Japanese Martial Arts?

I want to learn martial arts and preferably japanese martial arts could someone tell me what they think would be a good one that will keep me interested and maybe explain alittle bit about it. thanks ^_^

Japanese Martial Arts?
So, you want to study budo or bujutsu....Japanese...Hmmm? Obviously the first question is why Japanese, but assuming you mean what you say....then I'd like to know where you are located in order to refer you appropriately? Until I know more I have to assume you are at the absolute ground state. Here's a short list depending on what your looking for:





discipline and extrinsic power......Karate, Judo, etc...


nobility and competitiveness......Kendo, Naginata, etc...


etiquette and self defense.....Jujutsu, Kenpo, etc....


spirituality and intrinsic power.....Aikido, Kyudo, etc...


tantra and dexterity.....Ninjutsu, etc....





Actually, many of the above overlap, but it is fair to say these are simplistically correct in emphasis. If your seeking a more penetrating Japanese cultural experience I need to know more about you.
Reply:Find one that's geared toward actual combat defense, whether Japanese or not. Most of them lack a lot, IMO. It should include grappling as well as punching techniques.





You might want to check into Jiu Jitsu along with others.
Reply:GOJU RYU being more practical and less "sporty"


SHOTO KAN hard powerful dynamic


All others fall somewhere within those 2 descriptions as they were the main influences in JAPANESE KARATE.





Of course any one of them and it's direction is going to be what the instructor thinks it should be irregardless of the way he was taught
Reply:Aikido has been good for my son. It focuses not on punches and kicks but on using your opponents power against them.








http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aikido





http://www.nippon-kan.org/index1.html
Reply:What is your ultimate goal with this/??? do you want to hurt ppl,or defend yourself ,or use it for discipline, exersise, etc??? depends on how you want to use it.....check out different dojo's to find the one that fits your needs......good luck
Reply:Judo (柔道, jūdō?), meaning "gentle way", is a modern Japanese martial art (gendai budō) and combat sport, that originated in Japan in the late nineteenth century. Its most prominent feature is its competitive element, where the object is to either throw one's opponent to the ground, immobilize or otherwise subdue one's opponent with a grappling manoeuvre, or force an opponent to submit by joint locking the elbow or applying a choke. Kicks, punches, and thrusts are present in Judo, but only in pre-arranged forms (Kata) and are not allowed in judo competition or free practice (randori).





Ultimately, the philosophy and subsequent pedagogy developed for judo became the model for almost all modern Japanese martial arts that developed from "traditional" schools (koryū). Practitioners of judo are called jūdōka.





I enjoy traditional Tae Kwon Do which focuses on self defense. I have recently become interested in the Isreali Krav Maga. Krav Maga is the official self defense system of the Israeli Defense Forces, and has been taught to hundreds of law enforcement agencies and thousands of civilians


in the United States.





Krav Maga is a simple, effective self


defense system that emphasizes instinctive movements, practical techniques, and realistic training scenarios.
Reply:I think we would be able to help you better if you let us know what you wanted out of martial arts. Ie - is if for health, self defense etc...





Why must the art be Japanese?





There are many systems with different goals.





Do you enjoy wrestling? Go for Judo or Brazilian Jiujitzu.





Do you want to learn about motion, using your opponents force against them and self defense? Go for Aikido.





Do you want kicking, punching and self defense techniques? Go for an Okinawan art Shoshin-ryu, kyokushin or shotokan.
Reply:What about Karate?


I see a lot of great K-1 fighters using this style. For example, Andy Hug, Francisco Filho, Nicholas Pettas, Semmy Schilt, Glaube Feitosa, etc.


Karate was first created in order to kill people with less strikes as possible. Some of the big powerful movement comes from there. Although now a days, the intention of the Karate fighters is to beat up the opponent instead of killing. Most styles of Karate back in the past used to train their fists and finger tips like crazy. Being able to stab people right through the stomach with their hands. Or completely shatter and break open someone's skull with their fists. Each technique in Karate was intended to hurt or kill the opponent. A lot of the training methods and certain techniques were abolished after the war though. I heard Karate in place called Okinawa(some place in Japan) still has the traditional training methods. A lot of the ones in America are more like sports and self-defense though.





High kick:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnh9QDMtJ...





Punch:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nJsti-Zz...





Okinawa Karate:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pv5jtLcRr...
Reply:If you are sure you want a Japanese art, the source of judo and aikido is aikijujutsu (Daito Ryu and its derivatives are widespread). Find a good, legitimate aikijujutsu school...if you can, and visit it.





Visit the judo and aikido schools too. You might find one that appeals to you.
Reply:Aikido or Judo, both are japanese.
Reply:Honestly, it doesn't matter what any of us say on here. You could go to the discpline suggested and find out you hate the instructor/s, school, students, or can't afford the classes.





It really doesn't matter what martial art you take up, all will teach you something valuable and any true art will cover the culture, history, philosophies and concepts of the origins of the art.





The most important thing is not the style/discipline, it's finding an instructor/s you trust, a group of students you actually look forward to training with, and a program that fits within your financial and schedule limitations.





Check out the schools in your are - irrespective of the style. Talk with the instructor/s and students. Check out a few classes. You'll know which one is right for you.





Ken C


9th Dan HapMoosaKi-Do


8th Dan TaeKwon-Do


7th Dan YongChul-Do
Reply:Learn Shotokan Karate. I have started learning it since 1972 and that the only martial art that I have learned. No need to learn other types when you friends learn them. If you practise it well, I suppose any martial art is good. Don't learn little bit here and a little there. I have never involve in any fight all this 35 years, after all everybody know that I know Karate and they would never anger me to an extent that a fight is necessary. Beside that, after learning karate for so long, you fear that you kick and punch might kill someone, then you will be in trouble with the authorities.