Martial Arts from Japan

The following people are considered by Pantheon to be the top 10 most legendary Japanese Martial Arts of all time. This list of famous Japanese Martial Arts is sorted by HPI (Historical Popularity Index), a metric that aggregates information on a biography's online popularity. Visit the rankings page to view the entire list of Japanese Martial Arts.

1. #1

   

   Kanō Jigorō

   1860 - 1938

   HPI 75.4653 langs

   Kanō Jigorō is most famous for being the founder of judo, which he created in 1882.

2. #2

   

   Gichin Funakoshi

   1868 - 1957

   HPI 74.4145 langs

   Gichin Funakoshi is most famous for being the founder of Shotokan karate.

3. #3

   

   Morihei Ueshiba

   1883 - 1969

   HPI 74.0754 langs

   Morihei Ueshiba is most famous for being the founder of aikido. He was a martial artist who studied under the founder of Daito-ryu...Read moreShow less

   Morihei Ueshiba is most famous for being the founder of aikido. He was a martial artist who studied under the founder of Daito-ryu Aikijujutsu, Takeda Sokaku.

4. #4

   

   Matsumura Sōkon

   1809 - 1899

   HPI 65.6017 langs

   Okinawan karateka

5. #5

   

   Ankō Itosu

   1831 - 1915

   HPI 63.5720 langs

   Okinawan karateka

6. #6

   

   Masatoshi Nakayama

   1913 - 1987

   HPI 63.3423 langs

   Japanese karateka

7. #7

   

   Kenwa Mabuni

   1889 - 1952

   HPI 62.6420 langs

   Okinawan karateka

8. #8

   

   Chōjun Miyagi

   1888 - 1953

   HPI 62.3019 langs

   Okinawan karateka

9. #9

   

   Hironori Ōtsuka

   1892 - 1982

   HPI 60.9316 langs

   martial artist (1892–1982)

10. #10

    

    Motobu Chōki

    1870 - 1944

    HPI 60.8417 langs

    Okinawan karateka