I have also trained in jujitsu, specifically a style called zankido ryu. Jujitsu is roughly translated as the 'gentle art', or even 'soft art'. Here, soft does not mean weak. Rather, it indicates that jujitsu does not rely on powerful strikes or strength (although strikes are a component of jujitsu), but instead depends on manipulating an opponent's motion and thereby turning their own attack against them.

Jujitsu is a martial art that specialises in locks, throws, breaks, chokes and paralysing or crippling blows. In contrast, karate is a very 'ballistic' martial art. Karate is excellent for fitness, flexibility, mental discipline, and coordination. Perhaps (in my opinion) most important, although usually overlooked, karate develops the correct attitude towards martial arts: an attitude of respect, open-mindedness and calmness. Hence training in karate tends to have the effect of reducing aggression in karate-ka (i.e. people who practice karate). While it may sound somewhat counter-intuitive, I have seen many a would-be 'thug' become completely mellowed out by a couple of years of karate training; dare I say it, become a better person? However, karate as taught in classes (i.e. karate-do) is perhaps not the best form of self defence, especially when it comes to a real 'up-and-close' fight situation.

Jujitsu is a martial art that comes under the general term of 'grappling'. If you've ever heard of 'Ultimate Fighting', you may or may not be surprised to know that it is the grapplers (i.e. people who train in jujitsu, aikido or variations of these) that always win, not the boxers, kickboxers, or karate experts. In contrast to karate, jujitsu is not a martial art that engenders respect or even a sense of fairplay. Jujitsu is all about brutal destruction, using as little energy as possible. This is perhaps while many martial artists look down their noses at jujitsu, particularly in the judo world. This is probably because Judo is a derivative: a less 'offensive' sport form that makes use of many jujitsu techniques. However judo, like karate, is practiced as a sport and thus does not encourage injury where it is unnecessary.

Still, you have to appreciate jujitsu for what it really is. It isn't a sport. It is, as I read once somewhere, "surgical violence in its purest form." Up close and on the ground, there is nothing more effective.

I also trained for a little while in Tae Kwon Do. While translated as 'The Way of Hand and Fist', this Korean martial art is much more heavily biased towards kicking than karate, and encourages more competition. However, I have always found Tae Kwon Do to be a 'sloppy' alternative. Many techniques are similar to those employed in karate, but seem to be in some way watered-down: i.e. less efficient and less direct. Of course, it would be slanderous to make such a general comment when comparing karate and Tae Kwon Do. The comments you find here are based on my own personal experience. Remember that the standard of a club typically reflects the club's instructor. It may simply be that I've seen a lot of Tae Kwon Do clubs with poor instructors. Don't let me put you off; try them both out and judge for yourself.

Of course, in my very early years as a martial artist, I was influenced far too much by movies. Here's a picture of me and my friend 'Dogdy Dave' (left) when we were eleven years old. Scary, that's over ten years ago. At the time I seemed to think I was a ninja! Fortunately, I did grow out of it. I guess I'm just getting old(er).