Oriental Grappling Arts
- By Forrest Blair
- Published 01/7/2008
- Teaching
- Unrated
Forrest Blair
Master Forrest G. Blair, 8th Dan, Tae Kwon Do Moo Duk Kwan USA has over 44 years of experience in the martial arts. With a background in numerous styles of martial arts as well as professional boxing and wresting instruction, Master Blair is devoted to quality instruction. Visit him on the web at http://www.ultimatemdk.com or on his own blog at http://www.fgblair.com!
View all articles by Forrest Blair
In the realm of martial arts there is a category of in-close combat known as grappling (wrestling) arts. The first records of early civilizations indicate that grappling (wrestling) was the first instinctual method of self-defense used by mankind. Pictures depicting grappling appear in paintings by ancient Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, Indians, Chinese, and Japanese cultures. Jacob, of ancient Israel, is reported to have wrestled an angel and to have received a permanent injury to his hip as a result of the encounter.
The following is a brief overview of some of the oriental grappling arts:
Ju-jitsu: Ju-jitsu is a Japanese art which emphasizes locks, throws, take downs, pins, chokes, and strangulations. Ju-jitsu is a war art meant for combat. Ju-jitsu lost popularity after World War II when the practice was banned by the American occupation forces.
Ju-Do: A martial art (sport) developed by Dr. Jigaro Kano, Ju-do was based upon Ju-jitsu. Judo has throws, take-downs, pins, chokes, and strangulations. As a competitive sport its practice in Japan was not banned by the American occupational forces.
Aikido: Aikido is a Japanese martial art developed by Morihei Uyesheshiba and is also based on Ju-jitsu. Unlike Ju-jitsu locks and throws (which were meant to maim or dislocate), Aikido techniques emphasize control of
an opponent. This highly effective hybrid also
gained its popularity in the post World War II period.
Chin-na: A hard-hitting forerunner of Ju-jitsu, Chin-na originates in China. It's features are destroying dislocations of body joints, pressure points, and muscle tearing techniques. It is believed that Japanese Ju-jitsu was derived from this Chinese art.
Kyuk-Sool-Wan: Kyk-sool-wan is a Korean martial art resembling both Chin-na and Ju-jitsu. The Koreans, however, added the unique kicks of Hwarang and Hap-ki-do.
Hap-Ki-Do: Hap-ki-do is a Korean martial art strongly influenced by the circular principles of Japanese Aikido. The principles of throwing are interfaced with kicking, punching, and striking.
Tui-Te: Tui-te is an Okinawan joint locking adaptation of Chin-na and Ju-jitsu.
I hope this short definition reference will illustrate the following:
1. There are limitations to throwing and locking the human body in combat situations.
2. As these cultures interacted throughout the years (through war or peace) the principles of throwing and locking techniques were exchanged, lost, and reinvented.
We in the United States had these arts brought here by immigrants and our returning service men. Some versions have been watered down while some secrets were kept and lost over the years. "There is a time and season for everything...and there is nothing new under the sun!"
Humility be thy goal,
Master F. G. Blair
The following is a brief overview of some of the oriental grappling arts:
Ju-jitsu: Ju-jitsu is a Japanese art which emphasizes locks, throws, take downs, pins, chokes, and strangulations. Ju-jitsu is a war art meant for combat. Ju-jitsu lost popularity after World War II when the practice was banned by the American occupation forces.
Ju-Do: A martial art (sport) developed by Dr. Jigaro Kano, Ju-do was based upon Ju-jitsu. Judo has throws, take-downs, pins, chokes, and strangulations. As a competitive sport its practice in Japan was not banned by the American occupational forces.
Aikido: Aikido is a Japanese martial art developed by Morihei Uyesheshiba and is also based on Ju-jitsu. Unlike Ju-jitsu locks and throws (which were meant to maim or dislocate), Aikido techniques emphasize control of
gained its popularity in the post World War II period.
Chin-na: A hard-hitting forerunner of Ju-jitsu, Chin-na originates in China. It's features are destroying dislocations of body joints, pressure points, and muscle tearing techniques. It is believed that Japanese Ju-jitsu was derived from this Chinese art.
Kyuk-Sool-Wan: Kyk-sool-wan is a Korean martial art resembling both Chin-na and Ju-jitsu. The Koreans, however, added the unique kicks of Hwarang and Hap-ki-do.
Hap-Ki-Do: Hap-ki-do is a Korean martial art strongly influenced by the circular principles of Japanese Aikido. The principles of throwing are interfaced with kicking, punching, and striking.
Tui-Te: Tui-te is an Okinawan joint locking adaptation of Chin-na and Ju-jitsu.
I hope this short definition reference will illustrate the following:
1. There are limitations to throwing and locking the human body in combat situations.
2. As these cultures interacted throughout the years (through war or peace) the principles of throwing and locking techniques were exchanged, lost, and reinvented.
We in the United States had these arts brought here by immigrants and our returning service men. Some versions have been watered down while some secrets were kept and lost over the years. "There is a time and season for everything...and there is nothing new under the sun!"
Humility be thy goal,
Master F. G. Blair