Karate and Kung Fu are different forms of oriental martial arts. Karate was developed in what is now Okinawa, Japan, and Kung Fu in China.
Karate is a form of unarmed Japanese martial art developed from fighting methods from the Ryūkyū Islands in Okinawa, Japan. Kung fu comprises a number of fighting styles that have developed over the centuries in China. It is also a form of exercise with a spiritual dimension stemming from concentration and self-discipline.
Comparison chart
 | Karate | Kung Fu |
|---|---|---|
| What is it? | Karate is a form of unarmed Japanese martial art developed from fighting methods from the Ryukyu Islands, what is now Okinawa, Japan. | Kung fu comprises a number of fighting styles that have developed over the centuries in what is today the country of China. It is also a form of exercise with a spiritual dimension stemming from concentration and self-discipline. |
| Also known as | Karate-do and Karatedo | Wushu and hundreds of other styles (Hung Gar, Wing Chun, Praying Mantis and Choy Li Fut to name a few). |
| Movements | Karate is primarily a striking art, with punching, kicking, knee/elbow strikes, and open-handed techniques.The movements are crisp and linear. And also has various blocking techniques like parries; and takedowns are taught as well. | Many styles feature circular, fluid movements and forms that mimic the attacks of animals. Most styles include the punch, jabs, strikes and kicks common to Karate since Karate is technically an offshoot of Shaolin kung fu. |
| Olympic event | Yes | No |
| History | According to legend, the evolution of karate began in 5th Century CE 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 BCE. |
| Meaning | The Way of the Empty Hand | 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. |
| Typical Style of Bow | Arms straight against the torso | The same as the bow for Karate, but one or more hands are usually in front of the sternum. The position of the hands vary- one common variation is having the right fist enclosed in the left palm with the bottom of the hands facing outward. |
| Organizations | Some of the main organizations are: WKF World Karate Federation, European Kyokushin Karate Org., World Seido Karate Org., USA National Karate do, Japan Karate Federation, International Karate Assoc., Kenkojuku Karate Assoc. | IKF (International Kung Fu Federation), USAWKF (United States of America Wushu-Kungfu Federation), IWUF (International Wushu Federation) |
| Features | Strong punches, kicks, takedowns, and blocks. As fast as Taekwondo | Fast Movement Based on Animals |
Movements
Karate is primarily a striking art, with punching, kicking, knee/elbow strikes, and open-handed techniques. The movements are crisp and linear.
The fluid, circular movements in Kung fu are often imitations of the fighting styles of animals, initiated from one of five basic foot positions: normal upright posture and the four stances called dragon, frog, horse riding, and snake.
Traditional Uniforms
The traditional wear for Karate is a white uniform called a gi, with has a light, loose fitting. Due to the nature of Karate training which emphasizes striking, kicking and a limited range of standing throws, the karategi has evolved so as to maximizes mobility and speed. Most quality karategi are cut from a light canvas-like cloth which will stand up to a considerable amount of abuse without restricting the mobility. Different styles of Karate have slightly different uniforms though all share the same basic design, differing only in the lengths of sleeves, legs and the skirt of the uwagi (jacket). Many karate practitioners tend to wear their obi (belt) much longer than practitioners of judo and other martial artists. The color of the belt varies, depending on the rank. Black belt is the highest ranking belt. Karatekas generally practice barefoot.
Kung fu uniforms vary a lot in color, style and material. Most uniforms have tops with Chinese style buttons, unlike the overlapping tied-up fronts of a karategi. As opposed to the consistent white karategi, Kung fu uniforms come mostly in fabrics like satin in a variety of bright colors. Chinese martial arts schools in Asia do not show rankings in uniforms. Kung fu practitioners often wear shoes with the uniform.
Meaning
The meaning of the term kara te 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 gongfu) refers 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 B.C.
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.
Some Kung Fu organizations are IKF (International Kung Fu Federation), USAWKF (United States of America Wushu-Kungfu Federation), IWUF (International Wushu Federation).
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