Karate Vs. Wushu

Comparing two styles of martial arts can be difficult. Many styles share similar techniques and often share a common ancestry. This is true of karate and wushu.

  1. Wushu Defined

    • The word wushu is a combination of two Chinese words, "wu" meaning martial and "shu" meaning art. The term wushu can be applied to any Chinese martial art such as tai chi or kung fu.

    Karate Defined

    • Karate is formed from two Japanese words, "kara" meaning empty and "te" meaning hand. The term karate is used to identify many types of unarmed Japanese combat.

    Origins

    • The origins of wushu are difficult to pinpoint. Chinese martial arts can be traced back thousands of years. Karate might have developed as an offshoot of wushu when Japanese travelers learned wushu in China, then returned to Japan and adapted their teachings.

    Modern Development

    • In 1949, China's state government developed the first competitive wushu tournaments in an attempt to nationalize the country's martial arts. In 1916, Gichin Funakoshi introduced karate to mainland Japan. Karate was used to promote physical fitness and discipline in the school systems.

    Weapon Use

    • The practice of wushu is heavily influenced by the use of weapons. Swords, staves and knives can be included in a typical wushu performance, whereas karate remains focused only on using the hands. Other forms of Japanese martial arts focus on the use of weapons.