This list includes 6 martial arts that start with A, from “Aiki-jujutsu” to “Ashihara Karate”. They range from classical jujutsu schools to modern full-contact karate, used for self-defense, sport, and teaching.
Martial arts that start with A are styles, systems, or schools whose common names begin with the letter A. Many reflect regional traditions; for example, Aiki-jujutsu influenced later aikido and other jujutsu-derived practices.
Below you’ll find the table with Name, Origin, Focus, Founding period, and Notes.
Name: The martial art’s common name used in sources; you use it to identify and research the style.
Origin: Country or region where the style developed; you use it to understand cultural and historical context.
Focus: Primary emphasis such as Striking, Grappling or Hybrid; you use this to compare training and competition uses.
Founding period: Approximate year, decade or century when the style began; you use it to judge age and development.
Notes: Short clarifications like alternate names, notable founders, or disputed origins; you use them for quick context.
Martial arts that start with A
| Name | Country/Region of Origin | Founding (year/decade/century) | Primary Focus | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aikido | Japan | 1920s | Grappling | Modern Japanese art by Morihei Ueshiba, developed in the 1920s. Uses throws, pins and joint locks to neutralize attacks by blending and redirecting force; emphasizes harmony and non‑aggression. |
| Aiki-jujutsu | Japan | 19th century | Grappling | Classical Japanese grappling tradition emphasizing joint locks, throws and subtle aiki principles. Ancestor of modern aikido with formalized schools like Daitō‑ryū in the 19th century. |
| Arnis | Philippines | 16th century | Weapons | Filipino stick-and-blade fighting system documented from the 16th century. Focuses on weapon training, fluid weapon-to-empty-hand transitions, footwork and practical street application. |
| American Kenpo | United States | 1940s | Striking | Ed Parker’s Americanized Kenpo, developed in the 1940s in the U.S. Fast, linear striking with rapid counters and practical self‑defense principles drawing from karate and Chinese boxing. |
| Ashihara Karate | Japan | 1980s | Striking | Full-contact Japanese karate founded by Hideyuki Ashihara in the 1980s. Emphasizes realistic sparring, sabaki (off-line movement) and practical, efficient techniques for self-defense. |
| Araki-ryu | Japan | 17th century | Hybrid | Classical koryū school dating to the 17th century covering armed and unarmed methods—sword, spear and empty-hand—focused on battlefield practicality and traditional kata curricula. |