Iaidō, approximately translates as “the way of mental presence and immediate reaction”, is a Japanese martial art associated with the smooth, controlled movements of drawing the sword from its scabbard, striking or cutting an opponent, removing blood from the blade, and then replacing the sword in the scabbard. While new students of iaidō may... more »
Isshin-Ryu is a style of Okinawan karate founded by Tatsuo Shimabuku and named by him on 15 January 1956. Isshin-Ryū karate is largely a synthesis of Shorin-ryū karate, Gojū-ryū karate, and kobudō. The name means, literally, “one heart method”. As of 1989 there are 336 branches of Isshin-ryū throughout the world, most of which... more »
Jeet Kune Do (also “Jeet Kun Do”, “JKD,” or “Jeet Kuen Do”) is a hybrid martial arts system and life philosophy founded by martial artist Bruce Lee in 1967 with direct, non classical and straightforward movements. The system works on the use of different ‘tools’ for different situations. These situations are broken down into... more »
Jikishin Ryu is an old style of japanese Jujutsu (Koryu). It was founded by Terada Kanemon Masashige in the mid 1600’s. Masashige was born in 1616, and he studied Tenjin Shinyo Ryu with his father and grandfather who were masters. There were already ground techniques in this art. Later he studied Kito Ryu, which focuses on... more »
Jodo. “The Way of the Stick” is a Japanese Martial Art. The jo is a short wooden staff, 127cm in length, used in Jodo against an attacking swordsman armed with a wooden sword (bokuto). Jodo is a kata based art which pairs two practitionrs togather, partly in partnership and partly in combat. The use... more »
Kajukenbo is an American hybrid martial art. The name Kajukenbo is a portmanteau of the various arts from which its style is derived: KA for Karate and Tang Soo Do Korean Karate, JU for Judo and Jujutsu, KEN for Kenpo and BO for Western and Chinese Boxing. It was developed in the late 1940s... more »
Kajukenbo is a hybrid martial art that combines Western Boxing, Judo, Jujutsu, Kenpo Karate, Eskrima, Tang Soo Do, and Kung Fu. It was founded in 1947 in Oahu, Hawaii, at the Palama Settlement. The original purpose of the art was to deal with local crime and to help the people defend themselves from U.S.... more »
Kalaripayat is a martial art from the Indian state of Kerala. One of the oldest fighting systems in existence, it is practiced in Kerala and contiguous parts of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka as well as northeastern Sri Lanka and among the Malayali community of Malaysia. It was practiced primarily by the Nairs, the martial... more »
Jigoro Kano founded the art of Kano jujutsu (early Judo). The style incorporates the best techniques form a variety of jujutsu schools of the time with the philosophy of mutual welfare and personal development. Modern Judo has evolved into a grappling sport. Kano jujutsu had maintained the original teachings while also incorporating influences form... more »
Tenshin Shōden Katori Shintō-ryū is one of the oldest extant Japanese martial arts, and an exemplar of koryū bujutsu. The Tenshin Shōden Katori Shintō-ryū was founded by Iizasa Ienao, born 1387 in Iizasa village (present day Takomachi, Chiba Prefecture), who was living near Katori Shrine (Sawara City, Chiba Prefecture) at the time. The ryū... more »
Kendo, meaning “Way of The Sword”, is a modern Japanese martial art of sword-fighting based on traditional samurai swordsmanship, or kenjutsu. Kendo is a physically and mentally challenging activity that combines strong martial arts values with sport-like physical elements. Practitioners of Kendo are called Kendōka, meaning “someone who practices Kendo”, or occasionally kenshi, meaning... more »
Kenjutsu, meaning “the method, or technique, of the sword.” This is opposed to kendo, which means the way of the sword. Kenjutsu is the umbrella term for all traditional (koryū) schools of Japanese swordsmanship, in particular those that predate the Meiji Restoration. It sometimes more generally describes any martial art that uses the Japanese... more »
Keysi Fighting Method (KFM) is a self defense system whose training is based on the study and cultivation of natural instincts, combined with basic combat principles. It was developed by Justo Diéguez Serrano from his fighting experiences while raised on the streets of Spain. The system was co-founded with the help of Andy Norman.... more »
Ki-Aikido (Shinshin Touitsu Aikidō) is the style of aikido, a modern Japanese martial art developed by Koichi Tohei. Ki-Aikido is not practiced as a competitive sport. The English translation of Ki-Aikido literally means “the way of harmony with universal energy”. Emphasizing harmony and grace of movement, Ki-Aikido is considered a non-aggressive art. Rather than responding... more »
Kinomichi is a martial art derivative of Aikido. It was founded in France by Noro Masamichi in 1979. The emphasis is on natural order and how man is a link between heaven and earth. Movements Noro relates to the Sky are projections; movements related to the earth are immobilizations. Its ultimate goal is the... more »
Kitō-ryū is a traditional school (koryū) of the Japanese martial art of jujutsu. Its syllabus comprises atemi-waza (striking techniques), nage-waza (throwing techniques), kansetsu-waza (joint locking techniques) and shime-waza (choking techniques). Many of these techniques are performed while in full armor. Kitō Ryū is translated as “the school of the rise and fall.” It is... more »
Kobudo is the study of the ancient Okinawan weapons, in particular the wooden implements. The word Kobudo means “ancient martial arts”, and many believe that weapons were always of primary study, with empty hand self defence secondary. For this reason weapons training is referred to as Kobudo. Strictly translated, the Japanese word Kobudo covers all ancient martial traditions,... more »