There are many different martial arts; each with a different focus or style. Here I will go over the traditional and modern view’s of these arts and how their strengths and weaknesses translate in a real-life scenario. Because let’s face it, we all want to know how to protect ourselves, but we must be prepared for anything. Diversity is key among martial arts and learning the most diverse martial art/s may be the most powerful self-defense weapon money can’t buy.
1.) Kendo (Kenjutsu), is the martial art teaching the way of the sword. Now, in real life you are probably not going to be carrying a sword with you everywhere you go, thanks to urban society norms and laws. But, on the other hand, you may like to learn this art as a way to know how to master the use of in hand weapons in general. I mean, even if you can’t carry a sword, if you don’t know how to use a sword, you probably can’t efficiently use a similar weapon; like a jujitsu staff or even a large tree branch. Kendo will indeed teach you to become very efficient in the art of the bladed weapon, however, it lacks some of the defensive teaching (guarding, meditation etc) shown in other martial arts. You can easily learn Kendo and another martial art or two though, it doesn’t take a whole lot of knowledge, just dedication and patience. While some of the move’s can become complex within this art, usually they are not as expansive or diverse as let’s say Tai Chi or even Kung Fu. That all being said, Kendo is a great art and the traditional values of honor and respect are very important elements as well. Many have forgotten about the value of honor and respect.
2.) Tae-Kwon-Do, is a martial art from Korea, speaking the way of fast and reflexive spinning kicks, as well as ethical self-defense practice. They emphasize patience, reflex and dedication, like most martial arts. Tae-Kwon-Do offensive tactics are derived of mainly kicks, although counter arm strikes are also taught in many regions. Defensive stances and guarding is well taught, and well explained. I would say Tae-Kwon-Do is a very diverse martial art, but certainly not the most diverse art. Tae-Kwon-Do can be used with success in self-defense against some street thugs or even moderate fighters, however because it does not teach certain aspects of positive aggression, or channeling aggressive energy, or the balance of aggression and patience, it may be less useful when fighting someone trained in let’s say, S.C.A.R.S or Mixed Martial Arts. The irony is, anybody trained in multiple martial arts will almost certainly be more effective against one with a background of only one martial art. Tae-Kwon-Do does teach decent grapple techniques, and efficiency in a fight, but again, you might wanna add a second choice to Tae-Kwon-Do because it is not the most diverse.
3.) Boxing/Kickboxing – I have put these two into one section since they both are almost identical in their style. One uses the hands and the other the feet, obviously is the only major difference. However, both practice powerful single and multiple strikes, coupled with a close eye on the target and his movement’s. Boxing is usually designed for someone of heavier weight class (190+), although there have been some pretty successful 170 lbs boxers as well. Kickboxing can be achieved by a leaner type as well. Boxing and kickboxing can be very useful upfront against an opponent, and is a great self-defense weapon, but also very narrow and non diverse. For one, the defensive techniques taught by both of these arts, speak not of the circumstances where one is cornered by multiple enemies. The tactics don’t teach the environmental manipulation needed in true real life self defense, and it also doesn’t teach much in the way of patience. Despite the fast-paced nature of boxing and kickboxing, counter-strikes in these arts are not exactly designed to counter sweep kicks, knee strikes or nerve directed attacks. You also aren’t going to go up and put on your boxing gloves against a bear in the forest, or a 5-star ninjitsu master who is going to find some loophole in your move’s and quickly put you to sleep with a long-range attack. Let’s face it, upfront boxing is very effective, but even then, very narrow, and in a real-life sceario, it’s great for when a semi-big dude is going to jump you. But what about three fast thugs who are each armed with a knife and also in theory one could be half as fast as the flash ? Neither boxing or kickboxing teach, how to grab a weapon from an assailant, much less how to use weapons against them effectively.
4.) Karate – Karate is like the root of basic martial arts. It doesn’t teach many complexities at all, but it does teach the essentials and may be a great place to start for some. Before moving into more complex and diverse martial arts, karate may help you become accustomed to some of the general practice’s and elements martial artists use. Now, in real-life scenario’s, Karate may help in some situations. You would have to catch your attacker off-guard for one, but karate does teach a great deal of patience and moderate meditation. Karate can help you interpret your attacker’s next move, by teaching insight. Tae-Kwon-Do also does a good job at this, but again, Karate is a nice transitional movement to the next martial arts. Karate also is good at teaching willpower, and not giving up once you have started. Consistency is very important, as you will become more effective and confident that your skills are second-nature enough to support you in a real life fight or dangerous situation. Karate also teaches basic grapple techniques, and also the blows that will allow you to escape from a dangerous situation. Karate may enable you to take away your enemies weapon from them, in a quick manner.
5.) Ninjitsu – Ninjitsu is a nearly ancient martial art. Not many people practice this art, and have simultaneously mastered it as well. Ninjitsu is diverse, it teaches medication, patience, defensive and offensive strikes, and it teaches great endurance. It teaches insight; knowing the move’s of your opponent and countering them. Ninjitsu teaches hand-to-hand combat as well as weapon based combat, however in the weapon area, mostly we are talking long range weapons or throwing weapons. Ninjitsu teaches the utilization of spiritual energies, and balancing aggression with patience. Ninjitsu is exclusive in that it teaches the art of stealth, something very important in avoiding large armies of attackers. The art also teaches how to target vital nerves in an attacker’s body, leaving them stunned or incapacitated. Ninjitsu also involves modern technologies, such as the use of diversions and smoke grenades. By mastering psychology, a ninja can defeat his opponent first mentally, then physically. This art can be very powerful and very effective in most of all self-defense situations in real life. However, it is not ideal for arena fighting, in which you must rely on heavy weighted attack techniques. Ninja’s by contrast are taller and leaner, rather than bigger and stockier. But this middle class body weight is perfect for a ninja, being you can move fast and decisively, but you must have immense muscle strength to be a ninja. Ninjitsu is probably the best martial art for real-life scenario’s in which you must know the greatest diversities of self-defense tactics. It is not by any means sufficient when fighting in an arena against a boxer or wrestler. You might have a decent chance against a mixed martial artist, but like I said before, one knowing many, will be more efficient against one that only see’s one.
***Sources***
My Own Experience
Reading and Learning
Simulated Expression
Neutralized Expression
Masked Expression
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