Taekwondo is one of the most popular martial arts out there. It involves a lot of kicking. But is Taekwondo offensive or defensive? Taekwondo is largely defensive in that it is not designed for attack. Most martial arts have a spiritual component that decries unnecessary use of force and the most offensive or aggressive systems, … Read more
Kung Fu, at one point, was the most popular martial art in the US. And it was the martial art initially practiced by martial art icon Bruce Lee. But is Kung Fu offensive or defensive? Kung Fu is actually a collective term for a variety of Chinese fighting styles, with some styles, such as Tai … Read more
Kendo is a Japanese form of fencing. It’s highly popular in the East and other parts of the world. But is Kendo like real sword fighting? Here’s what I found out: Kendo is not like real sword fighting and is more of a sport like fencing. Kendo is based on the ancient art of Kenjutsu, … Read more
Martial arts can be hard or soft, and not all are designed as full contact. And full contact is sometimes practiced at full power and speed. But is Taekwondo full contact? Taekwondo is one of many full-contact martial arts, such as some forms of Karate and MMA. The strikes and kicks delivered in practicing Taekwondo … Read more
Kendo and Kumdo are almost identical martial art styles, at least to the untrained eye. But how do they differ from each other? Let’s explore Kendo vs. Kumdo. Kendo is Japanese fencing whereas Kumdo is Korean fencing. They differ in that Kendo is more strategic as practitioners seek the “perfect strike.” Kumdo, on the other … Read more
Kendo looks a lot like sword fighting, or at least fencing. But between learning the footwork and how to yield the wooden stick, is Kendo easy to learn? Here’s what I found out: Kendo is not difficult to learn. It’s not as physically demanding or as complex as some other popular martial arts. But it … Read more
Contrary to popular belief, Ninjutsu, as practiced by ninjas, isn’t all about violence, street skirmishes, or sneaking across rooftops. But is Ninjutsu good for self-defense? Ninjutsu is good for self-defense. Practitioners learn a wide range of brutal physical techniques but also methods of distracting or confusing an opponent, allowing for escape, which is often the … Read more
Kendo and Judo are both highly popular Japanese martial arts. But what sets them apart? What are the similarities and the key differences between Kendo vs. Judo? Here’s what I think: Both Kendo and Judo are hard martial arts. But Judo is a complete fighting system that is ideal for self-defense and as a sport, … Read more
What does the word “Ninjutsu” bring to mind? Ninjas clothed in black, demonstrating unbelievable feats? We see that a lot in movies. But is Ninjutsu dangerous? Ninjutsu is one of the most dangerous martial arts in the world due to the fact that the training encompasses far more than just physical self-defense. However, it is … Read more
Kendo and HEMA look similar, as they both use swords (or mockups of swords). But how do they compare, and is HEMA better than Kendo? Here is what I found out: HEMA is better than Kendo, as Kendo focuses solely on the fundamentals of two-handed sword combat, whereas HEMA goes beyond that and includes kicks … Read more