Think you know your Martial Arts? This Halloween, we’re creeping into the darker corners of Martial Arts history to uncover strange stories, mysterious traditions and myths that just refuse to die.
Some are frighteningly true. Others belong firmly in the graveyard of Martial Arts myths.
Before revealing each answer, have a guess… FACT or FICTION? 👻
1. Ninja Really Did Use Disguises
Forget the head to toe black outfit for a moment. Historical shinobi, commonly known as ninja, were associated with activities such as intelligence gathering, infiltration and deception. That meant blending in could be far more useful than looking like a mysterious warrior.
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👻 FACT!
Historical accounts and traditions associated with shinobi describe the use of disguises and impersonation. Depending on the situation, appearing to be an ordinary traveller, merchant or other member of society could help someone move around without attracting attention.
Perhaps slightly less dramatic than disappearing in a cloud of smoke but, much more practical.
2. A Black Belt Means You’ve Mastered Your Martial Art
You’ve survived years of training and finally earned the legendary black belt. Surely that means you’ve completed Martial Arts?
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💀 FICTION!
For many Martial Artists, earning a black belt isn’t the end at all. It can represent a strong understanding of the fundamentals and the beginning of a much longer stage of development. Many Martial Arts also have multiple dan grades beyond the first black belt.
So don’t hang up your gi just yet… Your journey may only be beginning.
3. Judo Matches Can Be Won With a Single Throw
One throw and it’s all over. Sounds suspiciously like something from a Martial Arts movie, doesn’t it?
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👻 FACT!
In Judo, a successful ippon can immediately end the contest. An ippon can be awarded for certain throws as well as particular groundwork situations, meaning a match really can finish remarkably quickly. Blink and you might miss it!
4. Martial Artists Never Wash Their Belts Because the Dirt Eventually Turns Them Black
Here’s one of the most famous Martial Arts legends. A beginner starts with a white belt. After years of sweat, dirt and training, it supposedly becomes darker and darker until eventually… BLACK BELT.
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💀 FICTION!
It’s a wonderfully spooky story but, it’s not the historical origin of the black belt. Modern Martial Arts ranking systems deliberately use belts to represent different grades. So unfortunately, leaving your white belt festering at the bottom of your kit bag won’t turn you into a black belt. It might create something frightening, though.
5. One of the Longest Boxing Matches Lasted More Than Seven Hours
Seven hours of boxing? Surely no human could survive that.
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👻 FACT!
One famous 19th century bout between Andy Bowen and Jack Burke reportedly lasted 110 rounds and more than seven hours before ending without a winner.
Modern boxing rules are very different so, you’re not going to find today’s fighters preparing for 110 round contests. Probably for the best.
6. Martial Artists Can Be Registered as “Deadly Weapons”
It’s a classic movie line. “My hands are registered as deadly weapons.” Sounds terrifying.
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💀 FICTION!
There isn’t a general system where earning a black belt means you have to register your hands as weapons. Martial Arts skill can of course cause injury if misused which, is exactly why responsible training places such importance on control, safety and appropriate use of techniques. But, you won’t receive a haunted certificate declaring your fists officially lethal.
7. Karate Was Once Practiced in Secret
Imagine training under the cover of darkness, carefully keeping your techniques hidden from outsiders. Halloween story?
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👻 BROADLY FACT!
Karate developed in Okinawa from local fighting traditions influenced by Chinese Martial Arts practices. Some parts of its early history are difficult to document precisely, and stories about secrecy are sometimes exaggerated. However, Martial Arts instruction in Okinawa was historically much less public and formalised than the large modern dojo classes we’re familiar with today, and techniques could be taught privately.
The mysterious history surrounding early Karate is one reason so many legends have grown around it.
8. Breaking Boards Proves How Dangerous Someone’s Punch Is
We’ve all seen it. A Martial Artist lines up a strike… CRACK! The board splits in two. They must have terrifying punching power, right?
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💀 FICTION!
Breaking can demonstrate qualities such as technique, speed, accuracy, commitment and power, depending on the material and method being used. But, breaking an object isn’t a simple measurement of how effective someone would be against another person. Humans, thankfully, aren’t wooden boards.
9. Ninja Always Wore Black
Close your eyes and picture a ninja. We’re guessing you’ve imagined an entirely black outfit with only the eyes visible.
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💀 FICTION!
The familiar all black ninja is strongly associated with later theatrical and popular culture imagery. For someone involved in espionage or infiltration, walking around dressed like the world’s most obvious ninja wouldn’t exactly be ideal. Historically, disguises and ordinary clothing could be far more useful.
10. There Are More Than 60 Recognised Judo Throws
Sixty different ways to send someone flying through the air?
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👻 FACT!
Judo contains an extensive range of throwing techniques, collectively known as nage-waza, alongside groundwork techniques.
The Kodokan has officially classified dozens of throwing techniques, demonstrating just how much there is to learn beyond the handful of throws a beginner might encounter first. So, if you thought you’d mastered Judo after learning a couple… There are plenty more waiting in the shadows.
How Did You Do?
So, how many Martial Arts myths did you manage to unmask?
8–10 correct: 🥋 Martial Arts Master
5–7 correct: 🎃 Dojo Detective
2–4 correct: 👻 Spooked by the Myths
0–1 correct: 🧟 You may have spent too long watching Martial Arts movies…
Martial Arts has centuries of history behind it so, it’s hardly surprising that fact and fiction occasionally become tangled together. And sometimes, the true stories are even stranger than the myths.
From everyone at Blitz, have a frighteningly good Halloween and remember, if you hear a strange noise coming from your kit bag… it may finally be time to wash your training gear!!
