Sumo
Karate
Judo
Kendo
Aikido
Nin-jitsu
Sumo
Sumo is a form of wrestling. The aim of this sport is to thrust adversary beyoud the circle or to knock him down. To make it contestan use special heaves, blows or hits with body. Whole fight is precede by the traditional japanese ceremony. The contestants rinse their mouth and dry body on a paper towels. They weight a lot (even over 150 kg). Contestant is dressed in ten-metres-long silk belf, which is wrapped around over his waist.Referees wear traditional costumes from XIVth century. The origin of sumo are shinto rituals, but in Edo period (XVII/XVIII), sumo became a popular show and national sport.
Karate
Karate means empty hands. In this fight no weapon is used. As a weapon are used hands, foots, and sometimes head. There are many different stylesin karate, for example shotokan or kyokushiakai.
It is probable, that karate came from kung-fu, so-called chinese boxing, which was moved on Okinawa island.
Judo
Judo means noble way.
It cames from japanese fight called ju-jitsu, but without elements which could endanger fighter's lives. The aim of the fight is to knock adversary down on mate. To achieve this, they are using heaves (naga waza) and catchs (katame waza).... There are 19 degrees in judo - 6th first are follower degree (called kyu), last 13 are master degree. The better the fighter is, the darker the belt is, which the fighter tie his kimono.
Rules of judo formulated in XIX century Jidgaro Kano. Since 1964 judo is an Olimpic dyscipline.
Kendo
Kendo means way of the sword . In Edo period it was an art of wielding the sword (kenjitsu) and it was a training for samurais. Now cotestants fence with sword made of bamboo in thick costumes and in masks. The aim of the fence is to hit on adversary's head, shoulder, body, hand or throat. Since 1871 kendo is an obligatory element in physical education in japanese schools.
Aikido
Aikido icombine elements of aikijutsu jujitsu and Chinese martial arts. This fight id defensive and it repudiate violence.
Aikido is really hard to learn. It involve a lot of hard work and patience. It takes more then 10 years to have effectiveness of the master. In aikido fighter uses the strenght of adversary to block this aggression. Aikido is also spotr discipline.
Morihei Ueshiba popularized aikido. He was calld O - Sensei what means "the Great Teacher".
Nin-jitsu
Nin-jitsu developed in times of feudalism in Japan. Person who practise nin-jitsu is called ninja. He have to combine hard physical training with strict discipline of his mind. Thanks to that nin-jitsu is specific style of fight which combine armed ahd unarmed defence.
