What is the Difference Between Karate and Kung Fu

The main difference between Karate and Kung Fu lies in their origins and philosophies. Kung Fu generally involves any skill, discipline, or study acquired through Chinese martial arts, while Karate involves a specific type of martial art that derivated from the indigenous Ryukyuan martial arts and originated in Japan.

Karate and Kung Fu are two forms of Eastern martial arts. They teach people to defend themselves against attackers. They are also practiced as sports all over the world.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Karate 
   – Definition, Features 
2. What is Kung Fu
     – Definition, Features 
3. Similarities Between Karate and Kung Fu
     – Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Karate and Kung Fu
    – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Karate, Kung Fu

What is Karate

Karate is a Japanese martial-arts discipline where the player is unarmed. It involves striking, kicking, and defensive blocking with legs and arms. In Karate, the player focuses on concentrating most of the body’s power at the instance and point of impact.

Moreover, in Karate, the player strikes different surfaces with the hands, elbow, heel, knee, ball of the foot, and forearm. All these body parts usually get toughened when a Karate player is practicing his or her blows against wooden or padded surfaces. Thus, a Karate player who is an expert is able to break pine boards that are several inches thick with his/her barefoot or hand. The spirit, tactics, and timing are equally important for a Karate player as physical fitness and physical toughening.

What is Kung Fu

Kung Fu holds a significant traditional position in Chinese culture as a martial art. It is an ancient Chinese sport that involves not only brawn but also the brain of the player. Compared to other forms of self-defense arts, Kung Fu is more holistic in nature and helps to boost the internal discipline of the player through external techniques. Simply put, Chinese Kung Fu involves both theoretical knowledge and practice. It is a martial art that not only helps towards self-defense but also towards preserving health.

In China, the martial art Kung Fu bloomed in the Shaolin Temple. Monks initially practiced Kung Fu as a means of self-defense while preserving their health. Kung Fu involves many exercises that involve stretching, vital energy, muscle power, and movements of the Long Fist, and each and every movement involves many physical movements such as the movement of breath, eyes, legs, arms, trunk,  feet, hands, etc. Furthermore, beneath each and every physical movement, a mental component exists, and every movement in Kung Fu has a particular purpose.

Similarities Between Karate and Kung Fu

• Karate and Kung Fu are two forms of Eastern martial arts.
• Both Karate and Kung Fu are practiced as a means of self-defense and health-keeping.
• Both martial arts come with a belt ranking system.

Difference Between Karate and Kung Fu

Definition

Kung Fu generally involves any skill, discipline, or study acquired through Chinese martial arts, while Karate is a specific type of martial art derivated from the indigenous Ryukyuan martial arts and originated in Japan.

Place of Origin

Karate originated in Japan, while Kung Fu originated in China.

Practice Attire

Kung Fu practitioners usually wear loose-fitting pants with belts and shoes, whereas Karate practitioners wear the traditional Gi.

Movements

Karate movements are believed to be more linear, while Kung Fu movements are believed to be more circular.

Focus

Karate is more focused on striking, unlike Kung Fu, which is more focused on self-defense against multiple opponents or weapons. This is why Karate is often considered more aggressive compared to Kung Fu.

Conclusion

To conclude, the main difference between Karate and Kung Fu lies in their origins and philosophies. The main difference between Karate and Kung Fu lies in their origins and philosophies. Kung Fu generally involves any skill, discipline, or study acquired through Chinese martial arts, while Karate involves a specific type of martial art that derivate from the indigenous Ryukyuan martial arts and originated in Japan.

Reference:

1. “Karate.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
2. “What Is Kung Fu?” Pittsburgh Kung Fu Center.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Kung Fu Nuns of the Drukpa Order” By Drukpa Publications Pvt. Ltd. – www.drukpa.com (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “WKF-Karate-World-Championships 2012 Paris 168” By Claus Michelfelder – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia