Martial-Arts in Brief

Aikido

Defensive martial art founded by Morihei Ueshiba. Heavily influenced by Daito Ryu Aikijutsu.

Aikijutsu

Daito Ryu Aikijutsu is an old style of jujutsu. One of the forerunners of aikido.

Arnis

(Arnis de Mano) Another (and more modern) name for Kali. Modern Arnis is some places the sports variety of the art. The terms Arnis and Escrima are more widely used today than Kali.

Atemi

Atemi is the art of striking vital points on the body (nerve endings, organs, sensitive and vulnerable joints like elbows and knees etc.). Called Dim Mak in Chinese. Atemi jutsu is considered a system of strikes and painful joint holds aimed at one of the central nervous system's 365 "pressure points.

Ba Gua

(Pa Gua) Ba Gua Zhang is a Chinese art. It translates literally as "eight trigram palm". The movements of Ba Gua imitates the Taoist Ba Gua symbol of the Yi Jing/I Ching (Book of Changes).

Banati

A martial art form from Orissa in India. is an age-old art, in which a person spins balls set on fire, tied to the ends of a rope.

Balintawak

style of Arnis.

Bajiquan

A Chinese martial art. Bajiquan, or the Eight Infinite Fist-style, is considered to be a very ruthless and direct style.

Balite

A style of Arnis.

Bando

Burmese form of unarmed and armed combat. Also called Thaing.

Banshay

A term for Burmese weapons use. The primary weapons are sword, staff and spear.

Bastons

Spanish name for sticks used in Arnis (Escrima, Kali)

Belts

The belt system (kyu and dan-ranks) was invented by Jigoro Kano (founder of Judo). Before this the belts were more of a thing to hold your jacket in place. Other arts than the Japanes ones uses belts also, amongst them Silat. Here thay are called sarong, and the're used for protection and distraction.

Binh Dinh

See: Vo Binh Dinh

Black Crane

The second style of Chinese Shaolin Kung Fu.

Black Tiger

A style of Chinese Shaolin Kung Fu.

Bo

A wooden staff, around 6 foot in length. One of the weapons in Kobudo (Okinawa/Ryu Kyu Kobudo).

Bojutsu

The combative application of the Bo in Japanese ryu (styles or schools)

Bogu

The protective armour worn in Kendo

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

A grappling version of Ju Jitsu from Brazil, known for their superb skills in ground-fighting.

Capoeira

Brazilian dance-like martial art, highly acrobatic (think breakdance). It is common belief that the art originated from slaves brought over from Africa. The art mostly involves the feet.

Catch wrestling

Also called catch-as-catch-can. A form of "free-style" wrestling.

Chang Moo Kwan

Korean art strongly influenced by Shotokan Karate.

Chayon-Ryu

A Korean style of martial art. Chayon means "natural way"

Chi/Qi

Japanese: Ki. A Chinese concept used to describe inner life force or strenght. Closely linked to the understanding of the meridians used in acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine.

Chi Gung

Or Chi Kung. Chinese breathing exercises. These are used for health as well as fighting purposes (inner strength/chi).

Ch'in Na

The seizing and locking art within Chinese Kung Fu. Has resemblance to some forms of Japanese Jujutsu.

Chito-ryu

A style of karate.

Cho

A Japanese word meaning the bond or loyalty between a student and teacher and style/school.

Choi Kwang-Do

A Korean art founded by Taekwondo Grandmaster Kwang Jo Choi.

Collar and Elbow

A "free-style" form of American wrestling.

Combato

An army close-combat system. Devised by an Englishman, named Bill Underwood and used for hand-to-hand combat in World War I. Bill fought his way back through enemy lines at Ypres in 1915. Underwood taught Combato to British, Canadian and US commandos and was involved in the allies' Camp X for special forces training in Canada where he had emigrated.

Dalubhasa

A master (title) of Kali.

Dan

The ranks indicated by a black belt. In theory there are ten levels from 1. dan and up.

Defendo

A self-defense system. Defendo was devised by Bill Underwood in 1945 for use by police forces and security teams. He adapted it from Combato which he devised and used for hand-to-hand combat in World War I.

Defendu

An army close quarter combat system designed by William E. Fairbairn.

Dim Mak

Chinese "death touch". See: Atemi.

Dojang/Dojo

Dojang is Korean, Dojo Japanese. It's traditionally a training hall for martial arts. Today it is sometimes used also for a modern MA school.

Dumog

Eku

A boat oar, approximately 5 feet long. One of the weapons in Kobudo (Okinawa/Ryu Kyu Kobudo).

Escrima

Another name for Kali. The terms Arnis and Escrima are more widely used than Kali.

An Irish (Gaelic) form of  martial arts.

Goju-ryu

A style of karate.

Goshindo

A form of modern jujutsu. Several styles are called Goshindo.

Goshin-jutsu

Goshin is a Japanese term for self-defense. Goshin-jutsu means self-defense art, and is sometimes used to described modern jujutsu styles that are self-defense orientated.

Greco-Roman

The most common style of (Western) wrestling.

Gumdo

Korean equivalent to Japanese Kendo. Gumdo means "the way of the sword".

Gyongdang

Older Korean martial art. Consists of 24 military arts, Mu-Ye-Yi-Sip-Sa-Ban. Some places also called Bon Gok Gum.

Hakama

Wide trousers used in traditional Japanese martial arts and budo training.

Hakuda

Old form of Jujutsu/Yawara.

Hapkido

Korean self-defense art. The term means; method or way (Do) for the coordination harmony (Hap) of mental energy or spirit (Ki).

Hanshi

Hosinsul

Self-defense in taekwondo.

Hung Gar

A form of Chinese Kung Fu.

Hwa Rang

(Hwa Rang Do) Older Korean martial art.

Hyung

Solo forms training in Taekwondo.

Jeet Kune Do

Also termed Jun Fan. An Eclectic Martial Art, built on the teachings and studies of Bruce Lee. Self-defense oriented. Contains weapons, punches, kicks, grappling and more.

Jidokwan

(Cho Sun Yen Moo Kwan) Meaning the "way of wisdom". Korean martial art

Ju Jitsu

Jujutsu or Jiu-Jitsu. Ancient Japanes unarmed (sometimes also involving small weapons like knife, rope etc.) combat systems. They are based on older Japanes systems like Sumai, as well as Chinese arts. Yawara is an older name for Ju Jitsu. Though Ju Jitsu is also sport systems, the main objective today is self-defense. One well-known form of Ju Jitsu is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. 

Judo

Fighting art based on Ju Jitsu. Founded by Jigoro Kano. Originally much closer to the older Ju Jitsu. Today it's a huge and popular Olympic Sport.

Kali

The Filipona art using knives/daggers, sticks and empty-hand techniques. The terms Arnis and Escrima are more widely used today than Kali.

Kama

One of the weapons in Kobudo (Okinawa/Ryu Kyu Kobudo). It's a form of long-handled sickle. Often used in pairs for practise.

Kata

A set of movements - a form - practised in karate. There are many different kata in the styles of karate. Kata is also used in Judo. Kata in judo is a prearranged set of movements between two exponents. The same is true in the Japanese weapon arts, where kata is prearranged fighting.

Kempo

Or Kenpo: "law of the fist".

Kendo

Losely based on the old Japanese sword arts (Kenjutsu). In kendo one would use a shinai.

Ki-Aikido

The Aikido style of Koichi Tohei

Kickboxing

Kimono

A traditional Japanese undergarment (a shirt). Used in conjunction with hakama ins ome martial arts.

Kobudo

May be translated with "ancient martial ways". The term is used to described the weapon disciplines from Okinawa (Ryu Kyu).

Kodokan

Kogusoku

Old form of Jujutsu/Yawara.

Kokyu

A form of deep abdominal brathing essential in developing ki/chi.

Kum Do

Korean sword fencing. Closely related to Japanese Kendo and many historians believe the two arts had a common origin.

Kumiuchi

Yoroi Kumiuchi. Old form of Jujutsu/Yawara.

Kune

The Chinese name for prearranged movements in a form, like kata in Karate, or hyung/poomse in Taekwondo.

Kung Fu

In Chinese: Chuan Fa. Chinese martial art going back 2000 years. The art is divided in inner or outer styles, as well as North and South styles.

Kunmudo

Traditional Korean martial arts dance.

Kurash

Krav Maga

A self-defense system based on Israeli military hand-to-hand combat.

Kyu

The student ranks below black belt level (dan grades). The highest level before shodan (black belt) is 1. kyu. This is a brown belt in most styles, although some have a red belt before the black belt. The kyu levels start at white belt and goes up.

Kyudo

The Japanese art of archery. Highly stylised form based on zen and the older art of Kyujutsu.

Kyokushin-kai

A hard style of karate, founded by "Mas" Oyama.

Kyoshi

Luta Livre

A Brazilian form of street fighting - today practised as a sport. The art is more based on striking than grappling.

Makiwara

Mau Taiaha

Traditional Maori (New Zealand) weapon art, using sticks.

MMA

Mixed Martial Arts. Various styles combined into modern combat and competition forms (K1, UFC, Pride etc.).

Moo Duk Kwan

Mook Jong

A wooden dummy used in kung fu practise. It has removable "arms" and "legs". Used for kicking, punching, trapping and blocking exercises.

Mu Tau

A sport that blends Pankration with Asian martial arts.

Muay Thai

Also called Thai Boxing.

Mugisul

The weapon forms in Hapkido.

Nei Jia Quan

The three internal martial arts in China Ba Gua/Pa Gua, Tai Chi Chuan/Taji Quan and Xing Yi Quan.

Nunchaku

One of the weapons in Kobudo (Okinawa/Ryu Kyu Kobudo). Two short pieces of wood (12 to 18 inches), connected by rope or string.

Nunti

Weapon in Kobudo (Okinawa/Ryu Kyu Kobudo). A sai-like three-pronged weapon that was affixed to a long wooden staff.

Panantukan

Pankration

Ancient Greek martial art meaning "complete strength". Originally brutal tributes to Zeus (God of Olympus).

Pentjak Silat

Pentjak (or Penchak) Silat is a generic term for the martial arts of Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei.

Persilat

Piquazhang

Taught together with Bajiquan. Piquazhang, or the "splitting deflecting palm style", is a style which teaches primarily palm strikes.

Poomse

Another name for the forms used in Taekwondo.

Pundador

A founder of a Kali/Arnis style.

Or: Qwan Ki Dao. Vietnamese martial art. Quan: "the whole", Ki: "energy" or "life force", also known as khi ('chi' in Chinese), and Do/Dao: "the way".

RAD

Stands for the Rape Aggression Defense system. It is a program designed to provide women with practical self-defense plans, tactics and techniques for fending off or avoiding a variety of violent and sexual attacks.

radKIDS

A self-defense and awareness  program enabling children to escape dangerous situations.

RBSD

Stands for "reality based self-defense training". Uses protective gear, adrenal stress and scenario-based training to teach self-defense.

Renshi

Japanese term for technical teacher.

Rochin

Long-handled machete or knife from Okinawa. Weapon in Kobudo (Ryu Kyu Kobudo)

Ryu

A Japanese term losely translated as tradition, school, family or style. A Japanese traditional ryu is headed by a Soke ("head of family").

Sai

One of the weapons in Kobudo (Okinawa/Ryu Kyu Kobudo). Three-pronged metal truncheon, where the middle one is longer than the outer two. This one also forms a handle.

Sabom

Korean term, similar to the Japanese sensei. Can be translated with "one who has walked before", or "one who has experienced". The term is placed after the name (Kano sensei), and is used most often as a respectfull term for teacher.

Sambo

Russian art originally based on Mongolian wrestling. Has a great deal in common with Judo.

Sensei

Japanese term. Can be translated with "one who has walked before", or "one who has experienced". The term is not only used in martial arts exclusively, but in other arts as well.

Shihan

Shinai

The bamboo sword used in Kendo.

Shinkendo

Shito-ryu

A style of karate.

Shorin-ryu

A style of karate.

Shotokan

A style of karate.

Sifu

The teacher or master in a Chinese kung fu.

Sikaran

Silambam

This aged-old art of “staff fencing” (using silambam sticks) was also practised by the Chjola, Chera and Pandiya kings who ruled Tamil Nadu in ancient India. Presently the art of silambam is an art of self-defense.

Silat

See: Pentjak Silat.

Soke

Song Moo Kwan

Korean martial art. One of the foundations for Taekwondo.

Soo Bahk

(Su Bak/Subak) Old martial art from Korea. The term is sometimes used interchangeably with Taekkyon.

Submisson Wrestling

Some similarities to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, but without the uniform (gi). A form of MMA.

Sumai

The forerunner of Sumo, and one of the basis of jujutsu / yawara.

Sumo

The traditional national sport in Japan. Now slowly spreading to the West. An old wrestling art with lots of rituals.

Sunmudo

A Korean art (meaning "zen martial arts"). Based on esoteric Buddhism. The formal name is: Buddhism Gum Gang Young Gwan.

Suruchin

Another of the weapons in Kobudo (Okinawa/Ryu Kyu Kobudo). This is a 7 feet long (approximately) rope or chain, having metal objects attached at the ends.

Ssirum

An old Korean art. Similar to Japanese Sumo, but with slightly different rules.

Taekkyon

(Taek Kyon) Older Korean martial art. One of the forerunners of Taekwondo.

Taekwondo

Large Korean martial arts and Olympic sport. Some similarities to karate. More kicks and circular movements. Tae means "foot," "leg," or "to step on," and Kwon means "fist," or "fight." Do means the "way" or "discipline."

Tai Chi Chuan

Translates as "supreme ultimate fist". Chinese martial art known for its slow movements during practise. Is an art for health purposes, but also a true martial art for fighting.

Taiaha

See: Mau Taiaha.

Taijutsu

Japanese: Tai is "body", Jutsu is "art". Old Yawara/Jujutsu (as well as Ninjutsu) system. Also the name used by Hatsumi to describe his style of Ninjutsu: Budo Taijutsu.

Tang Soo Do

Older Korean martial art, also termed Dang Soo Do. It is considered a composite art consisting of Soo Bahk, Northern Chinese Kung Fu, and Southern Chinese Kung Fu.

Tekko

Metal or wooden brass knucles. Weapons in Kobudo (Okinawa /Ryu Kyu Kobudo).

Tessen

Japanese war-fan used for blocking, striking or cutting. Usually made of iron.

Thai Boxing

Another name for Muay Thai.

Thaing

See: Bando.

Tomiki Aikido

A style of Aikido.

Tonfa

A side-handled "baton" of wood, originally used for grinding. It's 18 to 24 inches long, and can be practised in pairs. One of the weapons in Kobudo (Okinawa/Ryu Kyu Kobudo).

Tinbei

Another of the weapons in Kobudo (Okinawa/Ryu Kyu Kobudo). This is a shield made of bamboo, tortoise shell or metal.

Trapfighting

American form of Shootfighting.

A Korean form of military Hapkido.

Vale Tudo

Brazilian grappling sport originating from street fighting.

Vietnamese. Viet meaning roughly "to transcedend" or "transcendence", Vo is martial arts and Dao is "the way" (same as 'tao' or 'do'). Viet Vo Dao is understood as the philosophy behind all Vietnamese martial arts.

Vo Binh Dinh

A Vietnamese martial art from the district Binh Dinh (today: Ngia Binh).

Or: Vovinam Viet Vo Dao, is a Vietnamese martial art.

Wado-ryu

A style of Karate.

A woman's self-defense organization. "Wen" means women, "li" signifies force or strength, and "do" is the way or method-has been in existence since the early 1970s.

White Crane

A style of Chinese Shaolin Kung Fu which has its origins in Tibet.

Wushu

Chinese martial art based on older Kung Fu forms. Wushu is also a sport and a very acrobatic form of entertainment.

Xing Yi Quan

A Chinese (internal) martial art.

Yawara

Older name for Jujutsu/Ju Jitsu.

Yarijutsu

Japanese spearfighting.

Yoshinkan Aikido

A hard style of Aikido.

Yudo

Korean term for Judo.