Translating the Martial Arts can be a nightmare. What does it all mean. Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Thai, Cantonese, Mandarin. Then there is Russian, Israeli, Vietnamese – the list goes on.
Let us stick to the basics here and just look at the names of the styles and what country they are generally considered to be from.
There is Tae Kwon Do, Tai Chi and Thai Boxing or Muay Thai. They all contain the word Tie spelt in different ways: Tae, Tai, Thai so are they all the same – definitely not.
I have used links from various sources, some may argue about the originals of Martial Arts styles and the translations and but I have tried to keep it simple. So here are some translations
Japanese
Karate – Empty Hand – involves mostly striking and blocking techniques. Many different styles such as Shotokan, Wado-ryu, Kenpo and Goju-ryu.
Judo – The gentle way or the way of giving way – Originated from JuiJitsu. Involves mostly throwing techniques and is known as a competitive sport.
Jui Jitsu – Gentle Art – Involves holds, throws and strikes and originated from the Samurai class. Spelt in various ways such as Jujitsu and Jujutsu.
Aikido – Way of harmonizing energy – Its aim is to turn an attacker’s strength and momentum against himself.
Kendo – Way of the Sword – Traditional Japanese style of fencing with a two-handed wooden sword, derived from the fighting methods of the ancient Samurai.
Ninjutsu – The strategy and tactics of unconventional warfare – The traditional Japanese art of stealth, camouflage, and sabotage, developed in feudal times for espionage and now practised as a martial art.
Sumo – To mutually rush at – A form of heavyweight wrestling, in which a wrestler wins a bout by forcing his opponent outside a marked circle or by making him touch the ground with any part of his body except the soles of his feet.
Chinese
Kung Fu – Skill – In China, it refers to any study, learning, or practice that requires patience, energy, and time to complete. There are many styles such as Wing Chun, Wushu, Lau Gar, Praying Mantis and Five Animal styles. Tai Chi is also considered as a form of Kung Fu.
Tai Chi Chuan – Supreme Ultimate Fist – It employs flowing, rhythmic, deliberate movements, with carefully prescribed stances and positions, but in practice no two masters teach the system exactly alike. It may be used with or without weapons. There are several styles of Tai Chi including Yang, Chen, Sun and Cheng Man Ching.
Korean
Taekwondo – Hand, foot, art – Unarmed combat that is based on the earlier form of Korean self defence known as tae kyon and on karate. The name tae kwon do was officially adopted for this martial art in 1955 after that name had been submitted by the South Korean general Choi Hong-Hi, the principal founder of tae kwon do.
Tang Soo Do – The way of the tang hand – Developed from a combination of Kung Fu and Karate. Maybe considered as as traditional form of Taekwondo.
Hapkido – The way of coordinating energy – Very similar to Aikido with a combination similar to Tang Soo Do. It also makes use of weapons.
Thailand
Muay Thai – Art of eight limbs – It was developed several hundreds of years ago as a form of close-combat that utilizes the entire body as a weapon. Also known as Thai Boxing.
Israel
Krav Maga – Contact combat – A military style fighting system incorporating aspects of Karate, Judo, Aikido, Wrestling and Boxing. It is known for its focus on real-world situations and its extreme efficiency. The system was created for use by the Israel military
…and there’s more
It is believed there are as many as 200 different styles of Martial Arts. Many have different styles within styles. Some date back hundreds of years and other may have been formed recently, within the 21st Century. Different schools vary and different instructors have a different emphasis on what they teach.
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