Types of martial arts. Oriental martial arts: types. Japanese martial arts. Japanese martial arts
The history of mankind in many ways is the history of wars and fights. Life is so arranged that for many, many centuries a good fighter was valued much higher than a poet and musician. A fighter was a necessity. The fight was a daily occurrence. A poet was an optional luxury. And so it was for a very long time.
The term martial arts was coined by swordsmen in the 15th century. But martial arts as a separate complex of knowledge had already existed by that time for at least two and a half millennia. However, this is only in Europe. In the East, the elite art of a warrior has long been known as the Do-Way. Bushido translates simply. This is the way of the warrior. For this reason, many professionals talk about a system rather than a single skill.
It was the concern for the upbringing of a warrior that made it necessary to include in the concept of martial art not only the skill of hand-to-hand combat, but also other aspects of a fighter's life: philosophy, medicine, and behavioral norms. And the initial elitism of this occupation (only representatives of the noble classes were engaged in martial arts, since the peasants and other “draft” representatives of humanity simply had no time) forced them to include secular disciplines. Although not in all regions. But it is to this fact that Japan and China owe the development of poetry and calligraphy.
Familiar to everyone
All nations have different types of martial arts. The concept of "national struggle" is familiar, perhaps, to everyone. And here one detail catches the eye: in the ancient types of martial arts there is almost always no striking technique. And if there is such a practice, then it comes down to blows with an open palm and pushes. What a good example is sumo - one of the most ancient martial arts in the world.
In jiu-jitsu (it would be more correct to say “ju-jutsu”), for example, there were no even blows to the eyes and throat until about the 14th century. Just chokes, throws, trips. Such neglect of blows is easily explained. The ancient armor protected the warrior well. And hitting a steel plate with a fist meant only a sophisticated form of suicide, not victory. By the way, among the ancient Greeks, Cretan boxing was valued much lower than wrestling.
However, with the development of weaponry, individual armor began to be lightened or completely disappeared, which led to the appearance of strikes in many martial arts. And pure percussion techniques originated around the 17th century. But most of them belong to the end of the 19th - the middle of the 20th centuries.
In all martial arts, great attention is paid to the ability to stand on one's feet. Which is understandable - a fallen warrior on the battlefield is obviously a victim. Meanwhile, much attention is paid to the study of vulnerable areas of the human body. This gave a less tall fighter a chance to win a confrontation with a physically stronger, but less skilled opponent.
Down with cruelty
Over time, such a bloodthirsty cruelty of martial arts became weakly in demand - the norms of morality and methods of warfare changed. War has become more technological and remote. Martial arts began to lean towards the modern classification.
Sports. Purpose: competition, identification of the most prepared. Hence the strict rules, restrictions, protective devices in order to reduce injuries to a minimum. This includes boxing, karate, fencing, kickboxing, judo, freestyle and classical wrestling, and others.
Combat fights. Competition on them is impossible in principle. The task is to find out who is stronger is not worth it. The goal is the same: the speedy neutralization of the enemy, survival in a critical situation. As a rule, there is no question of morality either. This includes the bartitsa of the British or the Israeli Krav Maga. These are purely applied, utilitarian types. Often they are distributed among special services, in army practice.
Mixed martial arts. Everything is clear from the name. Everything is mixed up. A minimum of restrictions, but there are still rules. Purpose: to find out who is cooler. Athletes have to use a variety of techniques and techniques. Adherents of one particular style have never achieved anything here. As an example, one can name combat sambo, kudo or ancient Greek pankration.
Fashion is fashion
Below is a brief collection of the most popular types of martial arts. Most of them are of oriental origin. The peculiarity of oriental thinking makes it possible to conserve and systematize the acquired and borrowed experience, which made it possible to create and develop many types of martial arts.
French boxing, French kickboxing. Originally from the port cities of France. Street fighting style. A combination of kicks with boxing hand technique. The main difference from other techniques is that kicks are mainly in the lower tier, below the waist. As an integral part, there is fencing with canes, which has passed into the English system of self-defense - bartitsa. Convincing victories of savaters over fighters of other styles prove the effectiveness of this type of martial arts. At one time he had an influence on kickboxing.
A modern descendant of the fisticuffs of antiquity. An extremely spectacular sport. A very rational and effective system of strikes and defense has become an integral part of many types of martial arts. From savate to muay thai.
It is rather an applied direction of wushu. Although it uses the experience and techniques of many schools and directions. According to one version (there are many) invented by a woman. Either way, this style allows smaller fighters to take on much larger opponents. It is noteworthy that one of the outstanding fighters of this school was the great.
Way of the leading fist. Designed by Bruce Lee. It is rather a method, a style feature that can be used in any kind of martial arts. Basically, it's a principle. Nevertheless, it proved its effectiveness and efficiency both by the master himself and by his students and followers.
Corrupted European name. It would be more correct to call it jujutsu. Japanese art of hand-to-hand combat, very diverse in technique and style. The main difference is a soft escape from direct attacks. The most "samurai" applied look. Influenced many other sports from sambo and judo to MMA.
A sporty form of jiu-jitsu. In some form, an emasculated subspecies of it. Removed all shock and obviously dangerous for the enemy equipment, left mainly throwing. But even in this form, a fairly effective means of self-defense.
Complex of Chinese martial arts. Originates from Indian martial yoga. Served as a base for many species around the world from Okinawa and Korea to Brazil. He attaches great importance to internal training - meditation and teaching about the movement and regulation of the flow of vital energy. He pays a lot of attention to medical practices. It is characterized by rather rounded movements. It has many schools and directions from very soft or health-improving to hard, power.
Brazilian look. A mixture of dance, acrobatics, combat, games. In its modern form, it is rather a non-contact method. Although full-contact duels are also known. In terms of efficiency, a rather controversial look, but an excellent school for developing flexibility, coordination, and speed. A very entertaining sport.
Originally the art of imperial bodyguards. The first mention in historical sources refers to the VIII century. Purpose: to find out which of the fighters is stronger on the round ground. Technique, oddly enough, is very diverse. Throws, pushes, trips, blows with an open palm. It is popular mainly in Japan. But outstanding sumo wrestlers can be of very different origins. Now, for example, the names of a Czech and a Mongol appear among the strongest wrestlers. There are no weight categories in sumo, and therefore the dimensions of the athlete are of great importance for victory. Nevertheless, there are cases of multiple victories of fighters weighing less than a centner over two hundred kilogram opponents.
Thai boxing or muay thai. Thai ancient martial art mixed with Indochinese styles. Very tough look. But very effective as applied. Often referred to as a street fighting style or an eight-limbed fight - in Muay Thai, punches can be applied to almost everything: elbows, knees, feet ...
By and large, more of a direction than a view. This includes Japanese K-1, Thai boxing, and Savat. The use of boxing hand techniques with kicks from taekwondo (taekwondo) and karate. Spectacular and effective sport. Jean-Claude Van Damme is a famous kickboxer.
The martial art comes from Korea. It is characterized by active and varied use of the legs. And both for strikes and for blocks. The famous actor and sportsman Chuck Norris began his career by learning this type of martial arts in South Korea while serving in the army.
Japanese system of defense and attack with minimal direct contact. Initially developed as a self-defense system. It is characterized by short powerful and accurate blows of hands and feet to vulnerable points. It has many schools and directions. From soft, non-contact, to the spartan kyokushin, which is the famous actor and athlete Dolph Lundgren.
Surprisingly, many modern computer simulation games very accurately reproduce the features of various styles and schools. So if you are interested in understanding the intricacies of various martial arts and just having a good time, then our favorite selection of fighting games will help you with this.
Martial arts is a set of skills, techniques and techniques aimed not so much at attack as at protecting loved ones and self-defense. Most of them originate in the East and Asia and have an ancient history and many trends and styles.
There are an incredible number of different martial arts. They can be classified according to the method of combat: with the use of weapons and without; wrestling with legs, arms, in clutch; on ancient arts and quite new ones. It can also be divided on a regional basis: into European, Eastern and other martial arts. Speaking about European fighting techniques, we can mention Greco-Roman wrestling, which has been included in the program of the Olympic Games, the World Championship and Europe for quite a long time. It originated in ancient Greece and has received modern development in France. Boxing is an ancient martial art in special gloves, it can also be seen in the Olympic “arena”. Unlike Greco-Roman wrestling, where the legs are not used, Savate or French boxing is built mainly on kicking techniques. Baritzu is a mixed English martial art described by Arthur Conan Doyle in books about Sherlock Holmes, thereby making him even more famous. German jujutsu teaches the art of self-defense. Sambo is a hand-to-hand combat technique created in the USSR, based on judo techniques. Fencing is a very beautiful and elegant form of martial art, which is a set of techniques for owning hand-held melee weapons. There are many more martial arts originating in the east, and often their essence is much deeper than just fighting and self-defense. Most of all different techniques and fighting styles in China. For all of them there is a common name kung fu or wushu, almost all of them originate from the famous Shaolin monastery. Japan rightfully owns the most popular martial art in the world - karate. Contact between rivals is minimized there, victory is achieved by applying crushing blows with the limbs to pain points. In judo and jiu-jitsu, on the contrary, a lot of grabs, holds, chokes and throws are used. Aikido is a relatively young fighting technique that tempers not only the body, but also the spirit. Sumo is an unusual and spectacular form of Japanese martial arts. Heavyweight opponents may only touch the ring with their feet - anything else is considered a loss. Of the martial arts of Japan with the use of weapons, kendo, nunchaku-jutsu, kobujutsu and kabudo can be distinguished. Masters of kendo are fluent in the Japanese sword - katana. Nunchaku-jutsu teaches techniques with nunchaku - oriental edged weapons, which are two sticks connected by a chain or cord. And the other two types of martial arts use in their practice improvised objects and special edged weapons designed for defense and attack.
Despite the fact that it is not easy to achieve results in any type of martial arts and you will have to go through many injuries and unfortunate failures, engaging in any martial arts will not only give you a sense of self-confidence and your strengths, but will also raise your overall social status.
Karate (karate-do). One of the most popular martial arts both in Russia and around the world. It is considered Japanese, although its history dates back to the distant island of Okinawa. Already in the 19-20 centuries. this type of martial arts has become widespread in the main archipelago of Japan. Gradually, most styles of karate became less combative and more athletic. It is worth noting that the original Okinawan style was particularly cruel and had absolutely nothing to do with sports.
Kung fu (wushu). This collective term means a common name for a large number of Chinese martial arts. In Russia, the term "hand-to-hand combat" means everything related to any kind of combat training. In China, all major martial arts are called "kung fu". Moreover, in this case, the term "wushu" is more familiar to the Chinese themselves.
Jujutsu (jiu-jitsu). Given historical data, jujutsu is the hand-to-hand combat techniques of Japanese samurai. Like, there are many styles of this martial art. The techniques and techniques have a lot in common with judo and karate.
Judo. In this period, this type of martial art is a wrestling sport. Techniques and techniques based on jujutsu have been developed.
Aikido. This is the most popular descendant of jiu-jitsu. This type of martial art is characterized by tactful removal of the enemy from balance. A variety of defense techniques and the use of the opponent's energy against himself are also welcome.
Taekwondo (taekwondo). This is a Korean martial art with a variety of kicking techniques. It is worth noting that there is a more combative and effective style - keksul. It is studied by Korea. However, it is impossible to find an instructor for this type of martial art outside the country.
Muay Thai. This species is especially developed in Thailand. The main emphasis is on hard punches with knees and elbows. This type of martial art is very traumatic.
European and Russian martial arts
Boxing. This is one of the oldest martial arts in Europe. The main direction is to learn how to perform punches without special boxing gloves, so as not to injure the hand in the future. You also need to be able to defend yourself against blows below the belt.
Savate (French boxing). This system is a kind of street fighting with a lot of trips, sweeps and kicks to the lower level.
Sambo. On the basis of national methods of wrestling and judo, this system was created in the USSR. It is intended both for training in hand-to-hand combat of special representatives of law enforcement agencies, and
Let's start with the fact that the best school is the one that suits you personally, your physical form and vision of yourself in martial arts. You can succeed in any of them, if you have a desire - but for mastering the peaks of sumo, asthenics, for example, will have to spend more time. In the end, martial arts are the same training, only with shock or throwing techniques.
Different areas of martial arts develop different qualities and even muscle groups. Some of them teach you how to use the energy of an opponent, others are aimed at practicing powerful punches, others with legs, and others will build endurance or develop jumping ability.
In some ways, martial arts are reminiscent of yoga: in them you can find your spiritual path, or you can only take the technique and learn to stand up for yourself. Below is a description of the most popular types of martial arts, which will help you decide on the choice of school.
Jujutsu
This martial art is suitable for those who want to learn self-defense techniques. Jiu-jitsu emphasizes the skills of a fighter on the ability to defend himself, to free himself from captures, to use tactics not to attack, but to use the opponent's strength to his advantage.
Kicks and punches are present, but the technique does not roll into hand-to-hand combat. The main thing here is the efficient use of energy (one's own and someone else's), which allows you to defeat a larger and stronger opponent. Jiu-jitsu does not belong to the aggressive types, this martial art pumps dexterity and dexterity.
taekwondo
This Korean martial art is so popular that in 1988 it was included in the program of the Olympic Games. The translation of the name into Russian: “the path of the hand and foot”, which unequivocally hints at the upcoming mastery of the art of strikes with all limbs. Taekwondo combines both attack and self-defense techniques, besides, these are exercises, an official sport, meditative techniques and a whole oriental philosophy.
In the current state of taekwondo, the emphasis is on defense and control. The emphasis is on standing kicks, as the legs can reach farther and deal more damage than the hands. In the technique of martial arts - various sweeps, painful holds, strikes with an open palm and grabs.
Aikido
One of the youngest martial arts in Japan. Just like many martial arts of the Land of the Rising Sun, aikido includes physical and spiritual practices. It is also effective as a development of strength, dexterity, the ability to stand up for oneself - regardless of physical data. Aikido is the art of protection for everyone, because there are no restrictions on age and physical development.
Aikido techniques for the most part consist in using the opponent's attack, controlling his energy, strength and movement, which ends with throws or grabs. The name itself reflects this: “aiki” means “connection with power”, “do” means the way.
wushu
A very spectacular sport with full contact. This Chinese martial art has a lot of strength, acrobatics, jumps, balancing, beautiful poses and strikes (like in a movie). Another name is kung fu, since the term "wushu" itself refers to all traditional Chinese martial arts.
There are hundreds of wushu subspecies, somewhere more than acrobatics and "stage skills", somewhere - powerful blows and tricks, sweeps and "turntables". The main thing you need to know before making a choice in favor of this martial art is that wushu develops strength well, and the fighting styles taught in Russian kung fu schools are reminiscent of Thai boxing.
Judo
Translated from Japanese - "soft (flexible) way." Judo is based on throws, painful holds, strangulations. Movements should be economical in terms of physical strength, there is less waste of energy, but more improvement of the spirit, more self-defense, more sports training. More than 20 million people practice judo all over the world, because it has a good educational character and teaches the harmony of soul and body.
Unlike boxing, karate, and other striking styles, judo only explores hand-to-hand combat techniques to perform throws and grapples. This martial art formed the basis of other modern martial arts: the creators of aikido, sambo, Brazilian jiu-jitsu were engaged in it.
Despite the sports orientation and following the rules of the competition, no one would want to meet a judoka in an extreme situation. These are always prepared people who will repulse any villain in a dark alley.
Sambo
Sambo is a system of self-defense without weapons, which was developed in the USSR. Judo, Armenian koch, Tatar kuresh and many other martial arts formed the basis of martial arts.
At the heart of practical sambo is a complex of effective defense and attack techniques that have already been worked out by centuries of martial arts-donors. It is noteworthy that SAMBO is constantly developing, including new techniques and techniques in its arsenal. The philosophy of martial arts resembles the principles of the TRP: physical development, readiness for self-defense, detention of the enemy, education of moral stamina.
Karate
Or karate-do, translated from Japanese - "empty sleeve". From 2020, martial arts will become an Olympic sport, although it was originally a hand-to-hand style for self-defense.
Now karate is incredibly popular, in part, thanks to spectacular demonstrations. Masters at demonstration performances show the strength and power of the practiced blows, breaking thick boards with a blow of the palm or breaking blocks of ice.
Unlike many Japanese martial arts, karateka does not use grips, painful and suffocating techniques. But they know how to hit an opponent in vital points of the body with accurate and powerful blows. Crushing and biting urakens, spectacular and swift ura-mawashi-geri... Perhaps, you won't find a more Japanese style.
Boxing
Boxing is a classic that it makes no sense to talk about in detail. It's worth mentioning that this sport produces fighters who REALLY know how to use their hands, and in a street fight they are difficult to compete with. By the way, does everyone remember the fight between UFC star Conor McGregor and professional boxer Mayweather? That's the same.
If you want to enroll in a boxing section, you should be aware of some of the nuances. Firstly, it is difficult for a boxer to cope with an armed opponent, and secondly, with kicks. The third point - in an extreme situation, you will not have gloves, a referee, ropes and a girl with a sign. On the other hand, dodge punches and knock out boxers in the blood, so attack and defense are balanced here.
Thai boxing
Muay Thai is the martial art of Thailand, it is very popular all over the world and competes with karate, judo and sambo. Perhaps this is the art of combat that is closest to a real duel. There are strict rules here, but the blows are the same. Here - full contact, striking technique with arms and legs, and targets - the most vulnerable places on the body.
Grabs and throws are also important, especially chokes. If you master this martial art, you will be able to confidently walk through the most dangerous areas of the city (but it’s better not to do it anyway), because the training will be harsh. Thais are preparing real fighters without rules who can resist any opponent.
It may be difficult for you to combine training and public speaking at work, as sometimes you will have bruises on your face and marks from grips on your neck.
Kickboxing
Another type of martial arts that prepares for real fights. Kickboxing was formed by karate masters who did not want to obey the sporting rules of martial arts. The new style incorporated kicking techniques from several oriental styles and boxing fist techniques.
Kickboxing is popular in culture, because it is spectacular, dynamic and somewhat “bloody” - full contact leaves cuts and bruises, so athletes usually use a cap, a helmet (to protect their heads from kicks) and also an inguinal shell (for girls - a cuirass).
Kickboxers are similar to CrossFitters in that they build strength, endurance, coordination, speed, and flexibility.
Professional boxers, Muay Thai, judoists, sambists are always dangerous opponents. Choose martial arts to your liking, but do not forget: the best fight is the one that did not take place. In this sense, running can also be called martial arts for real pacifists.
All types of martial arts originate from ancient times, when fighting styles were developed and used on enemies to protect families, villages and tribes. Of course, at first the old martial arts were rather primitive and did not reveal the capabilities of the human body, but over time they were improved and transformed into completely different directions, making them more cruel and aggressive (Thai boxing) or, conversely, soft, but no less effective (Wing Chun). ).
Ancient martial arts
Most historians consider wushu to be the ancestor of all martial arts, but in refutation of this there are other opinions supported by facts:
- The very first martial art arose in 648 BC and was called "Greek pankration".
- The Turkic people, who lived on the territory of modern Uzbekistan, developed the martial art "Kerash", which became the ancestor of modern martial arts.
- The Hindus, like other peoples, also practiced the creation of an effective method of fighting and, according to many historians, it was they who laid the foundation for the development of martial schools in China and the rest of the East.
Note: the third hypothesis is considered the most realistic, and its study continues even now.
Martial arts: types and differences
In the East, martial arts have a completely different purpose than in Europe or America, here everything is not so much in self-defense as in the spiritual development of a person through the performance of physical tasks, the correct overcoming of which allows you to reach the next level of harmony of the soul.
The best types of martial arts in European countries are based solely on self-defense and the protection of a person and society, but in the oriental arts of warfare everything is completely different, there cripple a person is considered not the best solution to the problem.
When considering martial arts, China most often starts with China, which, according to many people, introduced the martial arts of oriental origin to other states, but there are many other countries in the east that practice their martial arts and gain followers around the world with great success.
Karate and judo are the most popular martial arts. Types, of course, are not limited to just two styles, no, there are quite a few of them, but there are even more subspecies of both famous methods, and today many schools insist that their style is real and priority.
Chinese martial arts
In ancient China, people practiced wushu, but until 520, this type of martial arts was at a dead point in development, and only helped protect the country's inhabitants from raids by surrounding tribes and feudal lords.
In 520 BC, a monk named Bodhidharma from the territory of modern India comes to China and, under an agreement with the Emperor of the country, creates his own residence on the territory of the Shaolin Monastery, where he begins to practice merging his knowledge of martial arts with Chinese wushu.
Bodhidharma did not work on a simple fusion of wushu and his martial art, he did a great job, during which China switched to Buddhism, although it had previously professed Confucianism and in some parts of the country Taoism. But the most important achievement of a monk from India is the transformation of wushu into a spiritual art with elements of gymnastics and at the same time strengthening the combat side of martial arts.
After the work of the Indian monasteries, they began to develop wushu directions and create sports, martial and health styles of martial arts. After spending many years teaching the Chinese, wushu masters reached the island of Okinawa (previously not owned by Japan, but practiced jiu-jitsu), where they studied Japanese styles of martial arts and developed the famous karate.
Japanese martial arts
The first in Japan is jiu-jitsu, which was not based on contact with the enemy, but on how to succumb to him and win.
During the development of self-defense, the basis was the state of mind and focus on the enemy in such a way that the fighter stopped seeing the environment and completely concentrated on the opponent.
Jiu-jitsu is the founder of today's judo, with the exception of traumatic throws and fatal blows to the enemy, but the basis of both arts of fighting the enemy is the same - to succumb in order to win.
Combat sports
Popular martial arts do not only exist in the form of serious fighting techniques, and many of them have styles that were originally developed as combat sports. There are dozens of types of contact techniques that are related to sports today, but the most popular are boxing, karate, judo, but mixed martial arts MMA and others are gradually gaining popularity.
One of the first to come to the sport was boxing, the purpose of which was to cause maximum harm to the enemy so that he could not see or the judge stopped the fight due to the abundance of blood. Judo and karate, unlike boxing, are soft, forbid contacts in the face, which is why they are valued not as but as martial arts. Sports like boxing or mixed martial arts are gaining popularity because of the contact and aggression shown, which gives them high ratings.
Other types of martial arts
Each country has its own martial arts, which were developed in the style of behavior of the inhabitants or their living conditions.
A serious example of the development of a martial art in terms of lifestyle and weather conditions is the ancient Russian style of fighting lyubka.
In the old days, it prepared ordinary peasants for self-defense even against professional soldiers, for which it was invented on the basis of local weather conditions. During Maslenitsa, the peasants played a popular game on ice, where several rows of residents (men) walked at each other and had to break through the enemy's "wall", and physical contact was allowed (with the exception of the face and groin area).
The ice prepared the peasants for difficulty and forced them to learn to maintain balance even in difficult conditions for this, and the martial art itself was not aimed at harming, however, the fighters should have knocked out the enemy (unconsciousness).