Most (but by no means all) martial arts and martial arts originate from Asia. China, Korea and Japan in particular have a long history of self-defense systems. Read more about the origins of Taekwondo, Karate, Judo, Kung Fu and many other systems.
Aikido (Japan)
The term Aikido literally means “the way of harmony with Ki” but many other interpretations are possible. It is a Japanese martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba. read more
Eskrima (Philippines)
Eskrima, Kali and Arnis are the collective names of the Philippine martial arts. These arts originated centuries ago and have continuously developed for their function in (tribal) wars. With Eskrima, the eskrimador learns armed ... read more
Han Mu Do (Korea)
Founded by He-Young Kimm, Han Mu Do is a martial art consisting of hand techniques, weapon mastery, and martial arts philosophy. Kimm integrated the techniques and philosophies of various Korean martial arts, most of them ... read more
Hapkido (Korea)
Hapkido is a Korean martial art. It is a form of self-defense that uses clamps, pressure points, throws, kicks and punches. Practitioners of Hapkido train to counter the techniques of other martial arts. ... read more
Hwarang Do (Korea)
The Korean martial art Hwarang Do was developed by grandmaster Lee Joo Bang. Lee Joo Bang practiced Hapkido but developed his own style and baptized it Hwarang Do. After he came to the United States… read on
Jeet Kune Do
The name of the martial art Jeet Kune Do developed by Bruce Lee literally means 'way of the intercepting fist'. Contrary to popular belief, Jeet Kune Do is not a sport, but a ... read more
Jiu Jitsu (Japan)
Jiu-jitsu literally means the “art of gentleness” but can better be described as “flexible technique”. It is a collective name for Japanese martial arts styles that involve armed and unarmed techniques. Jiu-jitsu... read on
Judo (Japan)
Judo can be literally translated as “gallant manner”. It is a Japanese martial art that originated at the end of the 19th century. The most important part is the competitive element where the goal is to... read more
Karate-do (Okinawa – Japan)
Karate, actually Karate-do is a martial art that originated in the province of Okinawa, which now belongs to Japan. Karate is primarily a standing martial art with an emphasis on punching techniques, kicking techniques, knee... read more
Kempo (China)
The Chinese characters that stand for kempo or kenpo are pronounced Chuan (fist) Fa (way or method). The Japanese, who use the Chinese characters, translate the characters as Ken (sword or fist) and Ho... read on
Kendo (Japan)
Kendo, meaning 'Way of the Sword', is a modern Japanese martial art of swordsmanship, based on traditional Japanese Kenjutsu. Kendo is a physically and mentally challenging activity that challenges the norms and values of ... read more
Kickboxing (Japan and USA)
Kickboxing is a martial art in which both hands and legs may be used. The sport has its origins in Japan and the United States, where it became popular in the early 1970s. Kickboxing in... read more
Kobudo (Japan)
Kobudo is the collective name for the more modern (after approximately 1900) forms of classical Japanese martial art from the island of Okinawa. Contrary to popular belief, the weapons used in Kobudo are ... read more
Krav Maga (Israel)
Krav Maga is a defense art that originated in Israel. The founder of the movement is the Czech Imrich Sde-Or, simply called Imi. Imi was confronted with anti-Semitism at an early age in his native Czechoslovakia... read more
Kuk Sool Won (Korea)
Kuk Sool Won is a Korean martial art system developed by In Hyuk Suh (the Kuk Sa Nim or Grandmaster). The name Kuk Sool Won means 'National Martial Art Association' and is often abbreviated to ... read more
Kung Fu (China)
Kung-Fu and Wushu are two popular terms that have become synonymous with Chinese martial arts. However, the two Chinese terms have very different meanings. Wushu can be interpreted in many different ways... read on
K-1 (Japan)
K-1 is a martial art that combines techniques from Thai boxing, taekwondo, karate, kung-fu, kickboxing and traditional boxing. The 'K' stands for karate, kung-fu and kickboxing. The term K-1 is derived from F-1 or .... read more
Muay Thai (Thailand)
Muay Thai, better known as Thai boxing, has been practiced in Thailand for centuries. This martial art is very popular in Thailand and far beyond. Muay Thai as it is practiced today is somewhat derived from the ... read more
Ninjutsu (Japan)
Ninjutsu, or 'the art of concealment', is a Japanese martial art, developed by inhabitants of the mountain regions in the former province of Iga (modern Mie) and Kōka (in Shiga) from their knowledge of hunting and fighting techniques... read more
Nunchaku-do (China and Japan)
Nunchaku-do is a martial art with the nunchaku, two sticks connected by a rope or chain. The origin of this martial art is not exactly known. The nunchaku was probably originally an agricultural tool... read more
Pencak Silat (Indonesia)
Pencak Silat is the collective name for traditional Indonesian martial arts. Different styles have traditionally been developed per region, which often imitate local animals. In Indonesia, Pencak Silat is strongly mixed with mental, spiritual elements, with physical... read more
Sambo (Russia)
Sambo is a Russian martial art also called Sombo or Cambo. It is a modern martial art and self-defense art that has been recognized as an official sport since 1938. The word Sambo stands for... read more
Sanda (China)
Sanda is the sporting side of san shou, where strict rules apply regarding the techniques that may be used. Sanda is also called Chinese kickboxing. San shou is a form of... read more
Sumo (Japan)
Sumo or sumo wrestling is a traditional Japanese wrestling sport usually practiced by very obese men. The wrestling match takes place in a circular part of a clay soil and is accompanied by many rituals. The Japanese... read on
Systema (Russia)
Systema is a Russian martial art. It's not a sport. There are no forbidden techniques, everything is allowed and there is no competition or belt system such as karate, jiu-jitsu, judo or aikido. There are... read more
Taekkyon (Korea)
Taekkyon is an ancient form of unarmed self-defense from Korea. The name Taekkyon is first mentioned in the book Manmulbo, published around 1790 by Lee, Sung-Ji. Before that it stood... read more
Taekwondo (Korea)
Taekwondo (sometimes written as taekwon-do or tae kwon do) is a Korean martial art and the national sport of South Korea. When you look at the worldwide number of practitioners, it is clear that taekwondo's... read on
Tai Chi (China)
Tai Chi is a Chinese movement art aimed at promoting physical health and mental well-being. Tai Chi helps keep the muscles and joints loose. It also promotes good posture. If someone says that... read on
Tang Soo Do (Korea)
Tang Soo Do is a Korean martial art and literally means “the art of the Chinese hand” and has its origins in various martial arts from Korea, China and Okinawa, among others. These roots began in... read more
Viet Vo Dao (Vietnam)
Viet Vo Dao is the philosophy behind many Vietnamese martial arts. – Viet is derived from the country name Vietnam – Vo means martial art – Dao is the way, the path that someone takes, the... read more
Wing Chun (China)
Wing Chun is a Chinese martial art that specializes in close-range combat. Wing Chun was originally passed down from teacher to student orally rather than through written documentation. This makes it difficult to... read more
Wushu (China)
Wushu, also known as modern wushu, is a show form derived from Kung Fu. The sport was developed in post-1949 China in an attempt to recreate a traditional Chinese... read more
Yagli Gures (Turkey)
Yagli Gures is the Turkish national sport. It is popularly called Turkish Wrestling or oil wrestling because the wrestlers rub themselves with olive oil. The wrestlers are called pehlivan, which means 'hero' or 'champion'. She... read on
