How does karate, Ti kw an do, jujitsu, and hakido all differ from each other?

Question

My kids are 5, 7, and 8yrs. old. I was wondering which martial art would they benefit from the most?

Answer 1

Every martial art has it's benefits and flaws. Some are more spirtual, some are more towards fighting elements such as speed and power, but they're all good in their own way. I think it would have been better if you told us what benefits you were talking about.

These Oriental arts you picked have similar bases, but they emphasize many different things.

I'll start with Japan:
Karate- "The way of the empty hand." It is a balanced martial art that is greatly centerered around a 50/50 ratio of hand and foot techniques ranging from various kicks, to multiple hand strikes such as spear hands, elbows, and neck chops. It varies through the many styles (Goju, Shorin, Sachhin, Uechi, Isshin for example), but the base level is around that. It sometimes includes techinques that are taken from other arts (Because it is technically dervied from Chinese and Okinawa fighting arts as one), and fighting on other ranges such as entry-level grappling techniques. It's one of the most popular Martial arts, and it almost always had a strong spirutal backbone.

Jujutsu- "The art of softness." The unarmed art of the Samurai. A Japanese martial art centered around highly effective grappling, ground fighting, submissions, locks, and take down techniques, that also includes striking (Albeit less of an emphasis). Japanese styles are decent all-arounders for self defense.

(BJJ- It's in a world of it's own. It's actually dervied from Judo, and it focuses greatly on the ground fighting range of the art of Judo with a big emphasis on submissions. It's naturally a very aggressive art [Hence why it's commonly seen in cage fighting], which may or may not be a good thing for children.)

Korea:

Tae Kwo Do- "The way of the hand and foot." It is a Korean martial art that combines techniques from arts of Korea, Japan, and China, into a culmination that is mostly linear striking. Tae Kwon Do tends to have more kicks (And a higher ratio of kicks to punches: Usually 70/30 in favor of kicking) emphasiszed than Karate, but we can't know what balance works for your children. Tae Kwon Do, just like Karate, sometimes includes joint locks, and entry level grappling for example as well. It's strong base is on the striking: Just like Karate. A traditional TKD school will have a strong spirtual background, but newer schools in any of these styles may not.

Hapkido- "The way of coordinated energy." Hapkido is an ecletic, defensive martial art, that combines striking that is similar to TKD (Though the application/ratio is usually different depending on style), submissions, throws, joint locks/manipulation, and in some cases: Ground fighting. It's quite similar to jujutsu, and both arts cover various fighting ranges, which are essential for self defense.

That's all I can give you. You will have to search the individual schools to really know about the benefits that go beyond the techniques. Try some introductory classes with them, check to see if the school has any online reviews from people, and write down those benefits you look for. You might just find them in some style you've never heard of.

Good luck.

Answer 2

I am bias because I took up BJJ not long ago. What people say about trying to play to your strong side is true. I used to do Taekwondo when I was young. Now that I'm older and slower I took up BJJ as I think it is the chance I have and strong emphasis on the I part. There are guys that are fast and have great hand and feet that would level me before the clinch I realize that. I just operate that if I should ever get into a confrontation (protect myself or loved ones, not to prove a point or to be a tough guy) that something is better than nothing. I'll also train in the MMA aspects also and keep some of the priciples that I learned in TaeKwondo to try to become as complete as I can be. I think that it is 100% correct though about the practitioner being the key. I mean the Gracies were raised in Jujitsu so they already have an advantage. Oh, I have a question for Katana. I thought that a lot to all of the takedowns in BJJ ARE Judo takedowns. I only thought that because the origins of BJJ are actually JUDO. It is just that some schools concentrate less on the complete game and focus on the sporting or Competition portions of it. Just like Judo concentrates on the throws a lot. Please tell me if I'm wrong because if I am I'll need to consider cross training in a little Judo for the throws. Thanks for bringing it to my attention Katana.

Answer 3

They would get the same benefits from all of them. The only difference is that each style teaches different things like Taekwondo teaches striking, which is kicks and punches, and I've heard a little bit of ground fighting. Jujitsu focuses mainly on grappling which includes take downs, ground fighting, locks, chokes etc., but also teaches striking. Hapkido I believe is another style that is mainly grappling but mostly teaches things from the standing position. Also, if you mean Brazilian Jujitsu, and not just Jujitsu, Brazilian Jujitsu teaches no striking and is mostly ground fighting. The only thing that is different is the style of fighting that is used. I would recommend that you talk to the chief instructor of all of these places that teach these martial arts because some instructors might be better than others. The only reason they wouldn't get the same benefits is because of the instructor.

Answer 4

A good reason for asking, but you're really asking the wrong question :)

Any of these traditional arts will teach your kinds some valuable life lessons, socialization lessons, self-confidence lessons, and some self-defense lessons and ot be honest, at the age of your children, the differences between the arts are not so compelling.

The MOST important thing you have to consider is the instructor/s who will be teaching your children, and the enviornment they will learn in. Visit each of the schools first and talk with the instructors/s. Observe a few classes your kids will participate in and make sure they are well run, with instructor/s setting defined boundaries and expectations, but still having fun with the kids at the same time. Chat with other parents at the clubs to see what their overall impression is. This will give you a good guide as to which instructor to entrust your children to.

Your children will spend quite a bit of time with the instructor, the other students, and at the school, so you should take your own time to ensure you find a suitable place.

Good luck

Ken C
9th Dan HapMoosaKi-Do
8th Dan TaeKwon-Do
7th Dan YongChul-Do

Answer 5

TKD usese flashy kicks and spinnin kicks and punches while karate use a more straight to the punch style brute force, hakido I belive is like a mixture of both i believe. Juijistu is a ground based style using sumbmissions. For your kids I would not put them in Juijitsu for sure I would start them out in tkd or karate they have a better chance of getting and staying in shape and great discipline. not saying juijitsu is bad but if would start that out when they are older if they wish to.

Answer 6

Karate, Tae Kwon Do are 'striking' arts.

Ju jitsu is a striking/throwing art.

Hapikido is a combination of striking and throwing.

Karate is Okinawan, Jujitsu is Japanese, and Tae kwon do and hapikido are Korean.

Your kids should study Judo.

Answer 7

Its actually best for child developement for them NOT to be doing a striking art at such a young age.

Do some research, a grappling based art would be best, such as BJJ, or something similar.