To choose between Karate and Kung Fu, rate them on the comparison parameters by entering scores (+ve or -ve) in the comparison tool.
The total points are automatically shown in the top row. This should help you decide.
Karate is primarily a striking art, with punching, kicking, knee/elbow strikes, and open-handed techniques.
The various movements in kung fu, most of which are imitations of the fighting styles of animals, are initiated from one of five basic foot positions: normal upright posture and the four stances called dragon, frog, horse riding, and snake.
Olympic event:
No
No
Country of Origin:
Ryukyu Kingdom(Japan)
China
What is it?:
Karate is a martial art developed from fighting methods from the Ryūkyū Islands, Chinese kempo and classical Japanese martial arts.
Kung fu is a form of unarmed combat as well as a form of exercise with a spiritual dimension stemming from concentration and self-discipline
Meaning:
The meaning of the word karate is "empty hands." It refers to the fact that Karate originated as a system of self-defense which relied on the effective use of the unarmed body of the practitioner.
In Chinese, colloquially, kung fu (or gung fu) alludes to any individual accomplishment or cultivated skill obtained by long and hard work. It also refers to the form of martial arts.
History:
According to legend, the evolution of karate began over two thousand years ago, in fifth century BC when Bodhidharma (Indian Buddhist monk) arrived in Shaolin-si (small forest temple). From there it appeared in Okinawa, a Japanese Island.
As martial art, kung fu can be traced to the Zhou dynasty (1111–255 bc) and even earlier. As exercise it was practiced by the Daoists in the 5th century bc.
Also known as:
Karate do
Parenthood:
Chinese martial arts, indigenous martial arts of Ryukyu Islands
Organizations:
Some of the main organizations are: European Kyokushin Karate Organization, World Seido Karate Organization, USA national karate DO Federation, Japan karate federation, International karate association, All India Budokan Karate Federation.
Karate and Kung fu are both forms of martial arts. While karate is Japanese, kung fu is Chinese.
