Combat 2nd edition
Styles - Japan
Aikido
Aikido is a soft and external style with origins that date back almost 1,000 years. It is considered the "gentlest" of styles, although its techniques can be downright lethal. Practitioners are taught to turn opponent's own strength and energy against them. Throws are emphasized, along with some limited grappling and strikes.
Bugei
Bugei refers to all training methods that samurai once learned, typically from childhood (most were born into their noble professions). There are few active schools of bugei today, save those devoted to individual weapons (such as kendo -- fencing, or kyudo -- archery). It included weaponless combat, such as aikido and jujutsu. However, it also included methods like hojutsu (the use of the rifle) and kiaijutsu (the art of using one's war cry to frighten or harm opponents). Today bugei is referred to as budo.
Jujutsu
Jujutsu is a style that developed for the samurai when they fought without weapons. Grappling was emphasized due to the fact that a samurai could often be wearing heavy armor, which would limit flexibility and striking capabilities. Jujutsu's sport variation, judo, is extremely popular world-wide. Jujutsu itself was re-popularized in the West thanks in part to the Gracie family (see below under Western styles).
Karate
Karate ("empty hand") originated in Okinawa, where it is thought Chinese and Okinawan sailors traded martial arts secrets for years prior its development. Karate was introduced to Japan, which standardized and popularized it world-wide. Okinawan styles include shorinryu and isshinryu, while Japanese systems of karate include shotokan and shitoryu. Shoreiryu is a style that employs the five basic Chinese animal styles. Kenpo (not to be confused with Chinese kempo) is a karate style developed in America. Kenpo discards Japanese traditions and teaches the art in a Western fashion. Traditional Okinawan weapons practice is called kobudo.
Ninjitsu
Ninjitsu is a shadowy method of bugei. It shares most of the same methods of training. Ninja learned how to fight in the same way samurai did, but often replaced some forms of combat with more "dishonorable" techniques. The weaponless form of ninjitsu is referred to as taijitsu. It shares much in common with jujutsu, saved that it emphasizes the most lethal techniques available. Genuine ninja schools are far more rare than most Americans think. The very secretive nature of ninjitsu precludes open tutelage, even (especially?) to the most ardent fans of Hollywood's bad 1970s and 80s films!
Styles - Korea
Hapkido
Hapkido derives from the older style of yu-sol. It is mainly a defensive style that emphasizes reaction and counter-attacks much like aikido, but it includes offensive methods, too.
Hwarang-Do
Originally limited to the aristocrats of Korean society, this style fell in and out of practice depending on Korea's sovereign status. It was revived in modern years. Hwarang-do includes a number of weapons (namely the sword, spear, and bow) and training systems like bugei. Its weaponless forms emphasize kick techniques.
Kuk Sool Won
Kuk sool won is based on the ancient style of sado mu sool, believed to have been practiced as far back as the Stone Age. It has since evolved, but remains highly competitive in training.
Tae Kwon Do
Developed from subak, tae kwon do is known for its flashy kicks. While most schools teach more appropriate techniques for self-defense, tae kwon do is a major sport competition style. One of the most famous schools of tae kwon do is jhoon rhee.
Tang Soo Do
This is a recently created style that combines internal forms of wushu with external methods of karate.
