Martial Arts

Lore & Background

The roots of modern MMA stretch back to ancient practices like China's Leitai and Greece's pankration, which combined wrestling and boxing with minimal restrictions. In the mid-19th century, French savate fighters tested their techniques against bare-knuckle boxers in France, while catch wrestling emerged in Europe by combining Indian pehlwani and English styles. By the early 1900s, early mixed-style contests known as merikan appeared in Japan, featuring points decisions or knockouts. Significant milestones include the 1852 match between Rambaud and Dickinson, which Rambaud won by kicking, and the 1951 judo vs. jiu-jitsu challenge match between Kimura and Gracie in Brazil. The 1976 Ali vs. Inoki exhibition in Japan later inspired the foundation of Shooto in 1985 and Pancrase in 1993.

Reader's Guide

Early contests often pitted practitioners of specific styles against one another with few rules, testing which martial art was most effective for real unarmed combat. Examples include the 1963 fights at Thailand's Lumpinee Boxing Stadium, where karatekas Tadashi Nakamura and Akio Fujihira defeated Muay Thai fighters by knockout, while Kenji Kurosaki lost to Dechachai via elbows. In North America, 'Judo' Gene Lebell fought boxer Milo Savage in a 1963 no-holds-barred match, winning by rear naked choke after a harai goshi; the crowd's rage led them to throw chairs at Lebell. Training involved testing techniques across disciplines, such as the 1940s Palama Settlement experiments where masters of kenpo, jujitsu, and boxing developed kajukenbo.

Did You Know?

• The term 'mixed martial arts' was first used in the early 1990s by the UFC itself.
• In ancient Greece, pankration fighters signaled submission by raising their index finger, as there were no rounds.
• The 1963 bout between karateka Tadashi Sawamura and Muay Thai fighter Rawee Dechachai ended with Sawamura losing by knockout.
• There is no widely-known canonical fact about a South Korean MMA organization called 'Pro-Catcher' being the first in South Korea.
• The 1957 fight between French savateur Jacques Cayron and Japanese karateka Hiroo Mochizuki ended when Cayron knocked out Mochizuki with a hook.

Terminology and Philosophical Distinctions

Japanese martial arts utilize specific terminology that often confuses modern observers due to shifting meanings over centuries. While the English phrase is commonly equated with budō, this term historically signified a comprehensive way of life prioritizing spiritual and moral growth alongside physical training. In contrast, bujutsu specifically denoted the practical application of tactics during actual combat situations. Bugei referred to refining these techniques for systematic teaching within formal environments. Today, these terms are frequently used interchangeably, yet their distinctions remain vital for understanding historical context. The modern interpretation focuses heavily on self-improvement and fulfillment, whereas older definitions were rooted in battlefield utility. Understanding this linguistic evolution helps clarify the philosophical underpinnings of different schools, separating those designed for war from those intended for personal development or sport in contemporary society.

Samurai Training and Weaponry

Within samurai families, children were expected to become warriors, dedicating their youth to mastering various combat disciplines. A complete warrior required proficiency with the sword, bow and arrow, spear, halberd, and eventually firearms. These skills were often practiced while mounted on horseback, emphasizing mobility in battle. Additionally, swimming and diving were mandatory components of their education. During the early medieval period, emphasis lay heavily on the bow and spear, but societal shifts during the Tokugawa era elevated the sword to a position of prestige as large-scale battles diminished. Japan’s relative isolation allowed weapons to evolve slowly, granting warriors time to study tools in depth compared to other cultures. As society became more stratified over time, martial specialization increased significantly. This rigorous childhood preparation ensured that every member of the warrior class possessed diverse combat capabilities suitable for the changing nature of warfare throughout feudal history.

Historical Classification Systems

These schools typify bujutsu, focusing on practical application for real-world battlefield scenarios rather than sport. Conversely, gendai budō encompasses arts developed after the Restoration, often sharing historical roots but shifting focus toward individual self-improvement, mental growth, or athletic competition. While some koryū schools preserve ancient practices despite the absence of modern war, others adapt over time. The distinction is not always clear-cut, as styles like jujutsu appear on both sides of the divide. This classification system helps organize thousands of individual schools by their fundamental purpose and historical timeline rather than listing every single style individually within encyclopedic records.

Unconventional Skills and Sumo

Beyond weaponry, samurai training included unique survival skills such as Suijutsu, or combat water techniques developed during the Sengoku period. Techniques included standing swimming and specific strokes designed for naval conflict. Additionally, Sumo is regarded by many as the national sport with origins dating back to the eighth century AD. Written records indicate a match occurred in 23 BC, highlighting its ancient roots. These diverse practices demonstrate that Japanese martial arts encompass vast differences in training tools and philosophy across numerous schools. Whether focusing on underwater combat or ritualized wrestling, these disciplines reflect the extraordinary variety found within the country’s warrior traditions throughout history.