6. The Diference between Japanese Martial Arts and World's Martial Arts

  There are many martial arts over the world. Some made in ancient times, others made in these days. And there use various original weapons. This time we will consider this theme from some point of view: weapons, armors, religion, technology and so on.

   First, let’s consider from weapons. “The swords were not effective weapons in the battle field,” is common view throughout the world yet, swordplay have not been out of use. In Japan, people prefer lightweight both-hands sword but in Europa, people prefer long and heavy both-hands sword: the length of this is two meters and the weight is twenty kilograms. It is almost impossible that a people who have average Japanese's physique swing the sword. The art of sword of the German district it progressed in the direction of having struck the enemy by the weight of a sword. Therefore, the length of the sword was extended increasingly. But from around the 16 or 17th century, in the Italy district, footwork was added and it came to use a sword single hand. The art of sword changed to today's fencing.

    Second, consider from armors. In Europa, the defense power of armor was going up by progress of technology, and edge became difficult to pierce the armor. So European like both-hands blunt instrument without using a shield. On the other hand, when the defense power of armor was going up by progress of technology, Japanese sword smith made more outstanding sword. It could pierce the armor. The difference in this way of thinking is very much interesting.

Finally, consider from technology. In the present age, it seems that Eastern martial arts (Judo, Karate, kung fu, etc...) are well-known and popular. For, it is taken up by media in various forms. In the West, put firearms to practical use in the early stage. Consequently, the armor became meaningless and dramatic changes arose in tactics. Although the sword remained as an object for courtesy, the art of fencing hardly developed. But, wrestling and hand-to-hand combat work was mainly developed and improved by an army, and it became popular on a movie or Olympic.

A list of reference: 世界のマーシャルアーツ(Martial Arts in The World)   初見良沼(written by Masamuna Hatsumi)

                               世界　武道格闘技 大百科(Martial Arts and Fighting Skills from Around the World)   ク リス・クルデリ(written by Chris Curdelli)