11 Facts About Martial Arts: Explore The Less Known
Explore 11 lesser-known facts about martial arts, uncovering hidden secrets, surprising history, and the impact on culture and self-discipline.
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Mwenda Kelvin (Chief Editor)
1/22/20255 min read


Martial Arts Silhuette (Credit: Pixabay)
Since ancient times, martial arts have been used to develop the abilities and self-control of fighters, athletes, and spiritual explorers. Although many people are familiar with well-known styles like Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, or Karate, there are many lesser-known but equally fascinating hidden jewels in the history of martial arts whereby in addition to showcasing martial arts' vast and varied history, this blog post article will offer 11 interesting and little-known facts about them that also highlight their cultural significance, philosophical complexity, and intriguing evolution. These facts will give you a whole new respect for this age-old craft, regardless of your level of experience or interest in learning.
The Origin of Karate Lies in China: Despite being frequently linked to Japan, karate actually has Chinese origins. Originally known as "Shuri-te," Okinawan martial arts were greatly influenced by Chinese Kung Fu, especially the "Fujian White Crane" style. Chinese martial artists brought their skills and knowledge to Okinawa in the 14ᵗʰ century. The growth of Karate, which would go on to become one of the most well-liked martial arts in the world, was greatly aided by this cross-cultural interaction which serves as an intriguing reminder that martial arts involve interrelated forms of cultural exchange rather than discrete lineages.
Samurai Trained in More Than Just Combat: Although popular culture has long portrayed the Samurai as warriors with exceptional sword skills, their training went much beyond the battlefield whereby Samurai also had a strong interest in the arts, especially in fields like poetry, calligraphy, and tea ceremonies. Bushido (the way of the warrior), their code of conduct, placed a strong emphasis on the value of intellectual and spiritual growth where the objective was to develop a well-rounded person who could exhibit honor and integrity in all facets of life, not only in combat, hence, the Samurai are among the most disciplined and esteemed soldiers in history because of their emphasis on cultural refinement.
Muay Thai's "Art of Eight Limbs": Thailand's national martial art, muay thai, is sometimes called the "Art of Eight Limbs" due to the fact that it uses every part of the body to strike with Muay Thai warriors striking their opponent from almost any angle using their fists, elbows, knees, and shins, in contrast to many other striking disciplines making it among the most dynamic and adaptable martial arts in the world because of this method. In addition to making the strikes more effective, the focus on using the complete body creates a distinctive training program that increases endurance, balance, and coordination.
The First Recorded Use of Jiu-Jitsu Was in Japan: The origins of Jiu-Jitsu may be traced back to medieval Japan, even if Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is the most well-known style today. The Samurai invented this ancient martial art as a way to fight close quarters without weapons and in order to protect oneself during the Sengoku period (15ᵗʰ – 17ᵗʰ century), when Samurai were regularly disarmed in combat, they required a system of grappling tactics where as a result, Jiu-Jitsu (a mix of throws, blows, and joint locks) was developed with the art becoming well-known around the world when the Brazilian form of it, which developed later, modified these ancient methods and put more of an emphasis on ground combat.
The "Turtle" Style of Kung Fu: The "Xian Tian" or "Turtle Style" is one of the most enigmatic and intriguing of the numerous distinct Kung Fu styles whereby this technique mimics the traits of a turtle by emphasizing slow, methodical movements and protective stances. Turtle Style's guiding ideals place an emphasis on endurance rather than dominance and strength through stillness. Instead of being used for violent conflict, this form is frequently used for meditation and the development of internal energy. The Turtle Style is a stunning reminder of the strength of endurance and patience in a society that frequently glorifies speed and aggression.
The Dangers of Traditional "Dim Mak": In martial arts mythologies, Dim Mak, often known as the "Touch of Death," is a mysterious idea which entails applying pressure to particular bodily areas thought to be responsible for fatalities or serious injuries and there is some reality to Dim Mak, even if many people reject it as a myth whereby according to traditional Chinese medicine, focusing on specific pressure points may cause the body's meridians (a network of energy channels) to become disrupted and although the concept of a "touch of death" is sensationalized, some martial artists think that accurate blows to these spots, particularly if delivered with great force, could have incapacitating consequences.
The First Martial Arts Tournament in History Was in 648 AD: With the popularity of mixed martial arts (MMA), martial arts competitions may appear to be a relatively recent development, however the first known martial arts competition was held in China in 648 AD whereby the occasion was a part of a broader celebration of martial arts customs and fighting methods. In front of the emperor, participants in this competition showcased their prowess in martial arts, which were crucial for warriors in those days and the fact that martial arts have been competitive for over a thousand years is astounding.
Shaolin Monks Practice "Iron Shirt" Qigong: Shaolin monks are known for their extraordinary perseverance and tenacity. Iron Shirt Qigong is one of the special techniques that help them achieve their renowned skills where monks who practice this discipline teach their bodies to endure tremendous power, going through repeated blows to particular parts of the body, conditioning the muscles, skin, and bones, thus, the body becomes more resilient to strikes as a result of this practice. In addition to being a physical accomplishment, the capacity to accept and endure torture is an example of the mind-body link that is essential to Shaolin training.
The Lost Art of Ninjutsu: As mysterious as the ninjas themselves is the history of ninjutsu, so is the martial art they practice where a vast array of abilities are included in ninjutsu, such as survival techniques, espionage, stealth, and unconventional warfare. Although the ninja are typically portrayed as assassins, they were also extremely talented spies who frequently used their understanding of disguise and falsehoods to get into enemy territory. Because of its practical application, ninjutsu is an intriguing art that valued flexibility and inventiveness, demonstrating that, in many situations, mental flexibility was just as significant as physical skill.
Capoeira Was Concealed as a Dance: The history of capoeira, a Brazilian martial art renowned for its acrobatics, fluid movements, and rhythmic music, is fascinating whereby it was first developed by African slaves in Brazil who, in order to evade punishment from their Portuguese masters, passed off their combat training as dancing where also they could exercise without drawing attention to themselves by rehearsing their movements in the setting of a dance. Capoeira evolved from a self-defense technique to a cultural expression of freedom and resistance with its history of adaptation and survival demonstrating the tenacity of its creators.
Kalaripayattu's Ancient Origins: Originating in southern India more than 3,000 years ago, Kalaripayattu is regarded as one of the world's oldest combat arts which also is especially intriguing since it combines spiritual rituals with physical fighting tactics. In order to achieve mastery, the art incorporates bodily control, meditation, and rituals in addition to the use of weapons like daggers, swords, and sticks making it a potent tool for self-discovery and personal development because of its holistic nature, which blends martial expertise with a profound philosophical and spiritual approach.
Summary: Hidden Aspects of Martial Arts
Martial arts have a complex history, culture, and philosophy that goes far beyond simple sports or self-defense skills, providing a window into the past and a means of comprehending human discipline, inventiveness, and resiliency, from the ancient beginnings of Karate to the mystical rituals of Shaolin monks and the spiritual training of samurai. The lesser-known facts presented here offer an intriguing deeper dive into the interesting world of battle, regardless of whether you are driven to martial arts for its ability to focus your mind, exercise your body, or explore different cultures.