Kung Fu vs. Karate

I've been thinking for a long time now what martial art to take and i've narrowed down my limited list to two martial arts : Karate and Kung Fu (traditional or shaolin) . Japanese(Okinawan) or Chinese art I don't know which one would be better for me. I'm kind of looking for one that will have great benefits to my body and challenging but not too hard for someone to learn an art that isn't primarily based on throw just striking and countering with good defenses. So i need you guys help with info to distinguish the better match for me. If anyone has any other martial art suggestions i would be willing to here your opinion on those also. Thnx

So...what kind of sensei are you Kenichi?

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Wolfgang says:

I could think of a million better things to do in Japan for a month besides jumping off of picnic tables. - x893

“	Originally Posted By: Kenichi-Sensei I've been thinking for a long time now what martial art to take and i've narrowed down my limited list to two martial arts : Karate and Kung Fu (traditional or shaolin) . Japanese(Okinawan) or Chinese art I don't know which one would be better for me. I'm kind of looking for one that will have great benefits to my body and challenging but not too hard for someone to learn an art that isn't primarily based on throw just striking and countering with good defenses. So i need you guys help with info to distinguish the better match for me. If anyone has any other martial art suggestions i would be willing to here your opinion on those also. Thnx	”

I don't think it matters much as long as you enjoy it and have a good teacher.

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Faith itself, compelled by the Holy Spirit, possesses an inner dynamism that necessitates deeper understanding. ~Thomas Weinandy O.F.M.

i suggest trying out as varied selection of skools as you can

this is what i did (and occasionally still do)

it will give you a better idea of what training regimes are like

and what sort of thing you have an affinity to

good luck

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grapple - looks like an apple tastes like a grape

If you have "narrowed down" to kung fu or karate… I think that you still have a lot more "narrowing down" to do before you can choose a style. That said, why don't you narrow down to the martial arts schools that are accessible to you and start your comparisons & considerations from these.

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"Battles are won by slaughter and maneuver. The greater the general, the more he contributes in maneuver, the less he demands in slaughter." - Sir Winston Churchill

“	Originally Posted By: Unkotare So...what kind of sensei are you Kenichi?	”

I'm not really a Sensei , Unkotare its just a name i wanted to be called thanks for the advice Does anyone happen to know a rough guess at what each training regime would entail???

its sooo varied

the best thing would be to turn up at a club and see

there are big variations even between skools of the same style

for example

me and FF both train wing chun kung fu

our styles even orginate from the same lineage of that style

yet there are some big differences in the way each of us are taught

by our respective teachers

what sorts of skools do you have in your area

maybe we could start from there?

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grapple - looks like an apple tastes like a grape

Best way to find out what the training regime is?

Go try a class out, simplest way to put it.
Most if not all schools allow a free class or two to let you decide, try those out you're interested in and go from there

I agree with MH. In fact, if a school doesnt allow you a free session or 2, I'd be leary. It's like buying a car without taking a test drive or even sitting in the driver's seat. Or pre-paying for dinner and a movie prior to a blind date. Or, whatever, just take a free class somewhere.

-Wu

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Man for Sale: House-broken, current vaccinations, almost never humps your leg.

So what would be the equivalent to Uechi-ryu karate in chinese martial arts? Would it be Sanda or Sanshou?

I'm not familiar with that style of Karate, though in all honesty except with some basic principles in Chinese Kenpo, they probably will not match up all that much. Different regions, fighting principles, philosophies and ideas make for different ways of fighting.

If you're that interested in karate, then sounds like that's what you're interested in practicing, I'd say to start looking for those types of classes.....

re : Uechi-ryu karate


there is quite some debate as to what exactly uechi's teachers taught

but the concensus is that he got it from the fukien area in china

so maybe one of those styles would be simmilar

maybe have a look at some fukien white crane

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grapple - looks like an apple tastes like a grape

It resembles Long Ying kinda & also kinda Fukien Tiger. I don't see so much White Crane in it, although it looks to be there too. I dunno exactly.

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Terrorists aren't overseas. They're at the gas pump.
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I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand. -- Kung Fu-tzu (Confucius)

“	Originally Posted By: Kenichi-Sensei I'm not really a Sensei , Unkotare its just a name i wanted to be called thanks for the advice Does anyone happen to know a rough guess at what each training regime would entail???	”

Then why call yourself that?

I applaud your honestly, and admitedly, there's no proof anyone who claims to have titles or skills on the 'net can back it up... until you touch hands with them, that is... But here you are, clearly a beginner, so what's the idea behind naming yourself with that title, if it isn't yours?

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What is the sound of one hand clawing? -- chanh buddhist proverb

Another question might be why to call himself Kenichi if that is not his name?

But, neither hurts anyone so whatever

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Wolfgang says:

I could think of a million better things to do in Japan for a month besides jumping off of picnic tables. - x893