Styles - World Council of Black Belts Registry

The WCBB respects and accepts all martial art styles around the world. Here are some brief definitions of a few styles below.

Jiu-jitsu

Ju-jitsu (also known as Ju-jutsu and Jiu-jitsu). Translated as ‘gentle art’, is a method of fighting that makes use of holds, locks, strikes and throws to subdue an opponent. Central to these techniques is the concept ju, from a Chinese character commonly interpreted as 'gentle' in the sense of yielding to an opponent's direction of attack while attempting to control it.

The methods of combat known as jitsu are at least 2000 years old, with mention in Japanese mythology. The birth of jitsu probably coincided with the origins of the Samurai class. Many samurai became teachers of the martial arts - shifting from weaponed to weaponless styles. These were developed from the grappling techniques of the weaponed styles and were collectively known as ju-jutsu. Because these techniques were designed for combatants wearing armour, the large leaping and kicking movements found in many other martial arts are not used in jitsu.

Karate

We can follow the origins of Karate as far back as 1370, it is thought that Chinese monks brought their form of self defence to the Island of Okinawa, the people here then developed their own forms and styles.

The word ‘Karate’ is made up of two characters, Kara and Te. The word Kara meaning 'empty' and Te meaning 'hand'. Therefore Karate means ‘Empty Hand’.

Karate is primarily thought of being a form of self-defence but with its combination of powerful blocks and strikes, it also has many other advantages, karate improves basic all round fitness, builds stamina, helps self control, improves concentration, and is good for discipline.

Aikido

Aikido is a Japanese martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba (often referred to by his title 'O Sensei' or 'Great Teacher'). On a purely physical level it is an art involving some throws and joint locks that are derived from jiu-jitsu. Aikido focuses not on punching or kicking opponents, but rather on using their own energy to gain control of them or to throw them away from you. It is not a static art, but places great emphasis on motion and the dynamics of movement.

O Sensei placed great weight on the development of harmony and peace through this art. This is still true of Aikido today, although different styles emphasise the more spiritual aspects to greater or lesser degrees. Although the idea of a martial discipline striving for peace and harmony may seem paradoxical, it is the most basic tenet of the art.

Aikido is rooted in several styles of jiu-jitsu, as well as sword and spear fighting arts. Oversimplifying somewhat, we may say that aikido takes the joint locks and throws from jiu-jitsu and combines them with the body movements of sword and spear fighting.

Judo

Judo is many things to different people. It is a fun sport, an art, a discipline, a recreational or social activity, a fitness program, a means of self-defense or combat, and a way of life. It is all of these and more.

Judo comes to us from the fighting system of feudal Japan. Founded in 1882 by Dr. Jigoro Kano, Judo is a refinement of the ancient martial art of Jujutsu. Dr. Kano, President of the University of Education, Tokyo, studied these ancient forms and integrated what he considered to be the best of their techniques into what is now the modern sport of Judo.

Judo was introduced into the Olympic Games in 1964 and is practiced by millions of people throughout the world today. Judo is best known for it's spectacular throwing techniques but also involves considerable grappling on the ground utilizing specialized pins, control holds, arm locks, and Judo choking techniques. Judo emphasizes safety, and full physical activity for top conditioning.

Kobudo

Kobudo is an Okinawan martial art that involves the use of and training with different weapons. In the 16th Century, the carrying of weapons in Okinawa was prohibited to all but the Samurai. This left the peasants of Okinawa more or less defenseless against them. Therefore, weapons and techniques were devised using farmers’ tools. Examples of these are the tonfa - originally a grinder handle, and the nunchaku which were wheat flails.

Rigorous training over years is said to cultivate both physical, mental and spiritual strength.

Kung-Fu

In general, Kung Fu is a label used to describe any Martial Art that comes from China. The words ‘Kung Fu’ can be literally translated as ‘skill from effort’. It can be used to describe anything that requires a person to invest both time and effort into training to become skillful.

It is said that the term ‘Kung Fu’ gained widespread use in reference to Chinese Martial Arts during the influx of Chinese immigrants to the United States during the 1800s.

Kung Fu has both hard and soft styles. All styles teach the use of throws, grappling holds, weapons, and self-defence. It is therefore a more broad and complex system of combat than many other styles. A similar Japanese martial art is Jiu Jitsu.