| For many people, especially those who are not | | | | karate styles such as goju which do have quite a lot |
| familiar with martial arts, the question often arises on | | | | of circular techniques similar to kung fu. Kempo styles |
| what the difference between karate and kung fu is. | | | | are considered a hybrid of Chinese kung fu and |
| Upon watching somebody doing martial arts, the | | | | Okinawan karate techniques with both circular as well |
| untrained eye will find it hard to tell whether that | | | | as linear techniques. There are also many more |
| person is doing karate or kung fu. Even those who | | | | different styles of kung fu compared to karate. |
| are beginning martial arts may sometimes be | | | | Martial arts weaponry is found in both kung fu and |
| confused about the different styles until further | | | | karate styles but different sets of weapons are |
| exposure to them will reveal just how different they | | | | utilized in each martial arts system. Much like the |
| really are. | | | | empty hand forms, the kata with karate weapons |
| Historically, the people living in the islands of Okinawa | | | | are also more linear compared to those with kung fu |
| just south of Japan got exposed to Chinese kung fu | | | | weapons which have more circular movements. As |
| martial arts due to the close proximity to China. Over | | | | expected, there is a lot more variety of different |
| time, the Okinawans and Japanese developed their | | | | Chinese kung fu weapons than found in the Japanese |
| own styles of martial arts now known as karate | | | | karate styles. |
| from the original influence of Chinese kung fu. | | | | Traditionally, practitioners of karate wear a white |
| Although both karate and kung fu utilize many similar | | | | uniform called a gi which features the overlapping |
| martial arts techniques, most kung fu styles will | | | | kimono-like top. Less traditional schools like those in |
| usually have more variety of techniques compared to | | | | North America will allow colored uniforms. A colored |
| karate systems. It's almost like the Japanese | | | | belt will be the finishing touch to the gi with of |
| streamlined the number of techniques from Chinese | | | | course the black belt for those at instructor level |
| systems to develop karate. The Japanese also | | | | ranking. Most of the time and especially inside a dojo |
| modified the way techniques are executed in karate | | | | studio, karate stylists will not wear any shoes while |
| as they became more linear compared to kung fu. | | | | training. Most kung fu stylists will wear a very |
| This is especially evident in the forms or katas | | | | different looking uniform. Kung fu uniforms usually |
| (traditional sequence of set moves) where karate | | | | consist of tops with Chinese 'frog-style' buttons |
| techniques are performed with crisp movements that | | | | rather than overlapping fronts like the karate gi top. |
| have distinct stop and go motions. | | | | The uniforms can be black or a variety of colors with |
| In kung fu forms, movements involve the use of | | | | often lighter fabrics such as satin and shoes are |
| more circular techniques, particularly with the hands. | | | | commonly worn. The modern acrobatic Chinese |
| These circular motions give kung fu forms a more | | | | martial arts of wushu can feature satin uniforms with |
| visually graceful look as techniques seem to flow | | | | many different bright colors. Many kung fu schools |
| from one to another. There is less stop and go with | | | | simply utilize t-shirts and baggy pants as uniforms. |
| most kung fu styles. This is why some martial artists, | | | | Satin colored sashes are often worn to signify rank |
| especially in North America, often refer to Chinese | | | | of students but this is actually more of a North |
| kung fu as 'soft' styles while karate and tae kwon do | | | | American style as most kung fu schools in Asia do |
| are 'hard' styles. This is not to say that hard styles | | | | not show rankings in uniforms. |
| such as karate or tae kwon do are more powerful | | | | Overall, there's more variety of techniques, styles, |
| martial arts than kung fu and other soft styles. The | | | | weapons and uniforms found in the Chinese kung fu |
| term 'soft' is a bit misleading because the power | | | | systems compared to karate. However, that is not |
| from circular kung fu moves is often hidden. Circular | | | | to say that one system or style of martial art is |
| moves can generate just as much power as linear | | | | superior to another. They are just different and to |
| ones found in hard styles. Most kung fu forms are | | | | the observer, it could come down to personal |
| also usually more complex and longer in duration than | | | | preference. Some prefer kung fu and some prefer |
| most karate forms. To most martial artists, a kung fu | | | | karate. Some ambitious martial artists who desire a |
| form will look much more exotic while a karate form | | | | full well rounded education practice both kung fu and |
| will look more straight forward in terms of martial | | | | karate. |
| arts techniques. Interestingly enough, there are | | | | |