Childwall Kung Fu Club
History of Martial Arts (Contd)
As the Chinese martial arts developed throughout the centuries, predominantly within the secret grounds of the Shaolin Temple, the habits and characteristics of animals, birds and even insects were studied and imitated by the Shaolin monks. This imitation was an attempt to improve their basic martial arts technique. Earth, wind, fire, water and other elements were also an influence. Down through time the monks improved their systems, injecting new techniques and rejecting others. Eventually, the martial arts spread throughout China and the rest of the Far East.
In Okinawan martial arts, even today, you can see the Chinese influence. It is said that a Shaolin monk taught martial arts in Okinawa, the original translation of Karate being 'China hand', now known as 'empty hand'. After the Japanese invaded Okinawa, karate then made its way to Japan. All Japanese Karate styles like Shotokan, Wado-Ryu, Shito-Ryu and Kyokushinkai were all developed from Okinawan Goju-Ryu at the beginning of the twentieth century.
Korean martial arts flourished in a similar way, originally with a Chinese influence. When the Japanese annexed Korea they banned the indigenous people from practising their martial arts. Some martial artists were killed, others fled the country. After the end of the Second World War, the Japanese influence remained. Similarities can be seen between some Korean martial arts and Japanese and Okinawan Karate styles. Although there have been many martial arts styles and systems lost to time, there are still hundreds of martial arts with thousands of styles and systems still flourishing today. Most styles share similar techniques; it is just their interpretation that is different.
