What’s the Difference Between Karate and Kung-fu?

Karate and kung-fu are sometimes used interchangeably. Even if they both originate from similar styles of martial arts, karate and kung-fu are fundamentally different, as we’ll see in this article.

As a whole, Karate and Kung-fu have different origins and use different techniques. Kung-fu rely on circular movements, wide range weapons and an offensive style, while Karate is a more linear and defensive martial art.

If you were looking for a short answer, you have it, but I have more for you in the following. Let’s start with the origins, as both don’t come from the same country.

Origins of Karate and Kung-Fu

We can learn a lot about a style of martial art by looking at where it originated. This will tell us some of the principles that underpin the teaching of the style. Both of these have a long history.

Karate started in the city of Okinawa in Japan. It’s believed that this can stretch back as far as the 1300s.

It started as a unique blend of local fighting styles and Chinese styles. Like modern karate, instructors wanted to avoid using physical violence to get out of conflicts. This led to the development of the “no first strike” principle, which still exists in the martial art today.

However, many of the most iconic elements of karate are relatively modern inventions. Things like the colored belt system only came to prominence during the 1920s. Interestingly, this sport was largely maligned until the start of the 1900s. The rise in popularity can be credited to a famous practitioner called Choki Motobu.

He had attended a series of shows that put European boxers against judo experts. The boxers repeatedly beat the Japanese-style judo (read the differences between karate and judo here). He became so embarrassed that he went into the ring and challenged the boxer. When the boxer accepted, Motobu beat him with a single blow. The Crown Prince saw this and invited him to teach karate. From there, the martial art has spread around the world.

On the other hand, kung fu is a Chinese martial art. This has a long history. It can be traced back to 403BC when it was used as a form of dance to train soldiers and help keep troop morale high.

By 210 BC, the type of kung fu that we know today was beginning to take shape. It was initially known as Hong Kong Fist. Over time, new skills and moves would be added.

Variations of Kung-Fu and Karate

Kung-fu and karate have changed and matured over time. As they did this, new variants were created. Each of these focused on a slightly different area. Some of the branches of karate include:

• Shotokan. This requires you to use both your upper and lower body. You will need to use straight lines as you are attacking. This is the most popular option.
• Goju-Ryu. This style teaches both hard and soft types of attack. The most famous move is the Crane Kick, which is featured in the movie “The Karate Kid”.
• Wado-Ryu. This type of karate focuses on teaching you to avoid the blows that your opponent is attempting to land. You will, though, be able to use offensive techniques like punches and kicks.

There are also several branches of kung fu. Some of the most common are:

• Shaolin Kung Fu. This is most commonly practiced by the Shaolin Monks. There are over a thousand forms, which makes it one of the most complex types of kung fu. It was inspired by the teaching of Zen in Buddhism.
• Wing Chun. This is a style that has been popularized by several high-profile practitioners. This includes IP Man, whose story was turned into a successful movie franchise. Perhaps most popular is his student, Bruce Lee.
• Tai Chi. This is one of the most popular forms of kung fu. In this case, there is a greater focus on controlled movements and controlling your breathing. This has made it a popular choice for those in the mindfulness movement.

Attacking Style: Karate vs Kung-fu

One of the most common questions people have when choosing a form of martial art is how effective it will be. Though many teachers emphasize the need to peacefully resolve a situation, this won’t always be possible. If this happens, both karate and kung fu will be able to help you defeat an opponent. The right one will depend on how you prefer to fight. However, they will have a slightly different attacking style.

Karate will be the more aggressive style. In this case, each movement will allow you to move closer to your opponent. There is a greater focus on linear movements, like striking and kicking. This will be better for those who prefer to go on the offensive.

On the other hand, kung-fu uses more circular movements. This will require you to take a more reactive approach, waiting to see what your opponent does. It also gives you a more flowing form of movement. This is best for people who like to take a more defensive approach to conflicts.

Use of Weapons in Karate and Kung-fu

Karate was partly taught in response to rulers taking away weapons, like swords. As a result, it tends to rely more heavily on strikes, rather than the use of weapons. According to some historians, farming equipment, like scythes, was used as weapons. Any weapons that are used will tend to be linear, like the strikes that are being made. Some examples of common karate weapons include:

• Nunchucks
• Tonfa, which is similar to a police baton
• Kama, which is like a smaller version of the sickle

While a karate master might learn how to use these weapons, they won’t be as proficient in this aspect as those using kung fu. Often, the focus on the training will be how to disarm an opponent who has brought a weapon into the fight.

On the other hand, kung fu will use a wide range of weapons. You will have more weapon variety in kung fu than you will in karate. Some of the most common are:

• Nunchucks
• Broadswords
• Tanto, which is long, thin knives
• Staffs or sticks
• Chains
• Dummy weapons, this can include something like a fake gun

Popularity of Karate and Kung-Fu

Both karate and kung fu will be popular types of martial arts. Between them, they have millions of students around the world.

However, karate will often have a slight edge. This is because of the rise in popularity of MMA. Many of the fighters in this system will learn karate. The strikes and kicks will do a lot of damage to an opponent.

Karate vs Kung-fu: Which is Stronger?

Which style will be most effective will often depend on the situation you are in. Karate has a greater focus on striking. This makes it an effective tool for use in the world of MMA. It also has fewer moves than kung fu, so you will be able to spend more time focusing on getting the right form. This is more useful if you are planning on grappling with your opponent.

On the other hand, kung fu will be better in a street fight. Practitioners will be trained in how to use weapons. Having more forms means that they will be better able to target their attack to suit their opponent. Plus, there are no rules in the world of kung fu. You can strike soft areas, like the throat or groin, if it will allow you to incapacitate your target. In the right hands, some forms of kung fu can be deadly.

Both of these styles can be highly effective and should provide you with the skills needed to stop an opponent from attacking you. In a normal fight against an unskilled opponent, both will be able to get you out of trouble.

Comparison Table

To help you better understand the differences between these forms, you can use this simple comparison table.

	Kung fu	Karate
Country of Origin	China	Japan
Type of movements	Circular	Linear
Attacking style	Offensive	Defensive
Use of Weapons	Wide range of weapons	More limited range, often employing straight weapons, like sticks
Type of uniform	Jackets and pants. The jackets can be a variety of colors. The belt system is used to show skill level. They do wear shoes when practicing.	White jacket and pants. The belt color will denote the fighter’s level of skill. Black is reserved for masters.  They don’t wear shoes.