Martial Arts: Sumo (Sumo Wrestling)
Sumo, as a martial art, dates back to the early 8th century in Japan where it was originally part of religious ceremonies. Sumo was then later introduced to ceremonies held by the Imperial Court. Historically, it is interesting to note that Jujutsu is actually an offshoot of Sumo wrestling.
Originally Sumo contained elements of boxing and wrestling, but over time rules were gradually introduced which transformed it to resemble the Sumo wrestling that we know today.
The Sumo rules are simple: Two competitors wearing mawashi (silk belts) push and pull each other within a circle of 4.5 meters in diameter. The first person to leave the ring or touch the ground with any part of the body except the sole of the feet, loses the bout.
Sumo is now the national sport of Japan and immensely popular. It is also unique to Japan. Sumo wrestlers enjoy a very high regard in the Japanese society.
Most rikishi (Sumo wrestlers) are professional competitors weighing 100 to 200 kg.
Origin of Sumo: Japan
Martial Arts: Taekwondo (Tae Kwon Do)
Taekwondo (Tae-Kwon-Do, Fist-Foot-Way) is a martial art from Korea (sometimes also spelled Taegwondo). It is a blend of Shotokan Karate with other Chinese and Korean martial arts. Taekwondo places great emphasis on fast, spectacular kicking techniques with very few hand strikes. Competition rules in Taekwondo prohibit the use of throws, holding or grappling. Protective gear is usually worn to allow contact with the body.
Taekwondo tends to place more emphasis on the sport aspect of martial arts. Taekwondo is more of a long range fighting style, due to its use of more kicking than striking. Board breaking is used in belt grading in Taekwondo, to show the power of the techniques being taught (Kyokushin Kai is another martial art that also adheres to this practice).
Taekwondo is popular the world over and is probably the most widely practiced of the martial arts. Taekwondo is now recognised as an Olympic sport, which is sure to popularise it even more.
Origin of Taekwondo: Korea
Founder of Taekwondo: General Choi Hong Hi 1950's (Who earned a 2nd dan in Shotokan Karate while a student in Japan)
Martial Arts: Tai Chi Chuan
Traditional Chinese martial arts styles can be described as Internal or External; Northern or Southern; Hard or Soft. Tai Chi Chuan is considered to be a soft southern style with an emphasis on slow soft movements. These movements are carried out while concentrating on breathing technique and balance.
Tai Chi Chuan is practiced worldwide for its health benefits and improved concentration. It is widely practised for the reduction of stress and tension - not as a combat martial art.
Origin of Tai Chi Chuan: China
Martial Arts: Tang Soo Do
Tang Soo Do is a blend of Korean and Chinese martial art styles, employing both kicking and striking techniques. Tang Soo Do is best described as both a hard and a soft martial art. The meaning of Tang Soo Do is often explained as "Way of the Chinese Hand".
In 1965, the Korea Tang Soo Do Association was established in an attempt to unite the Korean Martial Arts under one name. However, the Tang Soo Do practitioners chose to remain as traditionalists rather than join the sport oriented Tae Kwon Do organization.
Origin of Tang Soo Do: Korea
Founder of Tang Soo Do: Hwang Kee
Popularised by its most famous student, Chuck Norris
Martial Arts: Uechi Ryu
Uechi Ryu is one of the four original styles of karate in Okinawa. Uechi Ryu utilises many kicking and striking techniques drawn from Chinese Kempo. Uechi Ryu practices some of the Goju Ryu kata especially Sanchin, Sanseiru and Sesan. Uechi Ryu also draws other influences from Goju Ryu including low leg kicks, grappling and takedowns. Uechi Ryu is considered a hard style of karate, which is ideally suited to fighting at close range.
Origin of Uechi Ryu: Okinawa
Founder of Uechi Ryu: Uechi Kanbun (+1949)
Popularised by: George Mattson
Martial Arts: Wado Ryu
Wado Ryu was developed by Otsuka Hironori and is one of the four main styles of Japanese karate. Hironori used his knowledge of Shotokan Karate, Jujutsu, grappling and Tai Sabaki to form his own style. Wado Ryu does not practice many of the body toughening exercises common to other styles of karate, preferring rather to use Tai Sabaki (Body Movement) to evade attacks.
Origin of Wado Ryu: Japan
Founder of Wado Ryu: Otsuka Hironori in 1930
Martial Arts: Wing Chun
Wing Chun was developed when several grandmasters of the Shaolin temple systemised the best parts of the Chinese martial arts, to form a martial art that was practical and faster to learn than the other styles. Wing Chun aims to deflect force in combat rather than meet force.
Wing Chun uses a centre line theory that is based around attacking vital targets along a central line of the body. Two weapons are taught, the dragon pole and butterfly knives, which are used as a pair. Wing Chun also uses the wooden dummy to practice striking and blocking techniques. Wing Chun also uses a partner exercise called Chi Sao, where two partners practice various arm exercises together, to gain better reflexes and response to attacks.
Origin of Wing Chun: China
Founder of Wing Chun: Ng Mui (A female nun of the Shaolin Temple)
Popularised by: Yip Man, Bruce Lee, William Cheung
Martial Arts: Yoseikan
Yoseikan is a relatively new style of karate, founded by Hiroo Mochizuki. Hiroo was more than qualified to form a new style, as he trained under his father Minoru Mochizuki, one of the great martial arts masters of the time.
Hiroo also obtained Dan grades in several other martial arts including Wado Ryu, Aikido, Jujutsu, Iaido and Judo. Hiroo was then able to blend together components of all these martial arts to form what is now Yoseikan.
Origin of Yoseikan: Japan
Founder of Yoseikan: Hiroo Mochizuki 1960's
