List and information about all the fighting styles that originated in Japan (including islands that are now part of Japan, such as Okinawa), with images, glossary, and information about teachers and schools where you can learn any Japanese martial art.
IAIDO
Japanese martial art with traditional weapons: the art of drawing and cutting with a samurai sword (katana)
Click here for all information about the art of swordsmanship: IAIDO
AIKIDO
Japanese martial art (“Gendai Budo”) – which focuses on joint-locks and throws
and also provides self-defense training against weapons (sword, stick, knife)
Click here for all information about: Aikido
Japanese JU-JUTSU/ Japanese Jiu-Jitsu
A collective name for hundreds of traditional fighting methods of the Japanese samurai
Click here for all information about: Traditional Japanese Jujitsu
JUDO
Modern martial art and Olympic sport
Click here for all information about: Judo – the most successful martial art in the 20’s century
JODO
Method Japanese martial art dedicated entirely to fighting and defending with a stick against a sword
Click here for all the information on the art of fighting with a stick: JODO
NINJUTSU
A traditional Japanese martial art that includes various methods (many weapons, self-defense and empty-handed combat)
Click here for all the information on: Ninjutsu
KENDO
Japanese swordsmanship – Japanese sport
Click here for all the information on: Kendo
KARATE
Empty-handed combat, originally a fighting system originating in Okinawa
Karate today has many methods and approaches, including: Shotokan, Goju Ryu, Kyokushin, Wichi Ryu, Shitori Ryu and more
Click here for all the information on: Karate
KOBUDO
A martial art with weapons originating in Okinawa:
Nunchaku (two sticks with a chain), Bo (a stick long), Sai and more
Click here for all the information on fighting with a variety of weapons from the island of Okinawa (today Japan): Kobodo
SUMO
Traditional Japanese wrestling
Click here for all the information on: Sumo
Japanese martial arts glossary Karate, Judo, Aikido, Ninjitsu and more
Important terms for practitioners of Japanese martial arts: numbers in Japanese, how to address a “teacher” in Karate/Judo and Japanese fighting methods, how to say thank you in Japanese and more…
Information on clothing in Japanese martial arts
In most Japanese martial arts, as Japanese etiquette takes a place of honor, it is customary to adhere to traditional clothing in training, as in Japan.
In Karate training, it is customary to wear white pants and a white jacket. The name of the jacket is “Gi”.
The thickness of the garment is usually thin and light. The jacket is fastened with a white/colored belt depending on the level of the students.
In Judo training, it is customary to wear white pants and a white jacket (Judo Gi). The jacket is thick for durability in training and grips. The jacket is fastened with a white/colored belt depending on the student’s level.
Blue suits have become common for competitions in order to easily distinguish between participants and are now available to everyone.
In Aikido, it is customary to wear a white judo suit, with those with a black belt and above adding a black hakama to their pants. Women who practice Aikido from the very first training sessions can wear a hakama even without a black belt.
In Japanese fencing – Kendo, a Hakama and Gi are worn, usually dark blue (the upper part of the garment is sometimes lighter). On top of the clothing, a second layer of protection is worn – Kendo Bogu, which consists of four parts: hand guards (kote), chest guard (dō), leg guards (tare), and helmet (men).
In Japanese Jiu-Jitsu training, it is customary to wear white pants and a white jacket (Gi). The thickness of the garment is usually thin and light. The jacket is fastened with a white/colored belt depending on the student’s level.
In Ninjitsu training, it is customary to wear black pants and a black or dark gray jacket (Gi).
In the Japanese sword art – Iaido, it is customary to dress in a traditional Japanese style which includes a hakama skirt and a black Gi, while at higher levels the color of the jacket (Gi) changes according to the student’s personal choice and specific dojo.