Aikido vs Karate – Difference and Comparison

What is Aikido?

Aikido is a well-known martial arts style that originated in Japan. This martial arts’ originator was Morihei Ueshiba. It is a synthesis of harmony, peace, and self-defense. Such an art form is claimed to assist the practitioner with psychological and physical harmony.

Aikido is a particularly reliable martial art for self-defense since it not only teaches us how to resist a range of attacks but also trains our mental and physical state. The multifaceted approach to Aikido training strengthens and completes us as people, making us better prepared to defuse or protect against unfavorable situations.

The fundamental philosophy of Aikido is just to neutralize an aggressive and violent situation rather than to fight. Surprisingly, this martial arts discipline rejects all forms of violence. As an alternate, it advises practitioners to utilize the opponent’s weight against him in order to overcome him.

To do so, it’s indeed necessary to practice discerning the path of an incoming attack at the practitioner and using all the momentum he can muster to utilize the opponent’s assault to beat the opponent.

What is Karate?

Karate is a well-known martial arts style that began in the Ryukyu Kingdom, which is now part of contemporary Japan. Sakukawa Kanga, Arakaki Seish,  Itosu Ank, Matsumura Skon, and Higaonna Kanry are its developers. To knock down the opponent, such a martial arts discipline employs kicking, knee strikes, elbow strikes, punching,  and other techniques.

Karate includes several methods and styles. To knockdown or defeat an opposition, practitioners of this martial arts technique adopt a series of postures, also known as kata, that can be defensive or attacking.

Different colored belts in karate represent a karate practitioner’s status and ability level. Whenever a karate student has achieved a karate belt of a certain/rank, others will see your rating and that you have committed your time obtaining to that level.

Students initially learn to concentrate all of their strength in their kicks and punches so that even if they employ them versus their opponent, individuals have a significant impact on them. Modern Karate methods include restraints, grappling, throws, and joint-locks in addition to striking.

Difference Between Aikido and Karate

  1. Aikido was founded by Morihei Ueshiba, whereas Karate was founded by Sakukawa Kanga, Arakaki Seish,  Itosu Ank, Matsumura Skon, and Higaonna Kanry.
  2. Aikido focuses on grappling and suppleness, whereas Karate focuses on striking.
  3. Learning Aikido is useful for self-defense along with defusing a violent or aggressive situation, whereas learning Karate is useful for self-defense as well as striking and assaulting an opponent.
  4. The primary actions of Aikido are soft blocks, standing holds and locks, takedowns using joint locks, and employing pressure points and nerves, whereas the predominant moves of Karate include knee strikes, palm-heel strikes, punching, spear hands. knife-hands, elbow strikes, and kicking,
  5. Aikido developed in Japan, whereas Karate was established in the Ryukyu Kingdom(Japan).

Comparison Between Aikido and Karate

Parameters of ComparisonAikidoKarate
Country of originAikido developed in the Japanese country of Japan.Karate began in the Ryukyu Kingdom, which is now part of contemporary Japan.
Developed byMorihei Ueshiba founded Aikido.Itosu Ank, Sakukawa Kanga, Arakaki Seish, Higaonna Kanry, and Matsumura Skon invented karate.
Main focusAikido is mostly concerned with grappling and gentleness.Karate’s major focus is striking.
Main usesThe primary purpose of practicing Aikido is to defend oneself and to avoid a violent or hostile situation.Karate is mostly used for self-defense as well as striking and assaulting an opponent.
Predominant movesSoft blocking, standing holds and locks, takedowns employing joint locks, and exploiting pressure points and nerves are the most common maneuvers in Aikido.Karate movements include kicking, knee strikes, spear hands, punching, palm-heel strikes, knife hands, as well as elbow strikes.

References

  1. https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=S4JRDf6C4iMC&oi=fnd&pg=PP9&dq=Aikido+&ots=AMhYIdP3Y3&sig=37UPsw7oDw5gtCe3Q1s5CqJK128
  2. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-1-84800-354-5_16