This page lists 13 Martial arts that start with D, from “Daito-ryu Aiki-jujutsu” to “Dutch kickboxing”. They include traditional schools and modern combat sports used for self-defense, training, competition, and cultural practice.

Martial arts that start with D are a diverse group of styles from many regions and traditions. For example, Daito-ryu Aiki-jujutsu influenced Aikido’s development in early twentieth-century Japan.

Below you’ll find the table with Name, Origin, Focus and Founding period.

Name: The official style name helps you quickly identify each entry and search further for schools or historical information.

Origin: The country or region of origin shows cultural context and helps you compare geographic traditions and lineages.

Focus: A simple label (Striking, Grappling, Hybrid) shows each art’s primary emphasis and what you can expect training-wise.

Founding period: Gives a year, decade, or century to help you place the style historically and track its development.

Martial arts that start with D

NameOrigin (country)Primary FocusFounded
Daito-ryu Aiki-jujutsuJapanGrapplingc. 19th century
Danzan-ryuUnited StatesGrappling1925
DambeNigeriaStriking19th century
DefenduUnited KingdomHybrid1930s
DefendoCanadaHybrid1940s
DestrezaSpainWeapons16th century
Doce ParesPhilippinesWeapons1932
Drunken boxing (Zui Quan)ChinaStrikingc. 17th century
Dutch kickboxingNetherlandsStriking1970s
DumogPhilippinesGrapplingc. 16th century
DegenfechtenGermanyWeapons16th century
Drunken MonkeyChinaStrikingc. 19th century
De Campo Uno-Dos-TresPhilippinesWeapons1950s

Descriptions

Daito-ryu Aiki-jujutsu
Traditional Japanese aikijutsu emphasizing joint locks, throws and blending with an attacker’s energy; Sokaku Takeda popularized it and it heavily influenced modern aikido.
Danzan-ryu
Japanese–American jujutsu system founded by Henry Okazaki in Hawaii, mixing jujutsu, judo and healing arts; known for a broad grappling curriculum and practical self-defense.
Dambe
Hausa boxing tradition featuring a wrapped-striking hand and nimble footwork; ceremonial origins and modern competitive bouts across West Africa.
Defendu
Close-quarters combatives developed by William E. Fairbairn in Shanghai—practical, stripped-down techniques for police and military, a direct precursor to many modern self-defense systems.
Defendo
Bill Underwood’s civilian adaptation of Fairbairn’s Defendu used during WWII and later by law enforcement; focuses on simple, effective self-defense and restraint methods.
Destreza
“La Destreza” is the Spanish Renaissance school of rapier fencing, emphasizing geometry, footwork and scientific principles codified by Jerónimo Sánchez de Carranza.
Doce Pares
Major Cebuano Eskrima/Arnis system teaching stick, blade and empty-hand tactics; founded to preserve Filipino weapon arts and known for both tradition and competition.
Drunken boxing (Zui Quan)
Kung fu style that mimics a sway-and-stumble gait to deceive opponents; flashy, acrobatic striking with deceptive timing rooted in Chinese performance and combat traditions.
Dutch kickboxing
Modern striking approach blending Muay Thai, Kyokushin karate and Western boxing; famous for aggressive combinations and producing elite international kickboxers.
Dumog
Filipino clinch, wrestling and balance-disruption techniques used within Arnis/Kali; practical takedowns and controls shaped by street and battlefield realities.
Degenfechten
Historical German rapier and short-sword fencing tradition (literally “sword fighting”), preserved in Renaissance fight manuals and revived by modern historical fencing practitioners.
Drunken Monkey
A theatrical kung fu subtype combining monkey-like agility with “drunken” feints; emphasizes low stances, unpredictable strikes and deceptive movement, often seen in southern styles.
De Campo Uno-Dos-Tres
Filipino stick-and-blade system known for direct, single-line strikes and powerful counters; developed post-war to emphasize speed, efficiency and practical combat drills.
If you think there is a missing term, let us know using the contact form.