwarang do

Hwarang do is claimed by its practitioners to be the direct descendant of the martial art practiced by Korea's sixth­century hwarang warriors. The hwarang were similar to Japan's samurai warriors, but the corps was composed of young boys who also studied fine arts such as calligraphy, music and poetry.

Hwarang-do includes kicks, puncher, throws, joint locks, pressure­point strikes and internal­energy development Lee Joo­bang is the highest ranking hwarang­do expert in the world. He claims to be the 58th descendant in the art's lineage. The art's similarity to hapkido and kuk sool is often explained as having resulted from the fact that numerous martial arts experts-who would later become masters and found their own styles used to train together in Korea in the 1940s and 1950s.

Jeet Kune Do

Jeet Kune Do is an eclectic martial art created and polished in the 1960s and early 1970s by Bruce Lee. Using a philosophy of "absorb what it useful," Lee borrowed the beet skills and techniques from a variety of arts, including wing chun kung fu, fencing, loosing and wrestling. Since Lee's death in 1973, the art has evolved into two variations: original jeet kune do, which is promoted as the art Lee practiced until his death; and jeet kune do concepts, which applies Lee's strategies and philosophies to martial arts techniques drawn from various Indonesian, Philippine and Thai styles.

Jeet kune do is renowned for its street effectiveness. It is almost never used in competition. Classes include instruction in kicking, punching, trapping and grappling.

Judo

Judo was intended to be a martial sport derived from jujutsu. Created by Jigoro Kano in the 1880s, it enjoyed much popularity as its practitioners routinely defeated students of other martial arts. Kano created the Kodokan Judo Institute in 1882 as the governing body for the sport. Later, it was adopted into the curriculum of Japanese public schools. Judo became an Olympic sport in 1964, when the Games were held in Tokyo.

Judo training emphasizes throwing an opponent to the ground by grasping his body or uniform. Once down, a variety of chokes and joint locks may be used to effect a submission. Two important parts of judo training- character development and morality-make judo a preferred martial art for children to practice.

Jujutsu

Jujutsu (also spelled jiu jitsu) is one of the martial art of Japan's samurai warriors. The foundings of its various schools (ryu in Japanese) date from the eighth century to the 16th century. Because the warriors donned armor before entering the battlefield, kicks and punches had little effect. Therefore, chokes and joint locks were the only techniques that could attack unprotected targets like the neck, wrists and ankles. Weapons were at one time stressed in jujutsu, but most modern training focuses on empty­hand combat.

Since its creation, jujutsu has spawned a number of martial arts, including judo, aikido and possibly hapkido and kuk sool. It is categorized mostly as a system of self­defense, though competitions especially in Brazilian jujutsu - have recently become popular.

Kalaripayit

Kalaripayit is an ancient Indian martial art that uses pressure­point strikes, yoga stretching and venous strangely shaped weapons. Its name literally means "battlefield training." Many researchers theorize that it was the basis upon which the Chinese martial arts developed because they contend that Bodhidharma, the Chinese Buddhist monk who taught at Shaolin Temple, would have learned kalaripayit in India and transplanted it, along with his religion, to China.

Few kalaripayit practitioners teach anywhere in the world­ even in India. Much of the art is said to have degenerated into a martial dance.

Karate

Karate originated in Okinawa in the 1600s It was developed from imported Chinese martial arts skills and refined as an advanced means of self­defense because weapons were outlawed on the island. It was originally called [e, meaning "hand." Later, masters adopted the name karate, meaning "empty hand" or "Chinese hand" (depending upon which characters are used to write the word).
Toward the end of the 19th century, Gichin Funakoshi trained with various karate masters, then devised his own system, which he named shotokan. He then spread the style to the Japanese mainland and eventually to the West. It is perhaps the most widely taught style of karate.

Other popular karate styles currently practiced around the world include kempo, goju­ryu kyokushin, isshin­ryu, shito­ryu, shorinji kernpo, shorin­ryu, uechi­ryu, wado­ryu and washin­ryu. All include hard­style kicks, punches and blocks. Some emphasize linear movements, while others teach circular movements. In virtually every style, kata (forms) practice and kumite (sparring) play an important role in training.

Kenpo

Kenpo is a form of karate that was popularized in Hawaii and later on the American mainland by Ed Parker. Although it is often categorized as an American martial art, the style's name is written with the same Chinese characters as chuan fa, a generic Chinese term for martial arts, And kenpo's techniques were influenced by those of various Chinese, Japanese and Hawaiian martial arts.

Kenpo training emphasizes a scientific approach to combat. Many kata are taught, and rapid­fire hand techniques and combinations are often used The art received a popularity boost after Jeff Speakman, a student of Parker's, showcased it in the movie, Perfect Weapon.

Kickboxing

Kickboxing is a modern martial sport that combines the hand techniques of Western boxing with the kicks of the Asian martial arts. Although it can be used for self­defense, it is primarily a ring sport. Legends of kickboxing, most of whom rose to star status in the 1970s and 1980s, include Bill "Superfoot" Wallace, Benny "The Jet" Urquidez, Kathy Long, Don "The Dragon. Wilson and Dennis Alexio.

Kuk Sool

Kuk sool is a Korean martial art founded in 1958 by Suh In­hyuk. Its controlling organization, Korean Kuk Sool Won, was formed by Suh in 1961. Suh claims to have traveled around Korea as a youth to learn traditional arts from various masters. Those styles included koong joong mu sool (royal palace martial arts) and sado mu sool (tribal martial arts). Suh then combined all the techniques into the art he named kuk sool, which means "national skills."

Kuk sool is one of the most comprehensive systems in the world. It includes numerous kicks, punches, palm strikes, throws, joint locks, pressure­point strikes, breaking, ki (internal energy) development and breathing exercises. Instruction often focuses on weapons, including the long sword, short sword, staff, short stick, fan and rope.

Kung Fu
Kung fu (also spelled gung fu) is a catchall term for the Chinese martial arts It is often synonymous with the terms chuan fa and wushu. Many believe that all forms of kung fu descended from the exercise techniques taught by Bodhidharma, an Indian monk who traveled to Shaolin Temple in 526. However, ancient Chinese records show that various forms of kung fu existed long before this time. Specifically, there are historical records of studies of various animal movements that are still associated with the Chinese martial arts.

Some of the better­known styles of kung fu are Shaolin, hung gar, choy li fut, monkey, eagle claw, crane, drunken fist, long fist, south fist, five elders, lame, mantis, pa chi chuan and wing chun. With so many styles using the kung fu name, it is not surprising that a huge variety of techniques and principles taught is taught. Some styles, especially those that originated in Southern China, emphasize hand techniques, while others, particularly those from Northern China, stress foot techniques.

Muay Thai

Muay Thai, or Thai boxing, is a martial art from Thailand. It is renowned for its overall simplicity and practicality: powerful roundhouse kicks, elbow strikes, knee thrusts and basic boxing­style punches. Although Muay Thai is primarily practiced as a ring sport mostly by teenage boys in Thailand-it has numerous self­defense applications. The sport version has been popular in Thailand for decades, and it has recently spread to Japan, the United States and Europe.

Some researchers claim Muay Thai is merely a subset of empty­hand skills that came from the comprehensive Thai art of krabi krabong. Both arts are claimed to be more than 1,000 years old. Historians say that ancient records tell how the skills were used in battles with the Burmese and Vietnamese.

Ninjutsu

Ninjutsu is the art of Japan's ninja warriors. The art grew during the nation's feudal period (13th century to 17th century), when missions of espionage and assassination were often carried out against warlords. In the 1970s and 1980s, ninjutsu was popularized in the West by Stephen K Hayes and Masaaki Hatsumi.

Although ninjutsu does include linear and circular empty­hand techniques (often called taijutsu, which encompasses punching, kicking and grappling), much of the art's techniques involve weapons such as the sword, dagger, dart, weighted chain and throwing star. Historically, ninja were masters of camouflage, concealment, horsemanship, explosives and poisons, but such skills receive little, if any, emphasis in modern training.

Pa Kua Chang

Pa kua chang (also spelled baguazhang) ie one of China's three internal martial arts. It was created near the end of the 18th century and based on the eight trigrams of the 800­year­old classic text, I Ching (Book of Changes). In China, pa kua chang is often taught in conjunction with hsing­i chuan because it is believed the two arts complement each other.
Pa kua chang movements focus on the circle and the opposites of yin and yang Many of the offensive technique i are subtle and indirect, but they are considered very effective for self­defense. Because the art is based on the Book of Changes, students learn to constantly adapt their responses in a self­defense situation.

Pentjak Silat

Pentjak silat (also called silat) is an Indonesian martial art whose original skills may date back to the sixth century. It was probably not refined as a true martial art, however, until the 14th century. It is closely related to bersilat, its Malaysian cousin, which dates from the 15th century. Silat emphasizes joint locks, sweeps, takedowns, and hand and foot strikes from unexpected angles and directions. These techniques are often aimed at the body's weakest points. Weapons play an important role in silat combat and training. Instruction often involves the performance of traditional Indonesian dances.

Sambo

Sambo (also spelled sombo) is a modern Russian combat art that emphasizes throws, takedowns and joint locks. Some claim it was heavily influenced by the Armenian art of khok; others say it is derived from indigenous folk wrestling and judo. Two variations of the art are currently taught sport sambo, which includes mostly grappling techniques (but not choking); and combat sambo, which encompasses grappling and striking. Practitioners wear a unique uniform (called a kurtka), which is frequently used for grabbing and throwing.

Savate

Savate (sometimes called boxe Francais) is a French art of foot and fist fighting that dates from the 19th century. It may have been influenced by venous Asian martial arts after French sailors returned from voyages to Asian ports. The art began spreading to other countries in the 1960s.

Savate is renowned for its precision kicks to the body's vital points. Its hand techniques are very similar to those of Western boxing, and is kicks were designed to integrate smoothly with the punches. It is currently a popular full­contact ring sport in Europe.

Shootfighting

Shootfighting is a modern Japanese eclectic martial sport. Its techniques were greatly influenced by the submission grappling skills taught by the legendary American wrestler Karl Gotch when he visited Japan.
Variations include shootwrestling, shootboxing and pancrase. All are taught primarily as ring sports, and their matches frequently draw large crowds in Japan. Rules permit kicks, hand strikes, takedowns, throws and ground grappling.

Shuai Chiao

Shuai chiao (also spelled shuai jiao) is known as China's wrestling and throwing art. If certain historical records are to be believed, it may be one of the oldest styles in existence, with its roots going back some 2,000 to 3,000 years. Shuai chive strategy encourages students to use hand and foot strikes to soften up an opponent, then move in for a bone­breaking throw. Unlike judo, where breakfalls can usually be done to lessen the impact of a throw, shuai chiao teaches students to lock the limbs before throwing, which intensifies the impact.

Shuai chiao was popularized by Chang Dung­sheng, a Chinese master who fought many challenge matches in China before relocating to Taiwan to teach at the Central Police Academy. The art is currently practiced in Asia and the United States.

Sumo

Sumo is a Japanese combative sport that pits one huge, loin cloth­clad contestant against another in a sand­covered ring. The men push and shove each other while attempting to execute a trip or throw. The object of the match is to force the opponent to touch the ground with any part of his body other than his feet.

Experts claim sumo is derived from a more martially oriented art, but in its current incarnation, it is purely a martial sport with little or no self defense utility. It remains, however, perhaps the most popular spectator sport in Japan.

Taekwondo

Taekwondo is a relatively modern Korean martial sport that is often claimed to be the most popular style in the world. Although some exponents say it dates back thousands of years, records indicate that it was created by Gen. Choi Hong­hi in the 1950s from a mix of Japanese karate hand techniques and tae kyon (an indigenous Korea kicking art) foot techniques.

Soon to be an official Olympic sport, taekwondo places a heavy emphasis on throwing rapid kicks and body punches. In fact, it is reputed to have the most extensive kicking arsenals of any martial art. In classroom training, breaking, forms, one­step sparring and self­defense are also taught Taekwondo was spread to the West mainly by Jhoon Rhee. Numerous other masters were sent abroad by the Korean government to introduce foreigners to Korean culture.

Tai Chi Chuan

Tai chi chuan (also spelled taijiquan) is one of China's three internal arts. Frequently practiced in slow­motion, it dates from the 1700s when Chang San Feng began observing the movements of a crane and a snake. Tai chi chuan training emphasizes rooting, or connecting one's chi (internal energy) with the earth; sensitivity, or being able to detect an opponent's movements before they are completed; and relaxation.

Senior citizens are often drawn to tai chi chuan classes because of the myriad of health benefits the training offers. It is said to improve balance, coordination, concentration, breathing, circulation and overall health.
Tai chi chuan currently exists around the world in many forms, including chen, old chen, wu, yang, chang and sun.

Tang Soo Do

Tang soo do is a traditional Korean martial art that focuses on discipline and the practice of hyung. (forms) and self defense sequences. Although founder Hwang Kee claims to have created the art from ancient textbooks on su bak do (an older Korean martial art) while living in Manchuria in the 1930s, the style may have been heavily influenced by Japanese karate. In many respects, tang soo do appears quite similar to karate and taekwondo, except for the fact that in tang soo do, very little emphasis ifi placed on sporting competition and flashy maneuvers.

Wing Chun

Wing chun (also spelled wing tsun) is a Chinese self­defense art founded more than 260 years ago by a Buddhist nun named Ng Mui. It is said to teach only the most effective techniques of various other styles of kung fu. Wing chun uses low­level kicks and numerous hand and finger strikes to defeat an attacker It teaches that force should not be met with force because that would mean a larger attacker could always defeat a smaller person. Redirection also plays an important role in the art's defensive moves, as does protecting the body's centerline.

Wing chun is one of the most popular styles of kung fu in the world. Much of its popularity stems from the fact that Bruce Lee trained extensively in the art under the late Hong Kong­based master Yip Man.

Wrestling

Wrestling is a combative sport that probably originated in ancient Greece and Rome. It is practiced in various forms in most cultures of the world (sumo in Japan, ssirum in Korea, khok in Armenia, Sambo in Russia, etc.). It formed the basis for the Japanese martial sport of shootfighting, and many of its techniques are similar to those of judo.

Wushu

Wushu is the term used in the West to identify the modern Chinese martial art that emphasizes flashy techniques and acrobatics. In China, however, it is the official term used to refer to what Westerners call kung fu or chuan fat. In fact, the term wushu translates as "martial skill " Training includes numerous empty­hand techniques and practically every imaginable weapon. The forms can be performed solo or with a partner.