So, you've been studying martial arts for a while, and you're thinking about trying out a new style. You've heard good things about both jiu-jitsu and karate, but you're not sure which one is right for you. Well, have no fear! Today, we're going to look at the core difference between jiu jitsu and karate – two popular martial arts styles that often get compared to each other.
We will explore the history of both techniques and their fundamental differences. So, let’s get started!
The core differences between jiu-jitsu and karate
So what are the critical distinctions between jiu-jitsu and karate? Let's take a look;
Origins
We can trace back the origins of Jiu-Jitsu to Japan, where Buddhist monks developed hand-to-hand combat that uses leverage and balance principles.
On the other hand, Karate originated in Okinawa. It was a self-defence system developed in response to the many street fights that took place on the island.
Philosophy
In Japanese, the word Karate, which means "empty hand", is a striking art that focuses on powerful kicks and punches. Jiu-jitsu, which translates to "gentle art," is a grappling martial art that uses holds and submissions to control an opponent.
While both arts share some similarities - such as using hands and feet for self-defence - the fundamental principles of jiu-jitsu make it unique. For example, practitioners learn how to deflect an attacker's strikes in karate. In contrast, jiu-jitsu students learn how to avoid being stuck in the first place by using leverage and balance.
Technique
Karate focuses on delivering robust, single strikes with both hands and feet. Jiu-jitsu practitioners use various techniques to control and submit to their opponents. These include joint locks, chokes, and throws. The methods for both arts also differ in terms of :
Speed
Karate techniques are delivered quickly and with power. Jiu-jitsu techniques are typically slower but more controlled. Additionally, this allows for a greater level of precision and effectiveness.
Strength
To deliver effective karate strikes, you need to be strong and have good muscle coordination. In jiu-jitsu, the athlete’s technique is more important than brute force. You can be smaller or weaker and still be successful in this martial art.
Groundwork
Karate does not typically involve groundwork. Jiu-jitsu is a ground-based art, which means that you will often end up on the ground during a fight. So this allows you to use your grappling skills to gain an advantage over your opponent.
Competition
Karate is predominantly a competitive sport, while jiu-jitsu is not. Many people who practice jiu-jitsu do so primarily for self-defence, whereas karate practitioners often compete in tournaments to test their skills. Maybe that's why Karate is a sport in the Olympics, while Jiu-jitsu is not.
But this doesn’t mean that there are no competitions in jiu-jitsu – there are many – but they tend to be less formal than those in karate.
Belt system
In karate, there are ten belts: white, yellow, orange, green, blue, purple, brown, red, black, and then a 10th-degree black belt. The ranking goes up in increments of 1-3 belts, depending on the system.
Jiu-jitsu, offers six belts only: white, blue, purple, brown, black, and then a 10th-degree black belt. The ranking goes up in increments of 1 belt. So this means that it is typically much harder to achieve a higher rank in karate than in jiu-jitsu.
Also, this discrepancy can be seen as an advantage for jiu-jitsu, as it takes longer to achieve a black belt, meaning that the practitioner is likely more skilled.
So there you have it- the critical discrepancies between jiu-jitsu and karate. Both arts are incredibly beneficial, but they offer different things depending on what you’re looking for.
COMMENTS