Boys' Uniforms: Sports and Athletics--Martial Arts


Figure 1.--These Russian boys are peformig a karate exercise. Notice the standard white uniforms and colored belts denoting skill levels. The photograph is undated, but we would guess was taken about 2000.

The martial arts are fighting systems with strictly codified practices including cermonial ritual. They developed in China and other Asian countries as training for combat. Most of the martial arts are combat systems without guns and other modern weapons. Many have ancient origins. Modern interest in the martial arts stems from sport, fitness, and self-defense. Other benefits are more character oriented, including meditation), discipline, and self-confidence. The martial arts are an extremely popular activity for children. It is primarily a boy's activity, but girls also participate. It is has been popular in America since the 1960s. I am unsure as to just popularized it in America. Increased immigration from Asian countries may have been a factor. Some styles of martial arts were developed by Japanese and Korean immigrants in Hawaii even before the islands became a part of the United States. I'm less sure about Europe. We have noted children doing martial arts in Russia, but are unsure just how popular it is. We note boys martial arts in Japan and Korea, but are unsure about other Asian countries. The martial arts originated in China and have been practiced there for more than 2,000-year years. I am sure about the modern situation in China, especially how the Communist regimed viewed it. There are several disciplins of martial arts. The most important are aikido, judo, karate, and tai-kwan-do, but there are many others. The subject of martial arts disciplines is quite complivated. Not only are there many different disciplines, but there are different styles of these disciplines. We are unsure at this time just what the differences are between the diciplines. As far as we know, the different disciplines all wear the same costume--a kind of white pajama outfit, but this varies somewhat as to the discipline. Our information is limited. Hopefully HBC readers will know more.

Definition

The martial arts are fighting systems with strictly codified practices including cermonial ritual. They developed in China and other Asian countries as training for combat. Most of the martial arts are combat systems without guns and other modern weapons.

Origins

Many martial arts have ancient origins.

Modern Interests

Modern interest in the martial arts stems from sport, fitness, and self-defense. Other benefits are more character oriented, including meditation, discipline, and self-confidence.

Children

The martial arts are an extremely popular activity for children. It is primarily a boy's activity, but girls also participate.

Countries

The martial arts have been popular in America since the 1960s. I am unsure as to just popularized it in America. Increased immigration from Asian countries may have been a factor. Some styles of martial arts were developed by Japanese and Korean immigrants in Hawaii even before the islands became a part of the United States. I'm less sure about Europe. We have noted children doing martial arts in Russia, but are unsure just how popular it is. We note boys martial arts in Japan and Korea, but are unsure about other Asian countries. The martial arts originated in China and have been practiced there for more than 2,000-year years. I am sure about the modern situation in China, especially how the Communist regimed viewed it.

Disciplines

There are several disciplins of martial arts. The most important are aikido, judo, karate, and tai-kwan-do, but there are many others. The subject of martial arts disciplines is quite complivated. Not only are there many different disciplines, but there are different styles of these disciplines. We are unsure at this time just what the differences are between the various diciplines. Some have origins in specific countries.

Costuming

As far as we know, the different disciplines all wear the same costume--a kind of white pajama outfit. Notice the white outfits and colored belts here denoting skill levels (figure 1). The outfits and belts vary somewhat as to the discipline. Aikido seems to have a destinctive long-skirted costume. The martial arts are always done barefoot.







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Created: 4:21 AM 9/9/2004
Last updated: 1:49 AM 11/13/2005