What Is the Difference Between Taekwondo, Karate & Judo?

Martial arts teach unity of body and mind and, although often viewed as violent, seek to promote peace and spirituality from within. Originating from Asia, taekwondo, karate and judo share similar spiritual philosophies, but the fighting styles of each are defined by a different balance of offensive and defensive strategies.

  1. Taekwondo

    • Taekwondo is a fighting style designed to calm potentially heated situations in the hope of promoting peace. It’s a Korean martial arts discipline that teaches offensive and defensive physical fighting skills while also promoting unity of the body and mind to enhance the spirit. Taekwondo and judo are featured in the Olympic games along with the combat styles of boxing and wrestling. The name is split into three individual Korean terms; "tae," meaning foot or leg, "kwon," meaning fist or fight, and "do," meaning way or discipline.

    Karate

    • Much like taekwondo, karate is a martial art that promotes peaceful resolution to conflict, although it is largely seen as an offensive fighting discipline. Should conflict arise, karate practitioners are able to deal with an aggressive opponent in a quick manner, ideally using only a single deadly blow. Originating in Japan, karate unites physical speed and strength with control and focus, guided by the mind and spirit. Based on the samurai code of Bushido, karate is a martial art that seeks to teach the inner spiritual power of wholeness through peaceful unity of body and mind.

    Judo

    • Derived from jujitsu, judo is a largely defensive fighting discipline, focusing on the art of causing damage to an opponent and defending yourself using your own body and the body and forward motion of an attacker via a throw. As with karate and taekwondo, judo seeks to unite the material physical body with the mental or spiritual inner self. The term "judo" is Japanese in origin and means a gentle method or way, reflecting the self-defensive nature of the martial art.

    Teaching

    • Taking up a martial arts class teaches youth about mental and physical self-discipline while ensuring safe physical exercise on a weekly basis. Children who study these disciplines learn correct balance, dexterity and posture. Any form of martial arts promotes a calm and effective outlet for kids and adults alike. Starting earlier is easier, as mastering martial arts gets harder as you become older. The typical age for a child to start martial arts training is 4 or 5 years of age.

    Student Suitability

    • As karate is focused more on kicks, strikes and blocking, it’s a fighting discipline that may be more suited to a child with plenty of energy. It may also be a good outlet for kids with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or self-control issues, according to ADDitude, a website devoted to ADD parenting issues. Judo is more gentle, with an emphasis on throws and defensive maneuvers. It’s a discipline good for posture and balance, favoring technique and mental strength over physical brute force. Taekwondo requires flexibility, so is suitable for students who are searching for a meditative martial art that incorporates flexibility training.