Ancient Martial Arts Styles

With the rise in popularity of modern martial arts competitions such as Mixed Martial Arts and the Ultimate Fighting Championship, it is easy to forget that many martial arts have a rich history and are deeply rooted in religious philosophy. Many of these ancient martial arts emphasize humility and honor, and only justify the use of force for self defense. If you are interested in studying martial arts, it is important to first understand some of its oldest and most well-respected forms.

  1. Shaolin Kung Fu

    • The Buddhist monks of the Shaolin Temple in Henan Province, China, were involved in armed conflict as early as the Sui Dynasty (610 AD), according to professor Meir Shahar of Tel Aviv University. Although the Shaolin monks were traditionally peaceful Buddhists, a continual onslaught of foreign attackers and armed criminals forced the monks to take arms and protect their temple and surrounding lands. Despite involvement in armed conflicts, Shaolin monks did not begin systemizing their martial arts skills until much later, likely during the Yuan Dynasty (1271 AD -1368 AD). Shaolin kung fu emphasizes external power and its movements are often quick and blunt. Well known for its staff methods, Shaolin kung fu also includes many other weapons forms such as the “dao” and “jian.” The dao is a traditional broadsword, which has a broad tip that gradually narrows near the handle. The jian is a double-edged sword. Chan Buddhism, often referred to by its Japanese name, Zen Buddhism, is at the heart of Shaolin kung fu and Shaolin monks emphasize Chan Buddhism in their daily martial arts studies.

    Wudang Kung Fu

    • According to legend, a Taoist priest named Zhang Sanfeng went to Wudang Mountain in Hubei Province, China, to focus on his Taoist studies sometime during the late Yuan Dynasty. While he was there, he observed the fluid, adaptable movements of a snake as it avoided an attacking bird. Combining his observations of the bird and snake and his mastery of Shaolin kung fu, he created the internal martial arts. Wudang kung fu is the result of his studies. The defensive techniques of Wudang kung fu are rooted in Taoist philosophy and focus on internal power. Its movements are fluid and changeable, similar to water or the snake observed by Zhang Sanfeng. Wudang kung fu includes empty hand forms and weapons forms. Meditation and Taoist philosophy are usually a part of traditional Wudang martial arts training, as is qigong—the practice of gathering “qi” or “energy.”

    Karate

    • Karate, like Shaolin kung fu, is rooted in Zen Buddhism. It is a combination of Shaolin kung fu and Okinawa-te, which was the local martial art of peasants in Okinawa Japan. Karate evolved after trade relationships opened with China in the 1300s, and Chinese martial artists began settling in Okinawa. Because Okinawans could not have weapons, karate focuses on empty hand forms. Karate forms, or kata, are linear and blunt, with a focus on kicks, locks and punches. Some modern karate includes weapons use, such as the katana, bo staff or nunchaku. The katana is a single-edge sword typically used with both hands. The bo staff is a long, smooth staff tapered on both ends. Nunchaku, or “nunchucks” is a weapon that utilizes two equal pieces of wood held together by a small chain. Because of its Buddhist roots, karate training incorporates Buddhist philosophy and emphasizes humility, honor, discipline and the purging of evil thoughts. Karate masters, or sensei, teach their students that karate is only to be used in self-defense, and that it is better to be outwardly gentle.