Ten of The Worlds Most Popular Martial Arts and Their Origins

Martial arts are systems of combat, training and philosophy shaped by real-world needs. Many emerged in times of occupation or social upheaval, when people had to defend themselves with whatever was at hand. Below is a clear, reader-friendly tour of ten popular styles, what they emphasise, and how they began.

Quick note on terms: spellings vary by tradition and by translation. Where useful, alternative names are included in brackets.

Aikido

Japan, early 20th century

Often translated as “the way of harmonious spirit”, Aikido was developed by Morihei Ueshiba. It blends elements of kenjutsu (sword), sojutsu (spear) and classical jujutsu. The trademark is to blend with an attacker’s movement, redirecting force through joint locks, pins and off-balancing rather than meeting strength with strength.

Hapkido

Korea, mid-20th century

Hapkido (“the way of coordinated energy”) draws on Daitō-ryū Aiki-jujutsu and Korean kicking methods. It combines circular joint locks, throws and close-range strikes, plus traditional weapons such as the short stick, staff and nunchaku. The goal is to manage distance, take balance and finish with control. It is taught in various police and military contexts in Korea and abroad.

Muay Thai

Thailand, centuries old

Nicknamed the “art of eight limbs”, Muay Thai uses fists, elbows, knees and shins. Clinch work, relentless conditioning and powerful low kicks define the style. A famous Thai legend tells of Nai Khanom Tom, said to have defeated multiple opponents while a prisoner in Burma, helping to popularise national pride in the art. Today Muay Thai thrives as a ring sport and a core striking base for mixed martial arts.

Jujutsu (often written “Jiu Jitsu”)

Japan, medieval to early modern period

Classical jujutsu developed for armoured battlefields where strikes were blunted by armour. It emphasises throws, pins, chokes and joint locks to subdue an opponent. Modern offshoots include Judo and (via later evolution in Brazil) Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Jujutsu excels one-to-one at close range; against multiple attackers it becomes far harder to apply safely.

Karate

Okinawa (Japan), formalised in the 19th–20th centuries

Karate evolved in Okinawa under weapons restrictions, mixing indigenous self-defence with Chinese influences. It focuses on strikes with hands, feet, knees and elbows, plus blocks, footwork and kata (forms). Many modern schools add throws and clinch work, but the core remains decisive, well-timed striking.

Systema

Russia, 20th century

Systema means “the system” and prioritises breathing, relaxation, structure and free, adaptive movement over set techniques. Training often includes improvised weapon defence, multiple-attacker drills and scenario work. Owing to its open framework, practitioners frequently cross-train with more formal arts to round out skills.

Wing Chun

Southern China, Qing dynasty era

A close-range system famous for centre-line control, simultaneous attack and defence, trapping hands and economical footwork. Wooden dummy training and sensitivity drills like chi sao build reflexes at contact distance. Wing Chun’s compact structure has influenced later systems of practical self-defence.

Sambo

Soviet Union, 1920s

Created to improve hand-to-hand skills for military and law enforcement, Sambo stands for “self-defence without weapons”. It blends wrestling, judo and indigenous grappling. Sport Sambo focuses on throws and leg locks; Combat Sambo adds striking and weapon-defence training. It is powerful in clinch and ground transitions.

Kali (Arnis / Eskrima)

Philippines, centuries old

A weapons-led system using rattan sticks, blades and improvised tools, with empty-hand translations of the same angles and footwork. Folklore celebrates chieftain Lapu-Lapu, whose warriors resisted Spanish forces; whatever the legend’s embellishments, the islands’ blade culture shaped a pragmatic art that scales from single to multiple opponents.

Krav Maga

Israel, mid-20th century

Developed by Imi Lichtenfeld for real-world threats, Krav Maga combines boxing, Muay Thai, wrestling and jujutsu principles. It prioritises rapid threat neutralisation, targeting vulnerable areas and immediate escape. Weapon defences are taught with strict safety protocols and a focus on situational awareness.

Further reading

• Overview of martial arts traditions at Encyclopaedia Britannica.
• History and rules of Judo from the International Olympic Movement (Olympics.com).