The History of Fighting Styles & Systems
Best Martial Arts
Best Combat Sports
Best Military History
Fighting Quotes
"You should not have any special fondness for a particular weapon, or anything else, for that matter. Too much is the same as not enough. Without imitating anyone else, you should have as much weaponry as suits you".
~ Miyamoto Musashi ~
~ Miyamoto Musashi ~
Aikido History Home
A look at the formation of the Japanese martial art of aikido and how it was conceptualised, created and developed by O’ Sensei Morihei Ueshiba. Aikido
techniques are unique in world martial arts as they are designed to subdue opponents by using their own force against them meaning aikido is an effective
self-defence that usually does not cause harm to others.
Archery History Home
The bow and arrow has been used since at least the Palaeolithic Era (late Stone Age) and the earliest known composite bow was used in Egypt c.2800 BCE. Ancient and medieval archery were used for hunting and warfare though with the invention of the firearm, modern archery has developed into a popular sport that is enjoyed all over the world.
The bow and arrow has been used since at least the Palaeolithic Era (late Stone Age) and the earliest known composite bow was used in Egypt c.2800 BCE. Ancient and medieval archery were used for hunting and warfare though with the invention of the firearm, modern archery has developed into a popular sport that is enjoyed all over the world.
BJJ History Home
A look at the development of the art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. After being taught judo by the great Mitsuyo Maeda, Carlos Gracie and later his younger brother Helio innovated new techniques and built a competition system that saw Maeda’s judo evolve into a whole new system, commonly known today as BJJ.
A look at the development of the art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. After being taught judo by the great Mitsuyo Maeda, Carlos Gracie and later his younger brother Helio innovated new techniques and built a competition system that saw Maeda’s judo evolve into a whole new system, commonly known today as BJJ.
Boxing History Home
The history of boxing dates back in one form or another as far as civilisation itself with ancient Greek boxing even being a part of the early Olympic Games. Modern boxing rules have made the sport safer for the fighters and more entertaining for the crowds, resulting in pugilism becoming one of the most popular athletics events on the planet today.
The history of boxing dates back in one form or another as far as civilisation itself with ancient Greek boxing even being a part of the early Olympic Games. Modern boxing rules have made the sport safer for the fighters and more entertaining for the crowds, resulting in pugilism becoming one of the most popular athletics events on the planet today.
Capoeira History Home
An overview of the history of capoeira from its early roots, its development by slaves in Brazil, how it flourished amongst criminals and its further development and legitimisation by Mestre Bimba in the early twentieth century.
An overview of the history of capoeira from its early roots, its development by slaves in Brazil, how it flourished amongst criminals and its further development and legitimisation by Mestre Bimba in the early twentieth century.
Judo History Home
A look at how and why Jigoro Kano developed the Japanese combat sport, judo. In the late nineteenth century, martial arts were in decline in the country so in a bid to save the knowledge that had been passed down for over a thousand years, Kano developed judo from jiu-jitsu as a sport while preserving the deadlier moves within judo kata.
A look at how and why Jigoro Kano developed the Japanese combat sport, judo. In the late nineteenth century, martial arts were in decline in the country so in a bid to save the knowledge that had been passed down for over a thousand years, Kano developed judo from jiu-jitsu as a sport while preserving the deadlier moves within judo kata.
Jujitsu History Home
An overview of the history of jujitsu, from use by samurai warriors to its development as an art in its own right from the 16th century. The article also charts the further secret development of the art from the mid-19th century when martial arts were largely criminalised until the early 1950s, when jujitsu once again flourished in Japan.
An overview of the history of jujitsu, from use by samurai warriors to its development as an art in its own right from the 16th century. The article also charts the further secret development of the art from the mid-19th century when martial arts were largely criminalised until the early 1950s, when jujitsu once again flourished in Japan.
Karate History Home
The history of karate begins in Okinawa, where martial arts were influenced by both kung fu from China, and the Japanese samurai. After weapons were banned on the island, unarmed combat techniques were developed into a style of fighting recognisable as traditional karate, which was further developed after being taken to Japan in the early twentieth century by Gichin Funakoshi.
The history of karate begins in Okinawa, where martial arts were influenced by both kung fu from China, and the Japanese samurai. After weapons were banned on the island, unarmed combat techniques were developed into a style of fighting recognisable as traditional karate, which was further developed after being taken to Japan in the early twentieth century by Gichin Funakoshi.
Kendo History Home
The history of kendo has its roots in samurai sword fighting that was collectively known as kenjutsu. The Edo Period (1603 – 1868) saw a rise of martial arts schools dedicated to teaching sword fighting though these saw sharp decline after the Meiji Restoration (1868), before seeing a revival in the twentieth century with the development of the art of kendo.
The history of kendo has its roots in samurai sword fighting that was collectively known as kenjutsu. The Edo Period (1603 – 1868) saw a rise of martial arts schools dedicated to teaching sword fighting though these saw sharp decline after the Meiji Restoration (1868), before seeing a revival in the twentieth century with the development of the art of kendo.
Knights History Home
A brief look at the life and culture of the medieval knight. Taught to be brave, courteous and gallant, knights were also bloodthirsty warring men who were sworn to fight for their lord and king and even to be ready to die for them when necessary.
A brief look at the life and culture of the medieval knight. Taught to be brave, courteous and gallant, knights were also bloodthirsty warring men who were sworn to fight for their lord and king and even to be ready to die for them when necessary.
Kung Fu History Home
Kung fu history arguably goes back to the 6th century CE and the term kung fu can be used to describe any Chinese martial art. Though there are many styles, philosophies and techniques, most trace their ancestry to the Shaolin Monastery in Henan which has been instrumental in the development and spread of many fighting systems down the ages, collectively known in the West as kung fu.
Kung fu history arguably goes back to the 6th century CE and the term kung fu can be used to describe any Chinese martial art. Though there are many styles, philosophies and techniques, most trace their ancestry to the Shaolin Monastery in Henan which has been instrumental in the development and spread of many fighting systems down the ages, collectively known in the West as kung fu.
Roman Army History Home
A look at the weapons, tactics and organisation of the armies of ancient Rome and how they evolved from a small civil militia in the seventh century BCE in to the most formidable fighting force in the known world by the first century BCE and eventually saw the fall of the Roman Empire by the fifth century CE.
A look at the weapons, tactics and organisation of the armies of ancient Rome and how they evolved from a small civil militia in the seventh century BCE in to the most formidable fighting force in the known world by the first century BCE and eventually saw the fall of the Roman Empire by the fifth century CE.
Samurai History Home
A brief overview of the history of the samurai, looking at the rise and development of the leading social class in Japan and some of the cultural traits than made the samurai warriors unique such as their weapons and their code of ethics, known as bushido.
A brief overview of the history of the samurai, looking at the rise and development of the leading social class in Japan and some of the cultural traits than made the samurai warriors unique such as their weapons and their code of ethics, known as bushido.
Sword History Home
A look at the long history of the sword and its usage across the world. First developed in the Bronze Age and then further developed in the Iron Age, the sword has held great significance in most societies as both a weapon of war, an aid to self-defence and even as a status symbol.
A look at the long history of the sword and its usage across the world. First developed in the Bronze Age and then further developed in the Iron Age, the sword has held great significance in most societies as both a weapon of war, an aid to self-defence and even as a status symbol.
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