Kung Fu vs Karate

Expert:James Copple
Date:9/15/2004
Subject: Karate vs Kung Fu

Question
I'm confused about what to join: Karate or Kung Fu. May you guide me what are the basic differences between them, which is beneficial and most powerful?

Thanks
James

Answer
It is impossible to know the differences until you have trained in or seen both arts - I can remember having to make a similar choice between Tae Kwon Do and Karate.

If you are facing a choice between Karate and Kung Fu, then I suggest you go to four lessons of each and make your choice. It is not necessarily the art that is important, but the teacher. Talk to the students and decide which teacher you think is best for you.

Both arts are beneficial to the body (if practiced correctly).

Kung Fu was invented by Chinese monks and features many 'circular' movements, as well as pressure point techniques and styles based around the movements of animals. It was created by people who believe in Karma and wanted to minimize the damage done to an attacker, to prevent bad Karma coming back to the monk.

Karate was invented by the bodyguards of the King of Okinawa, and was derived from Kung Fu. They didn't care about Karma - they needed to kill with one blow. Karate features 'linear' techniques designed to finish a fight with one blow, and to fight many opponents.

With mastery, both martial arts will teach the same techniques, but in a different order and with different emphasis. Karate is normally considered to be more powerful at least in the early stages, as it teaches powerful hitting.

Return To Top

Click here on more about the origin and history of Kung Fu and Karate. Click here on more about the process of certifying a person as to his skill level in martial arts.