What Makes Karate Karate?

Many of us have heard of martial arts films. We've seen them, we've heard of fighting styles like karate, kung fu, and tae kwon do. However, if we were ever asked to differentiate between the styles, how many of us in the west would really know how? We throw out the term "karate" as if it applies to any traditional Eastern fighting style, but karate is actually a style distinct from other styles. It also includes its own sub-set styles. So what really makes karate...karate?

Striking

First, karate is primarily a striking art, though not exclusively, like Tae Kwon Do. "Striking" generally refers to quick thrusts like kicks and punches that are aimed at disabling or quickly stopping an attacker. Other martial arts styles like jujutsu are in direct contrast to karate, as they emphasize using ground techniques and wrestling strategies in order to counter an oppontent.

Karate generally functions by teaching its students to defend themselves from strikes using blocks, and then to counter-attack with strikes that will disable the opponent. Karate can include other types of strategies like locks and throws. If you see two martial artists fighting each other through punches and blocks, there is a chance that you're watching karate.

You'll that weapons in karate can be employed, but they are often related to farm tools, as the original practioners of karate were banned from using weapons, and instead training using the tools they had at their disposal.

Goals and Philosophy

Like other martial arts, karate generally has a goal of promoting self-discipline and the ability to defend yourself from an attacker. Karate's method of doing so generally relies on blocks and strikes, rather than directly using an opponent's weight against them, as you often see in jujutsu. Karate is generally a "standing up" form of combat, as opposed to "on the ground" fighting. Mixed martial arts can incorporate both of these types of fighting styles, so karate could be included in the mixed martial arts.

Should you study karate?

The only one who can really tell if karate is for you is you. If you're an aspiring martial arts student who wants to learn a style of fighting that includes standing-up kicks and punches, karate is probably for you. But there are other styles out there, including jujutsu, Tae Kwon Do, wrestling, and grappling. If you're really interest in martial arts, it's best to go with whichever discipline you'll enjoy the most, as this is the discipline you're likely to stick with over the long haul.

Photo Credits: Szift

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attacker, direct contrast, fighting style, kung fu, locks, martial artists, martial arts films, martial arts karate, martial arts styles, mixed martial arts, opponent, philosophy, punches, self discipline, strikes, tae kwon, thrusts, weapons

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Posted by Martial Arts Karate Kung Fu on December 1, 2009 in Martial Arts, karate. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.