Black Belt Test Essay: Comparing and Contrasting Wushu, Karate, Taekwondo, and Jiu Jitsu
By Owen Flemate
In this paper, I will be comparing and contrasting Wushu to three major martial art styles: Karate, Taekwondo, and Jiu Jitsu. But first, I’m going to say a little bit about Wushu. The term “Wushu” means “martial arts” in Chinese. It was developed in China and it began in the 1940s. Wushu is a popular combat sport, as well as a soft but strong and complete martial art. Wushu focuses on quick strikes, grabbing and throwing, efficient and relaxed movements, and sudden strength. Wushu uses many weapons but the four basic ones are the staff, the spear, the straight sword, and the broadsword (Wushu (sport) – Wikipedia).
Wushu and Karate are very similar, yet they are very different. The term “Karate” means “empty hand” in Japanese and it originated in Okinawa. Karate began in the 1700s. The main idea of traditional Karate training is fighting and self defense. Karate focuses on seeking development of counterattacking and defensive body movements (Karate – Wikipedia). Karate uses many weapons like the bo, kama, nunchaku, sai, and the tonfa (Traditional Okinawan Weapons). Wushu is similar to Karate because they both started in Asia. They both use weapons and they also use sudden strong strikes. The weapons that they use are very similar and they both use nunchucks. Also both of them are a popular combat sport. Wushu is different from Karate because they both began in different centuries. Also, Wushu is supposed to be a kind of relaxing sport with slow and steady movements, but Karate is a rough and full body sport that includes elbow strikes, throws, full force punches and open-handed strikes.
Wushu and Taekwondo are very similar and different. The term “Taekwondo” is split up into different Korean meanings: “tae” meaning “kick”, “kwon” meaning “fist or punch”, and “do” meaning “the art or way of”. Taekwondo originated in Korea in the 1900s and it focuses on self defense and putting the use of hands and feet as weapons. But taekwondo is not only a physical skill, it is also a discipline to enhance our spirit and life by improving our body and mind. Taekwondo doesn’t usually use weapons, but when they do, a few weapons they might use are the eskrima sticks, sai, nunchaku, bo, kama, and sword (Taekwondo – Wikipedia). Wushu is similar to Taekwondo because they both started in the same century and they both started in Asia. They also both use nunchucks, kamas, and swords but taekwondo only uses them on occasion. However, Wushu and Taekwondo are different because Wushu is a Chinese martial art while Taekwondo is a Korean martial art. Wushu is more fluid in its movements but Taekwondo tends to be more rigid in its structure. Wushu also uses hands and arms more than taekwondo.
Wushu and Jiu Jitsu are very similar and different. The term “Jiu Jitsu” means “gentle art” in Japanese. “Jiu” means “gentle” and “jitsu” means “art”. Jiu Jitsu was invented in the 1530s. It originated in Japan but is most popular in Brazil. Jiu Jitsu focuses on grappling, chokeholds, and headlocks, kind of like wrestling. Once a fighter is in an inescapable position, they can tap their opponent to let them know that they give up. If they don’t, the other fighter can keep hurting them until they can get severely hurt (Brazilian jiu-jitsu – Wikipedia). Wushu is similar to Jiu Jitsu because they both started in Asia and they are both popular sports. But other than that, there really aren’t many things similar about them. They are different however because they began in different centuries and Jiu Jitsu doesn’t use weapons but Wushu does. Also, unlike Jiu Jitsu, Wushu focuses more on attacking from a distance and using quick movements while Jiu Jitsu makes more body contact with an opponent.
In summary, Wushu shares similarities with other martial arts forms but also is very different. I have been studying Wushu since I was 4 years old and I have very much enjoyed my experience learning this style. Not only has it been fun learning all of the different kung fu forms and weapons, but Wushu has made me more flexible, agile, and stronger in the other activities I like to participate in, such as soccer and basketball.
