Martial Arts - Between Aikido and Karate?

Question

Whats the main difference between Aikido and Karate (both training and the artform itself?)

Why so many different schools of the two martial arts? Any difference between the different styles of the same art? If so, what are the difference?

Please note that I am not asking for which is better. I just wish to make an informed decision.

Thanks

Answer 1

In the art of Aikido, you focus on learning on how to use your opponent's own momentum against them. This is done through grapples, flips/throws, and pressure point holds. It's also a much more spiritual martial art - you need to be well centered; some sensei's will even delve into the role of chi in Aikido. This site has many useful articles:

http://www.aikidofaq.com/

In the art of Karate, you are focusing your training on combat. The term "kara te" actually means empty hand, since the monks and peasants that developed the first forms weren't allowed to have weapons. Once you successfully learn how to utilize your hands and fists, you'd go on to weapon forms. The strikes and weapons you'd learn vary from style to style. This site can get you some basic info on Karate:

http://www.all-karate.com/

Answer 2

Karate and Aikido are as different as night and day.
Karate is an"ëxtenal" art depending on powerful blocks strikes and kicks. Aikido is an ïnternal"art depending on Ki/Chi development and defeating (without injuring if possible) an attacker by use of Projections (throws) and immobilizations (joint locks & pins).
Compairing Aikido to Karate is like compairing Chess to Checkers.
You can become self defence competent in Karate in about a fifth of the time it will take you in Aikido.
There are dozens of different Karate styles which will more or less look the same. There are only four main "styles" of Aikido: Yoshinkan - hardest & most combat effective, Tomiki - quite a few of these that have some Judo like competition, Ki Society - mostly spiritual, & the main one that follows The Founders teaching post WW2 - Aikikai.

If you are young and interested more in learning to fight; then go Karate. If you are mature and want to study a thinking mans Martial Art - go Aikido.

Answer 3

Hi, Aikido is an ancient Japanese Martial Arts used to be called Jujitsu. Jujitsu was split into three Martial Arts System, Judo, Akikido, and Jujitsu. The are all take down discipline using the other opponent weight, energy and power. Aikido never throw kicks and punches, but more of in circular motion to destroy the striking force of the opponent attack. Karate has many different styles because over the centuries, many masters has developed their own program following their experience, heart, and philosophy of what Karate should be. The Traditional Karate is Okinawan Kobudo. Then, when it reached the main land, it has developed into Shotokan, Uechiryu, Wadoryu, Gojyuru, and Isshinryu. However, after the WW2, the Legendary Martial Arts master founded a new system called KyokushinKai, a bare feet, bare hand full contact knock down system. This is the modern most popular Karate system in the world of today.

Answer 4

first of all, how tall you are or how heavy you are has nothing to do with what you should choose when it comes to martial arts. Every martial arts evolved from a similar origin, for war and for self defense. Contrary to popular belief, Kung fu is in fact a effective art of fighting, however it is very difficult to find a good instructor in the west and it takes many many years of practice and training to master the true skill of kung fu and apply its techniques. The translation for "Kung Fu" simply means "skills" meaning it is something that you must train very hard to acquire. the same can be said for any other martial art, however karate and aikido are probably more practical to what you said you wanted to do. aikido and karate are somewhat similar; aikido involves some forms of weaponry while karate generally does not. The karate weapons are rather simple, they are the nunchakus, tonfas, the staff, and sais. aikido involves a larger variety, including but not limited to swords and daggers. As for tai chi, although it can be a very effective and deadly art, in most practices have been reduced for only fitness and forms. The only place that practices true tai chi is wudang mountain where it originated from. In true application most of tai chi moves will maim or kill your opponent. so therefore I suggest you go with aikido or karate, or even judo. hope that helps

Answer 5

Well lotsa people posted good answers above so i'll just simplify mine for you. If you are an aggressive type of person who wants to learn how to fight, then Karate is the style for you, because it teaches aggressive striking techniques and encourages you to attack to win the fight. But if you are a pacifist or a person who doesn't like fighting then Aikido is the style for you since it is a non aggressive form of martial art. Aikido is not about beating your attacker to a pulp, it is merely a way of defending yourself by neutralizing his unprovoked attacks without using excessive force on your part. In short Karate teaches you to fight, while Aikido teaches you to avoid a fight.

Answer 6

Hi
The main differences are that Aikido is a soft, internal and circular art and most of the training is to develop a passive frame of mind.

And, Karate (Okinawate, hands of Okinawa) is a hard, external, linear art and most of the training is muscle driven and powered.

They both promote pysical wel-being and dicipline. With Karate you atively attack your oponent. And with Aikido you mostly react to your oponent and more often then not use their attacks to help power your own.

Answer 7

depending on the style of karate but basicly karate utilises more strikes and kicks than aikido and is a more well rounded ma.i would suggest do karate as a base and cross train in aikido when you become adept at karate.i would suggest freestyle karate such as bushikai or zen do kai.if thats not available try enshin or another good freestyle ma.

Answer 8

Aikido is more on the use of hands and grapling while karate will use both hands and feet. With patient dedication to practice, any of these two disciplines will improve not only your self defense but your health, character and outlook in life for both of these will not only focus on the physical but also on the attitude of the student.

Answer 9

The ki-aikido branch of aikido focuses more on the development on the use of ki (qi,chi, chakra,etc.). Practitionaers can use this energy in their throws and attacks.

I have had strange expereinces in this martial art. The higher level practitioners cannot be moved by pushing, can throw without touching, and can throw attacks that pull you in.

Other feats of Ki use include breaking bamboo over suspended rice paper (without tearing) and increasing yoyur body heat.

All Aikido develops and teaches in the use of ki, but Ki-Aikido will start from day one and is more explicit in its use.

Answer 10

Karate is force vs force. Aikido is Your Force used against You, Force vs Smarts/Re-Direction. I teach Both. Karate is for Form, power and technique. Aikido is best for GIRLS who need to defend themselves and don't want to break a nail. But it works for everyone.