Karate versus Tae Kwon Do
Through my advanced training in the martial art of tae kwon do, I have come to realize the numerous benefits that this sport has to offer. I have gained many things including knowledge of self-defense, excellent physical conditioning, and a refreshing outlook on life. The rewards are abundant, however they require an immense amount of effort to achieve. Each martial art is unique and has distinct contributions of its own. This is why it is difficult to hear people generalize they are all the same. What people do not realize is the enormous difference between the individual martial arts. Today, the two most popular martial arts in the world are karate and tae kwon do. On the outside, they both seem very similar, in actuality they are on opposite sides of the spectrum.
Karate and tae kwon do originated in two different places for different reasons. The Korean peninsula was the setting for the development of tae kwon do. It was 1,500 years ago when a group of young men called the Silla set out to begin a new way of life. The goals of the Silla were to develop the complete mind, body, and spirit. Their daily routine consisted of self-defense, religious and educational training, and physical conditioning. These "knights" laid the roots for the expansion of tae kwon do. On the other hand, karate originated 2,000 years ago in Okinawa. It was a sport taught to the entire population as self-defense against invading armies such as the Samari of Japan. Over time, karate became a way of life for almost all of China.
The fighting styles of tae kwon do and karate differ greatly. As karate expanded throughout eastern Asia, there have been many adaptations in its fighting style, but it has never strayed from its focus. Karate is a martial art that uses 50 percent hands and 50 percent feet. If you are a karate stylist, you want to be relatively close to your attacker for quick hand attacks. Tae kwon do self-defense relies heavily on swift foot attacks with an emphasis on flying and spinning kicks. Higher-ranking students practice extraordinary acrobatic kicks. These martial arts differ greatly in their approach to fighting.
"Tae" means foot (to kick), "kwon" means hand (to punch), and "do" represents way of life. Karate literally means "open hand" and signifies a heart devoid of corrupt intentions. Both martial arts strive to unify the mind, body, and spirit into "one entity", while aiming at the ultimate goal of helping to build a better and more peaceful world.
Even though knights and samurai have many similarities, they have their differences. Knight’s armor and weapons were different. The knights also had different training. Lastly, they followed different codes. The little differences that set knights and samurai apart give knights an advantage in a one on one
To begin, it is generally difficult to pinpoint a consensus date for the commencement of a martial arts tradition in Japan because the learning of these arts was mostly done orally and through practice. It is by and large agreed upon that all of the Oriental martial arts have their roots in China, from the founder of Zen Buddhism, the Indian monk Bodhidarma (Daruma for the Japanese), in the 6th century. The principles of Zen Buddhism would later be reflected in most of the ph...
The style of Kung Fu that I study originated in Northern China, in the Shaolin Monastery. It’s been passed down from teacher to student for a long time, and its true origins and history are shrouded in some mystery. I’ve found that the influence of the Shaolin Monastery’s surroundings is of little significance when it comes to both geography and the surrounding plants and animals. I found that customs are passed down from generation to generation, and that multiple philosophies contributed to the development of Northern Shaolin Kung Fu.
Today, most modern styles of Tai Chi Chuan trace their development to at least one of the four traditional schools: Chen, Yang, Wu, or Sun.3 The most common style of Tai Chi currently practiced in the states is Tai Chi Chuan.4 This type of Tai Chi comes from the definitions: Tai Chi- meaning infinity, the absolute. It contains dynamic and static movement: it is the mother of Yin and Yang, of everything male and female. It is the root of motion, which is division, and of stillness, which is union.5 Chuan- or fist, is the symbol of unity between body and mind.4 Tai Chi Chuan must neither be overdone nor underdone: it must be exact. Comprehension comes from growing an understanding, plus effort and this leads one gradually to full enlightenment.4
Martial Arts and MMA doesn’t just make people better fighters. It benefits them in a wide spectrum of ways. Self confidence but not conceit soon exudes from the students. They are more assertive, respectful and attentive, developing hard working and adaptation skills, gaining a new perspective on life, and the list goes on and on. You will not be disappointed by the results you receive on many different levels. Westpoint understands these principles because they are the foundation of their business – to help you along the way – as that is what it’s all about, teamwork!
The exact origins of Jujitsu are unclear, as most of its history was passed on in the oral tradition. The few early written references show that its origins date back to Japanese mythology, where it is said that the gods, Kajima and Kadori, used Jujitsu to discipline the lawless and wild inhabitants of the Eastern provinces. Therefore, by definition, the art is nearly 2000 years old, however records do exist which show that the art was being practiced as far back as the 8th Century, over twelve hundred years ago. Jujitsu was formalised and most popular during the Edo period of Japan. This was the era of the Samurai. Jujitsu was the Samurai’s main set of combat techniques, after the sword. Jujitsu was a part of the Samurai’s fighting skills, something he could use when he was unable to use his favourite weapon.
karate dojo in 1946, headed what became the most sizably voluminous international karate federation in history, and trained many of America's top karate competitors. He was by turns fatherly, arrogant, outgoing and secretive, and had associated himself at one time or another with virtually every consequential karate master in Japan. Corroborating sources for much of his personal history are fragmentary (as with much of the history of karate in general) and his daughter, Dr. Roberta Trias-Kelley, a superb martial artist to whom he bequeathed leadership of the system upon his death in 1989, perpetuates to edify Shuri-ryu karate and sell her father’s publications from her headquarters dojo, Trias Karate, in Phoenix, Arizona.
Thousands of years ago different styles of Korean martial arts where combined to create Kuk Sool Won (Tan). However, it was not until the war of World War II that Kuk Sool Won really came into affect (Hallander, "Come" 20). The outlawing of guns caused criminals to carry knifes; and therefore, law enforcement officers in Korea were taught Kuk Sool Won as self-defense (20).
Kempo teaches self-defense. Self-defense is the defense of one's person or interests through the use of physical force. The art of Kempo is a process of learning a skill through repetition. As stated in the article written by Pamela Knudson, she states “Aug. 05--Watch Casey Mihalek lead the white-clad, barefoot members of his karate class at ATA Martial Arts in Grand Forks and you'll see a well-orchestrated training regimen with a purpose: self-defense infused with discipline and respect”(Knudson). When you learn techniques such as the kicks and blocks from an instructor you will need practice to build these skills and the more you practice Kempo the more it seem like second nature. As stated in the article written by Kristin E. Holmes, she states “Genell, 46, a safety director for a demolition company, operated a karate studio for seven years, but decided to focus on teaching adaptive martial arts after being inspired during a stint at a camp for children with disabilities”(Holmes). Once you have acquired these skills you no longer have to think about the techniques you will automatically react with self-defenses moves.
Karate taught me the importance of being dependable. My classmates depended on me to show up time. If someone was late, we were all required to do push ups. For example, I was late to class once, and because of that everyone had to do forty pushups. Making everyone do forty push ups is a quick way to make enemies, so I did not want to be late again. Similarly, it has taught me to always try my best. If I, or anyone in the class, was caught slacking everyone was required to do push
Have you ever walked into a karate school and wondered what all of the rigid hierarchy and bowing is all about? Are you currently a new member of a karate studio and are wondering what all of the foreign words and chanting means? Or are you an avid student who still wonders what it all means when you enter your "Mini Martial Arts Experience" every Wednesday evening at 6pm? Lots of people share your confusion and many people wonder if it is all necessary.
There are many historical aspects of the Japanese, but the most interesting is the history of the Samurai. In Japans history war played a large role in the country. Controlling clans fought for parts of the land and overall control of the country. These clans were powerful families that resided in the country and who all wanted power and control of Japan for themselves. The families that would be in control were known as Shoguns. These shoguns would have warriors that fought for them if any of the other clan families would try to attack him in order to overthrow him and take his power from him. The Samurai followed a code that developed from Chinese beliefs when in battle. The Samurais code was known as the Bushido. This code was also known as “The Way of The Warrior” which was the main belief s...
Martial arts are both a way of exercising and a sport.There are many different types of martial arts that whom one can practice them. They all may seem familiar, but they are actually very different. Generally, martial arts are looked as a cool sport, very dangerous, and a lot of body combat. Taekwondo has been on of the main ones.This sport can be seen as just kicking and punching, but in reality, there is a lot that the sport has to offer. This sport is good for enhanced agility, power, balance, flexibility, and endurance. It is a sport for both boys and girls it doesn’t lean to one or the other. Taekwondo may seem like a horrible sport since it's a form of martial arts, but it teaches you more than just fighting.
It was drilled into me that karate was for self-defense only. In fact, if a karate instructor heard that I used karate for anything else they would kick me out of class. I learned a lot of self-defense techniques that could save my life. Some of the thing I learned were how to get out of different kinds of choke holds, knife disarms, stick disarms and much more. I am lucky enough that I have never had to use any of these techniques; no one had better mess with me.
...e respect, honor, and loyalty make this difference for me, but there is something to be said about the comparison. I find that the knights are very efficient, great warriors, and are very similar to samurai’s in a lot of ways. They both wear armor, they both train from a young age, and both are taught about honor, loyalty, and respect; but samurais are taught more effectively in their training, and the Japanese concepts were better. So to answer the essential question of this essay, I would say that there is certainly a large amount of similarities between the two warriors, but if you would consider the samurai’s skills that are better, or enhanced; to be differences, than I would have to conclude with no. The ‘differences’, are far too great in my opinion to say that the similarities are so great that they are almost the same, because they are very different indeed.