Japanese Martial Arts Styles
What are some Japanese Styles?
Japanese training styles
Here’s a short list of some of the Japanese martial arts styles. These training styles from Japan are by no means a complete list. Many of these major Japanese styles also have off-shoots and style variations. This list of Japanese martial art styles is only meant as an overview to help get you started in your search for the best martial art style for your own training.
Aikido
Aikido is a Japanese martial art involving throws and joint locks. Aikido doesn’t emphasize punching or kicking opponents, but rather on using their own energy to gain control of them or to throw them. The word Aikido consists of three characters which can be translated as “the way of unity with the fundamental force of the universe.”
Iado
Iaido is the art of reacting to a surprise attack by counter attacking with a sword. Mainly performed solo, the Iaido practitioner executes various techniques against single or multiple imaginary opponents. The word characters for Iaido represent “the way of harmonizing ones-self in action.”
Karate
Karate involves a variety of techniques, including blocks, strikes, evasions, throws, and joint manipulations. Karate practitioners perform basics, forms or katas, and kumite (sparring). The word karate is a combination of two Japanese characters: kara, meaning empty, and te, meaning hand; representing “the way of the empty hand.”
Judo
Judo is a refinement of the ancient martial art of Jujutsu. Modern Judo has been an Olympic sport since 1964. Judo’s main emphasis is gaining control over your opponent to throw or take them off balance.
Kendo
Kendo, is the art of Japanese fencing. Kendo practitioners utilize wooden swords (bokken) and bamboo swords (shenai) in their training. Kendo stylists use armor during their sparring sessions with the shenai. Kendo is from the character “ken” or sword, and roughly translates as “the way of the sword.”
Ninjutsu
Ninjutsu is the ancient Japanese Art of the Ninja. The name Ninjutsu can be roughly translated to art of stealth. Ninjutsu practitioners used a combination of all of the Japanese styles and trickery to gain advantage over their opponents and complete their missions. In addition to exotic weaponry, Ninjutsu practitioners learn disguise, camouflage, and stealth tactics.
Sumo
Sumo a ritualized ceremonial sport. Grapples, pushes, and slaps are studied in this battle of brute force and weight.
