Notes from the Tigers Cave

If you want to practice a self defence program, it would be a great idea to study the various forms of Chinese, Korean and Japanese martial arts so that you can make an informed choice about the style that best suits your requirements. Remember, every type has its own unique set of qualities and style that you would want to know more about before you take up self defense classes.

Korean Martial Arts

In Korea, the most popular fighting styles are taekwondo and hapkido. Both are effective self-defense forms, although it’s the former that flourished in the United States and in different western countries. Taekwondo became famous not only for its high kicks and defensive strategies but also for the teachings and philosophy surrounding it. Taekwondo and hapkido were first introduced in the United States after the Korean War.

Today, taekwondo is a recognized competitive sport in the Olympics. Training in this martial art would require use of breaking boards and fast action kicks. You need to complete each training grade to be able to earn a belt. Hapkido, meanwhile, involves less kicking and more wrist locking and throwing.

Japanese Martial Arts

There are five different classifications of Japanese martial arts:

• Aikido – developed by Morihei Ueshiba; the defender blends with the motion of the attacker and redirects the force of the attack.
• Judo – founded by Dr Kano Jigoro; the object is to throw and subdue one’s opponent.
• Jujitsu – a method of close combat for defeating an armed and armored opponent either bare handed or with a short weapon.
• Karate – a striking art using punches, kicks, knee and elbow jabs, and open-handed techniques chops.
• Kendo – sword-fighting based on traditional Japanese swordsmanship, using bamboo practice swords.[

In the United States, all these forms of fighting are taught and practiced in martial arts classes. What makes Japanese fighting style stand out is the straight line attack that it incorporates in its movements.

Chinese Martial Arts

If you ask people about Chinese martial arts, you’ll often hear the words, kung fu and Bruce Lee. That’s because kung fu is the most widely known Chinese martial arts fighting style and Bruce Lee is the most famous kung fu fighter whom even the present generation knows about.

Chinese martial arts began in 12th century and since then have branched out to several forms, with kung fu maintaining as the most famous form. The oldest forms started in Shaolin monasteries. Kung fu also has various styles and moves but it focuses on acrobatic moves and fighting techniques. Chinese fighting style emphasize on strength, balance, and weapon proficiency. Modern kung fu styles have emerged over the recent years. Some of which you’ll find in Hollywood movies starring Jacky Chan and Jet Li.

Self defence training requires a lot of dedication and effort, which is why right from the start you need to make the right decision on which particular type of fighting form to undertake. Once you’ve decided, you can buy self defence videos or go to martial arts training classes to pursue your aspiration. Make sure you choose a class or video that will give you the best kind of training. You may go online to check your choices on self defense videos or go around your location to find a worthy martial arts training school. Good luck!

For more details about self defense videos & self defense training, please visit us online.

In Japan Judo is one of the many martial arts forms and is an offshoot of Jujitsu, a much older martial art. Judo is one of Japan’s most popular forms of martial art, but I must admit that it’s not something I have much experience of apart from a few sessions as a P. E. option at secondary school. As I remember it seemed to consist mostly of attempting to grab your opponents judo suit while trying to prevent him grabbing yours and ended with both parties grovelling around in the dust.

Personally, I prefer Aikido, which I practised at university but not with any degree of proficiency. I do still have my “boken” (wooden practice sword), but it has languished unused for several years now.

Anyway, setting aside my personal prejudices, one thing that Judo and Aikido have in common is that they both emphasize using an opponent’s force against him. In this way, it is quite possible for a smaller, lighter person to deal with a heavier assailant.

I’d like to welcome back guest blogger Troy Macraft, who has contributed an article about Japanese Judo and the Olympics.

Over to you, Troy…

Jigoro Kano (right) and Kyuzo Mifune

Originally, judo was practiced in feudal Japan as a fighting method known as Jujitsu. Jujitsu began in the 1530′s, and by the mid-1800′s there were over seven hundred different Japanese jujitsu systems. In 1882, Dr. Jigoro Kano, then the President of University of Education in Tokyo, Japan, combined the best and most effective techniques from the numerous forms of jujitsu to form the marital art known as Judo.

Here is a short clip of Jigoro Kano demonstrating some disarming techniques which give an indication of the origins of Judo in the older forms of Jujitsu.

For years, Japanese judo students have enjoyed learning this martial art for reasons of fitness, conditioning, knowledge of self-defense, and increased self confidence. The first time judo was seen in the Olympics was at the 1932 Games in Los Angeles, where Kano and some Japanese judo students gave a demonstration. However, judo was not included in the Olympics as a competitive sport until the 1964 games in Tokyo, Japan.

At this time, only twenty-seven countries participated in the judo events. Only men were allowed to compete in the judo competitions, and there were three weight categories.

Since then, the popularity of judo as an Olympic event has grown considerably. Women were first given the opportunity to compete in the judo events at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics in Spain. Seven weight categories for both men and women were available in 1992, with the men’s categories ranging from 60 – 100+ kilograms and the women’s categories ranging from 48 – 78+ kilograms.

Judo, like other martial arts, requires specialized clothing, supplies, sparring equipment, and protective gear. Judo uniforms are made for comfort and ease of movement. It is important that judo uniforms do not hinder the speed or concentration of the judo student or competitor. During judo training, sparring equipment and protective gear is used to allow the student to imitate judo moves without causing injury. Although judo does not employ the more forceful moves of other martial arts forms, there is still a chance that the student will suffer an injury during practice.

Protective gear includes mouth-guards, padded headgear, and chest and stomach protectors. Sparring equipment for the judo practitioner includes padded shields for the sparring partner to hold. This helps to prevent injury to the sparring partner.

Troy Macraft is an independent content writer who specializes in the martial arts. Troy’s passion is in the mixed martial arts as he is working for The MMA Zone as the online martial arts supplies store. Shop The MMA Zone for great prices on all your Sparring Gear!