| Watching martial artists perform stunts is such a | | | | Hollywood artist who practices this. |
| wonderful experience, but only few people know | | | | Korean |
| about the origins about the different martial arts | | | | This is not new to Koreans anymore. It has been |
| we have today. Japan, China and Korea are the | | | | practiced in Korea for more than 2,000 years |
| three major countries that practices martial arts. | | | | already. |
| We have listed some of their major martial arts | | | | Taekwondo - It is the most well-known |
| and its history. | | | | martial art of Korea and it also happens to be the |
| Japanese | | | | national sport of South Korea. Taekwondo |
| The Japanese martial art is believed to have origin | | | | focuses more on kicking than any other methods |
| because of the caste system of Japan which | | | | of fighting. This is based on the principle that a |
| prohibited the use of weapons by people who are | | | | person's leg is the longest and the strongest |
| not a member of the warrior class. Martial arts | | | | weapon a martial artist has, thus making his kick |
| that originated from Japan are diverse, and are | | | | the best physical weapon available. |
| way too different from those of other countries. | | | | Chinese |
| The following originated in Japan: | | | | This has been practiced for a very long time. It |
| Judo - The art of judo was developed by | | | | has been practiced for more than 2 millenniums. It |
| Prof. Jigoro Kano in the 19th century. Judo is not | | | | involves hand to hand combat and also the use of |
| more of killing and winning fights, it also trains the | | | | different kinds of weapons. |
| person's body and spirit. | | | | Wushu - It was developed more than 2,500 years |
| Karate - It is closely related to Chinese | | | | ago in China. The style is not only intended for |
| Kung-fu and Korean Taekwondo. The word | | | | fighting and defending, it is also a means of |
| Karate-do means the way of empty hand | | | | promoting a person's healthy exercise habit. |
| because practitioners of karate do not usually use | | | | Modern wushu is divided into multiple disciplines, |
| weapons. Karate has two traditional | | | | these includes kung fu and taijiquan. |
| performances, namely kata and kumite. | | | | Today, newer types of martial arts have been |
| Aikido - It teaches a person to overpower his | | | | evolving and these are a mix of old and new |
| enemy by using the least energy he can without | | | | techniques. One thing that is common among |
| inuring to the two of them. Aikido was developed | | | | them all is their unique way of teaching discipline |
| by Ueshiba Morihei. Steven Seagal is a famous | | | | and, of course, the art and skills of self-defense. |