Jujitsu literally means "gentle art", or "to conquer by yielding or compliance." As one of the oldest Japanese martial arts, it originally, but not exclusively, stressed unarmed combat against armed opponents. It was studied by the Samurai to complement their sword and spear techniques. Over the years, many of these techniques were either adapted or incorporated by virtually all other Japanese open-handed martial arts. In fact, Jujitsu is sometimes called the father of the Japanese martial arts, with both Aikido and Judo developing directly from it.

Kung Fu is a commonly used generic term for several hundred traditional Chinese Martial Arts, sometimes called Chinese Boxing. Kung Fu literally means "a man's effort," which is understood as exercise. Wu-Shu, the more accepted term in Mainland China, means "Martial Arts." Because of the popularity of 1970’s Bruce Lee films in the United States, Kung Fu is the name by which Chinese Martial Arts became known in the West. In fact, the term Kung Fu is used by only one of China's many dialects, Cantonese. This is the dialect spoken in Hong Kong, where Bruce Lee lived and where most of his movies were made. Other names for Kung Fu are Quan-Fa (in Beijing) and Kakute-Jutsu (in Japan).

The various forms of Chinese Boxing fall into two categories. The External System (Wai-Chia), which adopts rigorous physical training and an aggressive approach to combat and the Internal System (Nei-Chia), which stresses exercise and stillness to attain spiritual growth and as a means of self-defense. Most Chinese Martial Art forms, including T'ai Chi and Hsing-I, either fall into one of these two categories or incorporate aspects from both.

Although many styles of Kung Fu practiced today developed at the same time, or even earlier than other Asian Martial Arts, there are certain principles shared by all Kung Fu styles that date back to antiquity. These fighting techniques and tactics spread throughout China and to Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia, Indonesia, and the Philippines, where they formed the basis of all Martial Arts. Elements of Kung Fu can be found in Taekyon, the Korean ancestor of Taekwondo, and in Jujitsu; from where they were adopted by Karate, Judo, and Aikido. The philosophy of circular motion is also apparent in weapon techniques such as Kendo and Kyudo. Some scholars believe that Chinese immigrants brought Kung Fu to Indonesia, where it influenced the development of Pentjak Silat.

Its not surprising, therefore, that Kung Fu is sometimes called the Grandfather of the Martial Arts. In fact it would be more correct say that through Kung Fu, one can see how all the Martial Arts, no matter how different, are related to each other. A good background in one Martial Art will make it easier for the student to master another.

Aikido, is a Japanese martial art. The three concepts that make up its name are: Ai=harmony; Ki=the spirit or source of energy; Do=the "way".

Together, the name signifies the method in which one can attain harmony with one's spirit. It is this that makes Aikido more than just a means of self-defense. The deep religious undertones in Aikido make it a way of life. In the words of its founder, Aikido is "the way of the love of mankind."

Kendo, the "Way of the sword," is the Japanese martial sport of sword fighting. It evolved from a long tradition of swordsmanship among the Bushi and Samurai warriors, who practiced Kenjutsu ("Warrior Art of the Sword"), the classical martial art of sword fighting in battle. Kendo is very different from Kenjutsu. It was founded in the mid-nineteenth century, a relatively peaceful period, when the Samurai were forbidden to wear swords. Considerable emphasis was placed on safety and style, and only certain blows and thrusts were allowed. Kendo's popularity grew rapidly as means of physical exercise and spiritual development. The Japanese Kendo Federation, founded in the early twentieth century, described its' objectives: "the aim of Kendo training is to mold the mind and the body, to cultivate a steady and firm attitude, to work with perseverance in order to progress in Kendo through rigorous training, to hold courtesy and honor in high esteem, to deal with others with sincerity, and finally, always to pursue the perfecting of oneself."

Capoeira is a Brazilian cultural art which started out as an African system of unarmed combat created by African slaves in Brazil. They developed the movements of ritual dance that evolved into techniques of self-defense that would stand against weapons and firearms. The style of fighting was called "Capoeira de Angola". Capoeira consists of stylized dance practiced in a circle called the "roda," with sound background provided by percussion instruments and the "Berimbau" which is a non-percussion instrument that is always used. Even today, music is central to the art with musicians and players singing in the circle. Movement is rhythmic as two players (never called fighters) effortlessly attack and counter attack without actually striking each other.

Muay Thai, called Thai Boxing by foreigners, is the national sport of Thailand and is now getting more popular in many countries around the world. The Thai are a tribal people and have had to defend their country from many invaders throughout their history. It has been developed year by year passing from teacher to student for as long as the Thai can remember. Muay Thai is often referred to as the "science of eight limbs" as it employs not only punching and kicking techniques but elbows and knees as well. It was developed in Thailand over thousands of years. The creation of this fighting art cannot be set to an exact date but it is widely believed to be over two thousand years old. A couple of hundred years ago Muay Thai was referred to as Pahuyuth (multi-faceted fighting style). Muay Thai really is part of a Thai fighting system that covers weapons and groundwork, which many refer to as Ling-Lom, although it is believed that it is not the correct name for it. It could be said that Muay Thai is currently split into two parts; the ring sport and the Martial Art. The Martial Art contains many techniques that cannot be performed in a ring with gloves on.

Taekwondo is the national Martial Art of Korea. Its name includes three elements: tae (kicking), kwon (punching), and do (the way). Together they characterize the basic features of Taekwondo: powerful kicks and punches. The word "do" indicates that Taekwondo is not just a way of fighting; it is a way of tuning one's mind and muscles and a way of discipline.

The Martial Art of Taekwondo evolved in Korea over the course of many centuries. Since ancient times it has been regarded as either a deadly means of fighting, or as a graceful and exciting sport. In modern times, both aspects are prevalent. Many people now study Taekwondo to improve their health and to learn how to defend themselves. For others it is an exciting and enjoyable sport with international competitive opportunities.

Judo, or the "gentle way", is a modern Japanese martial art that emphasizes unarmed techniques of self-defense. It developed from the fighting art known as Jujitsu, which the Bushi warriors used for both armed and unarmed combat. Judo's founder Kano Jigoro (1860-1938), intended to create a martial art which would train the individual to subdue an opponent through fundamental physical techniques. Judo would differ from Jujitsu in that it was no longer about street fighting, but a mature form of physical education that helped a person "to understand and demonstrate the living laws of movement" as an integral part of every aspect of life. It was later that Judo moved further away from its original founder's and became an international, competitive sport with a dojo and competitions worldwide.

To an outsider, the Chinese Martial Art of T'ai Chi, properly known as T'ai Chi Chuan, seems like a dance. It's made up of slow, calm movements that are carefully balanced and exact, performed while in a state of deep relaxation. In fact, T'ai Chi is an ideal form of physical exercise, which promotes flexibility, strength, and stamina. The deep state of relaxation that this exercise promotes has enormous spiritual benefits; it can justly be called "meditation in motion."

The name T'ai Chi literally means "Supreme Axis". It refers to the invisible axis around which revolve the forces of yin and yang; the complementary powers which make up the unity of all things in the universe. T'ai Chi Chuan has been translated as "Supreme Ultimate Fist." In ancient Chinese, the term for "fist" is a generic reference to the Martial Arts.

Karate is probably the best known martial art in the West. Literally meaning "open hand", it is a system of blows and kicks that, when delivered with full force, can be used to perform spectacular feats. Everyone has seen Karate students break planks and even bricks with a single blow. All children know the famous Karate chop, delivered with the side of the hand. Countless books and films featuring karate are loved by people of all ages.

Karate may also be the martial art with the greatest number of misconceptions. It is sometimes thought to be an ancient martial art; the truth is that the principles of Karate were only formulated in the early years of this century. Karate is commonly thought to be a Japanese martial art. In fact, the great Karate schools are located in Japan, however, Karate actually originated on Okinawa, a small island south of Japan. It was developed by the local people from another martial art, known as Kempo, or Shaolin Temple Boxing, which was brought to their island from China. The word Karate consists of two Japanese characters: Kara, meaning "open" and Te, meaning "hand". This was a relatively new way of writing Karate, decided upon in 1932. Before that, Karate was written with another Japanese character, also pronounced kara, but meaning China. Thus it meant "Chinese hand."

Karate cannot be classified as either a Chinese or Japanese martial art. It is a composite of the two based on the particular needs of the farmers and fisherman of Okinawa. In this Karate is unique: Unlike the various styles of Kung Fu which were developed and passed on by monks or the many Japanese martial arts which were developed by the samurai class, Karate is a martial art developed by the working classes of Okinawa. Its' objective is efficiency in combat, and it has permitted itself few of the philosophical luxuries fostered by the other martial arts.

The Japanese Martial Art of Ninjutsu literally means "the art of the Ninja," or "the art of stealth." It is based on techniques developed over centuries by a secretive society of mercenary assassins who were active in Japan from the Heian Period (794-1185) onward. Ninjutsu is a complex Martial Art largely based on the tactical teachings of Sun Tzu's Art of War, the classic military text of ancient China. It combines open-handed and weapon fighting techniques with survival strategies in hostile environments, psychology, first aid, herbalism, swimming, espionage, disguise and even according to some accounts, telepathy and clairvoyance. Today most modern Ninja concentrate on the open-handed and weapon styles: there is much debate among scholars whether the Ninja of today are true Ninja.

Pentjak (defense), combined with Silat (fighting technique), is the national Martial Art of Indonesia. The movements of Pentjak Silat, like those of many Chinese Martial Arts, closely imitate the fighting techniques of animals such as the tiger, monkey, and bird. When practiced alone, Pentjak is a controlled form of exercise similar to the Japanese Kata. It utilizes circular flowing movements that are carefully sequenced to complement one another. Silat is a rigid fighting form characterized by its quick movements in no specific order. Together they create a Martial Art which is effective in both defensive and offensive fighting situations.

Iaido is perhaps the most specialized of the Japanese martial arts. It is the art of drawing a sword from its scabbard and striking an opponent in the same movement. The movement concludes with wiping the blood off the sword and returning it to its scabbard. Any other movement of the sword is not Iaido but Kendo, the Japanese art of fencing. The art of drawing the sword and immediately striking was once considered to be an essential skill for any soldier required to minimize his movements and obtain the maximum result. When practiced for use in actual warfare, it was called Iai-Jutsu. Today, however, this martial art has become a “Do”, or “way”; a means of achieving discipline through constant practice and concentration.

Kali, the national Martial Art of the Philippines, is a system of fighting with knives. The name comes from the Tagalog word "kalis", meaning a large dagger or knife. It is also the name of one of the knives mastered in this Martial Art. Although there are several other native Martial Arts in the Philippines, Kali is the one best known in the West. Kali is very similar to Pentjak Silat, the Martial Art of Indonesia. It differs from Pentjak Silat in that Kali is based entirely on the use of weapons.