Martial Arts Banned: Historical Periods of Suppression Across the Globe

Throughout history, martial arts have been more than just physical practices—they’ve served as cultural treasures, methods of self-defense, and symbols of resistance. Yet, in various countries and time periods, these disciplines faced suppression, often seen as threats to political authority or tools for rebellion. From imperial edicts in China to colonial restrictions in the Philippines, the banning of martial arts shaped their evolution and survival.

Martial arts have been forbidden in various countries during certain historical periods, often due to political, social, or cultural factors. Here are some notable examples.

China

Qing Dynasty (1644–1912):

• Martial arts were periodically restricted or suppressed, particularly after the Taiping Rebellion (1850–1864), as the ruling Qing government feared uprisings.
• During the early 20th century, martial arts practices faced further restrictions with the decline of traditional Chinese culture under modernization efforts.

Cultural Revolution (1966–1976):

• Martial arts, along with other traditional practices, were suppressed under Mao Zedong's regime as part of a campaign against "old customs and traditions."

Japan

Edo Period (1603–1868):

• The Tokugawa shogunate restricted the samurai class, which affected martial arts training.
• However, martial arts schools adapted by emphasizing their practice as physical and mental discipline rather than as combat training.

Post-World War II Occupation (1945–1952):

• Under the Allied Occupation, martial arts such as Kendo, Judo, and Karate and others were banned in schools and organizations due to concerns over their militaristic associations.
• This ban was gradually lifted as martial arts were reframed as sports and cultural practices.

Korea

Japanese Occupation (1910–1945):

• Traditional Korean martial arts, such as Taekkyon, were suppressed as part of Japan's effort to eradicate Korean culture.
• Practitioners often trained in secret or disguised their martial arts as Japanese styles.

Okinawa (Ryukyu Kingdom)

17th Century:

• After Okinawa was annexed by Japan's Satsuma clan in 1609, weapons were banned. This led to the development of unarmed combat techniques and the use of everyday tools as weapons (e.g., nunchaku and kama).

Europe

Medieval England (1190s–1400s):

• Weapons training and combat sports like wrestling and swordsmanship were occasionally restricted to prevent uprisings among commoners.

Colonial Periods:

• Colonizing powers often restricted local martial arts in colonized nations (e.g., the Philippines under Spanish rule and India under British rule) to suppress resistance and maintain control.

Philippines

Spanish Colonial Period (1521–1898):

• The Spanish authorities prohibited the practice of native martial arts like Kali, Eskrima, and Arnis, fearing their use in rebellions. Practitioners developed ways to train covertly, incorporating the arts into traditional dances or performances.

India

British Colonial Period (1858–1947):

• Traditional martial arts like Kalaripayattu and Silambam were discouraged or outright banned in certain regions, as the British sought to weaken local resistance movements.

Vietnam

French Colonial Period (1887–1954):

• Vietnamese martial arts were restricted as part of broader efforts to suppress Vietnamese culture and reduce the risk of armed rebellion. Martial arts like Vovinam became closely linked with nationalist movements, making them targets for suppression. Vovinam, with its emphasis on Vietnamese identity and self-reliance, was seen as particularly dangerous. By the 1940s, French authorities imposed strict bans on the public teaching and practice of Vovinam, along with other forms of martial arts.

Soviet Union

Regulation and Control:

• Martial arts deemed "foreign" or associated with nationalist movements, particularly those from Japan like Karate, Aikido, or Judo, were viewed with suspicion. These arts were sometimes restricted, especially during the height of Cold War tensions.
• The government promoted Soviet-created systems like Sambo (a martial art developed in the 1920s and 1930s) as part of military and sports training. Sambo aligned with Soviet ideology, emphasizing collective strength and discipline.

Cold War Tensions:

• During the 1950s and 1960s, martial arts from non-socialist countries were considered potentially subversive. Karate, for example, was restricted due to its association with Japan, a former enemy in World War II and later an ally of the United States.

Karate Ban (1970s):

• Karate gained popularity in the Soviet Union during the 1960s and 1970s but was officially banned in 1981. The government claimed it encouraged "hooliganism" and uncontrolled individualism, both seen as threats to Soviet values.
• Despite the ban, underground Karate schools thrived, with practitioners training in secret or under the guise of sports clubs.

Post-Ban Developments:

• By the late 1980s, with Perestroika and Glasnost reforms, restrictions eased, and previously banned martial arts like Karate were reintroduced and even celebrated as sports.

Continue reading: The Rise and Suppression of Karate in the Soviet Union