| Martial arts refers to various self-defense | | | | other hand, judo, a popular wrestling form, |
| techniques, usually unarmed combat, based on | | | | attempts to turn an attacker's force to one's |
| skills developed in ancient China, India, | | | | own advantage by using throwing and grappling |
| Korea and Tibet. Some of the popular martial | | | | techniques. Some martial art forms also use |
| art forms include karate, kung fu, judo, tai | | | | weapons like in fencing, banshay, Iaido, etc. |
| chi chuan, sumo wrestling, aikido and tae | | | | |
| kwon do, among others. However, in the | | | | In Asia the teaching of martial arts still |
| contemporary world, martial arts are not only | | | | follows the Confucian cultural tradition of |
| used for self-protection but often focus on | | | | teacher-disciple apprenticeship, wherein a |
| spiritual aspects, as well as increasing | | | | student is trained in a strictly hierarchical |
| self-confidence, assertiveness and | | | | system by a master instructor. However, |
| concentration. | | | | martial art forms in Europe are more in-tune |
| | | | with contemporary technology and are used as |
| Martial arts are generally characterized | | | | an extension to modern-day warfare. In the |
| according to the fighting styles i.e. | | | | US, Native Americans had their own martial |
| striking, kicking, grappling and throwing, | | | | art forms which became obsolete with the |
| and weaponry. Kung fu and karate, a popular | | | | passing of time. However, European colonists |
| martial arts form, use striking techniques | | | | and Asian immigrants brought their own |
| that include kicks, throws, dodges, holds, | | | | martial arts such as boxing, fencing and |
| leaps and somersaults. However, tae kwon do, | | | | wrestling, which gained considerable |
| which originated in Korea, employs kicking, | | | | popularity. |
| punching, and various evasive techniques. | | | | |
| Meanwhile, grappling and throwing techniques | | | | Traditionally, martial arts were used as a |
| are used mostly in sumo wrestling, aikido and | | | | self-defense system. However, in the |
| judo. In sumo wrestling, huge men attempt to | | | | contemporary world, the fighting form is not |
| force each other out of the ring or bring | | | | only modified into various sports forms, but |
| each other to the mat by employing various | | | | some of them are also used in dance-like |
| grappling skills. Aikido is considered to be | | | | settings as a popular style of |
| the gentlest martial art, and is not | | | | self-expression. |
| practiced as a competitive sport. On the | | | | |