Here you’ll find 14 Martial arts that start with H, organized from “Haidong Gumdo” to “Hyoho Niten Ichi-ryu”. These arts include traditional weapon systems, modern hybrids, and regional styles used for self-defense, sport, and cultural practice.
Martial arts that start with H are named systems of combat and training that share a common initial letter. Many have deep cultural roots, such as Haidong Gumdo’s link to Korean sword traditions.
Below you’ll find the table with Name, Origin, Focus, Founding period, and Notes.
Name: The martial art’s common name as you would search for it, helping you identify the style quickly.
Origin: The country or region where the style developed, so you can track historical and cultural background at a glance.
Focus: The primary emphasis—Striking, Grappling, or Hybrid—so you know the style’s main training and combat methods.
Founding period: An approximate year, decade, or century for the style’s origin, giving you temporal context for its development.
Notes: Brief remarks on variants, notable founders, or disputed details to help you interpret entries and follow up research.
Martial arts that start with H
| Name | Country/Region of Origin | Primary Focus | Founding period | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hapkido | South Korea | Hybrid | 1950s | Korean self-defense art combining joint locks, throws, kicks and pressure-point work; emphasizes circular motion and redirection. |
| Hwa Rang Do | Korea | Hybrid | 1960s | Comprehensive Korean system claiming ancient roots; teaches striking, grappling, weapons and meditative training, modernized by Joo Bang Lee. |
| Haidong Gumdo | South Korea | Weapons | 1980s | Modern Korean sword art focused on cutting techniques, solo forms and large-group drills, derived from traditional Korean swordplay. |
| Hakko-ryu | Japan | Grappling | Early 20th century | Japanese jujutsu school emphasizing pressure-point manipulation, joint locks and control techniques delivered with minimal force. |
| Hontai Yoshin-ryu | Japan | Grappling | 17th century | Classical koryū jujutsu known for throws, joint locks and battlefield-derived tactics preserved through formal lineage transmission. |
| Hozoin-ryu | Japan | Weapons | 16th century | Historic sōjutsu (spear) school famed for distinctive cross-shaped spear techniques developed by the monk Hōzōin In’ei. |
| Hojojutsu | Japan | Weapons | Edo period (17th century) | Traditional rope-tying restraint methods used by police and samurai for capture, transport and lawful confinement. |
| Hung Gar | China (Southern China) | Striking | 1800s | Southern Chinese kung fu emphasizing low stances, powerful hand techniques and animal-inspired forms; popularized by Wong Fei-hung. |
| Hsing-I | China | Striking | 17th century | Internal Chinese boxing (Xing Yi Quan) focused on linear, explosive power, five-element theory and practical close-range striking. |
| Huaquan | China | Striking | 17th–18th century | “Flower Fist” style from Henan region blending agile footwork, flexible strikes and both long- and close-range techniques. |
| Hyoho Niten Ichi-ryu | Japan | Weapons | Early 17th century | Sword school founded by Miyamoto Musashi teaching two-sword techniques, kenjutsu kata and classical samurai swordsmanship. |
| Hanbojutsu | Japan | Weapons | Edo period (17th century) | Short-staff (hanbō) techniques for self-defense and policing, including strikes, joint locks and takedowns. |
| Hung Fut | China | Hybrid | Early 20th century | Cantonese hybrid system combining Hung Gar power with Fut Gar and other methods, noted for practical close-range fighting. |
| Han Mu Do | Korea | Hybrid | 1980s | Modern Korean comprehensive art integrating striking, grappling and weapons, drawing on traditional Korean systems and contemporary curriculum. |