Tired of people calling Judo - Karate?

Question

I have nothing against Karate, I enjoyed it when I was young, however I think that it's about time that Judo (and any other martial art) got noticed (amoung the average/general audience).

Wouldn't it be great if a child saw a Judo display (like the one I helped at the weekend with) and his mother said 'look, they are doing Judo', instead of 'oh look see that's called Karate'.

I believe that Judo has more and more potential to be noticed by a greater varied audience out there.

Just a thought that I would like to share, i'm only one person though and would have no idea how to really promote Judo to a high level, raise awareness (I can do that in a local area, but I am no business man).

What are your views? Think it's about time the art of Judo got its recognition?

Plus the more people are aware (and even interested) in Judo, the more fighters we may have in the future - thus creating more opportunities for Judo to be truly realized.

Answer 1

judo is karate. karate is empty hand fighting.

i heard this argument once from a couple of high ranking people...they summarized. you must realize...karate is not just an art/sport...it's also a word. two words actually that mean ''empty hand'' ...judo does not use weapons, thus...can be correctly referred to as karate. even if you are doing filipino eskrima without sticks or blades...you are doing karate. ..ie fighting with empty hands.

likewise tkd's predecessor (arguably) tang soo do (chinese hand way) is actually the korean pronunciation of karate do. (kara originally meant china rather than empty) ...and arguably tang soo do, and a few other arts, were all melded and blah blah woof woof...now we have a bunch of different arts that are collectively known as taekwondo. (ever wonder why there is both mu duk kwan tang soo do, and mu duk kwan tkd?...thats why) ...one basis of these arts from hwang kee, was a book by gichin funakoshi about...ironically...shotokan karate.

also general choi hong hi (often credited with founding tkd) was a student of shotokan karate (no tkd is most certainly not 2000 years old, and neither is tang soo do, or soo bahk do) so...taekwondo IS karate as well. from a certain point of view...as well as literally.

there are alot of arguments about what is "kempo"...the WORD kempo means fist method. in china kempo is chuan fa, in the filipines and indonesia it is called kuntao...they all mean the same thing. regardless of how similar or different the arts are.

any martial art COULD be called kempo, and alot of them have been over the years. in okinawa kempo was a term to denote martial arts from china or with chinese influence.

so you see, karate is just a term. a term that not only describes a specific art...but also the "act" of  empty hand fighting.

and let's face it...alot of people (even some martial artists) couldn't tell you the difference between judo or karate. we gave a jujutsu demo once and an old guy asked me if we were doing taekwondo ...so everyone says "krotty"

it may seem far fetched, but this is how asians often look at things. go to okinawa and there is no bickering about styles and history...just training and cooperation among practicionrs of karate. so ..to them...judo is karate. tkd is karate. they just call karate judo or jujutsu in japan (also karate) ...but in the filipines they call it silat, or kuntao...in korea karate is called tkd, or tsd. etc etc.

Answer 2

It's not just Judo- my dad constantly refers to Ju-Jitsu as my "Karate class."

Although to be fair, there are at least strikes in Ju-Jitsu, so it's similar to Karate in that respect.

I personally think Judo is an excellent art and should be taught in schools as part of both physical and mental education. Children would benefit greatly, and Judo would get the recognition it deserves.

Answer 3

That will never be gotten rid of as there will continue to be people out there ignorant of the differences. Its not their intention to be rude they just don't know. Karate and Kung fu are both general terms and are the most commonly heard ones especially thanks to the movie industry.

---------Karate = empty hand = all empty hand styles, just a term

---------Kung Fu = accomplishing through hard work = anything one works hard at

Shurite Karate Jitsu = The Shuri Art of the  Empty Hand = specific style

Tae Kwon Do = Foot Fist Way = specific style

Chang Quan = Long Fist/extended fist Boxing = specific style

Judo = Gentle Way = specific style

So you can see that the two phrases at the top would encompass the entire martial world. Even though, I would agree that it would be nice for people to not make assumptions about what different styles we study, I don't think it's a big enough issue to raise up in arms.

When people find out about me they continuously say TKD or Judo or Jujutsu. I correct them respectfully, and give a concise history lesson so they will be somewhat learned.

Answer 4

who cares?does it really matter?get over it!

Answer 5

Get used to it. Try being a world class wrestler and having everyone think you get baby oiled up and talk smack before you start a match.

Answer 6

I find it kind of annoying that people are shocked when they find out you can't punch or kick in judo. And then they think 'well what good is it?'...

I just tell them Judo is like wrestling with submissions. Its easy and quick.

Answer 7

I can understand your frustration, but to the general public, it's really no big deal.  

I think Judo should really promote the fact that it is and has been an official Olympic sport for a long time, much longer than Tae Kwon Do.  

However, the US has produced multiple gold medalists in Tae Kwon Do and I don't think Judo has.  

You see Tae Kwon Do gold medalists and competitors on Jay Leno, on Minute Maid Orange Juice, on Coke bottles, in AT&T commercials, etc.  But I havent seen any Judo guys/gals profiled in any mainstream outlets.

You also see very few Judo specific martial arts schools.  It's usually Judo and 1 or 2 other martial arts.  Even our school has some Judo aspects, but not in a competitive nature.  

I think martial arts can benefit all people, and I think Judo is a good one.  I wouldnt be too concerned if some mainstreamers thought it was karate or kung fu.  

James

Answer 8

well, i know superkarate and i always do the Judo Chop so i think its best to combine the too in an effort to mix martial arts up a bit..

Answer 9

I'm tired of people calling Tae Kwon Do "karate"!!!

Actually, it's not just Judo. Any kind of martial arts can be mistaken for, and referred to as 'karate' ... even if they are NOTHING like karate.

Personally, I don't think it's that big a deal. If it bothers you that much, just politely tell them, "It's actually called (insert martial arts name here)." And leave it at that.

If it helps, I think with the rising popularity of UFC and MMA fighting, more and more people will begin to realize that there is indeed a difference between various martial arts and that no, they are not all called "karate."

Answer 10

well judo isnt that popular but there are  quit a few judo fights in ufc but its more popular out in asia