Aikido is a modern non-competitive martial art that is based on classic Japanese Budo.

Aikido was created by Morihei Ueshiba (1883 1969), who is more commonly referred to as O-Sensei, which means Great Teacher.

Many of the physical techniques in Aikido are derived from classic jujitsu (specifically, Daito-ryu jujitsu).

The physical techniques of Aikido are designed to harmonize with an attacker or assailant. The majority of techniques utilized in Aikido include throws and pins which are designed to dissipate and unbalance the force of an oncoming attack.

Physical training accounts for only a portion of a practitioner's study of Aikido. The three characters that compose the name Aikido (Ai, which means harmony or unifying; Ki, which means energy or spirit; and Do, which means way or path) come together to form the meaning Way of Harmonizing Energy or Way of Harmonious Spirit.

The higher aims of Aikido do not include means to fell an opponent. Rather, the higher aims of Aikido focus on self-cultivation/self-realization and conflict resolution through peaceful and harmonious means. The preservation of life and harmony are of paramount importance in Aikido. Practitioners of Aikido learn to work cooperatively for mutual development rather than emphasizing physicality in a challenging manner with each other. The power of an offered attack is applied gradually, adjusting accordingly with the skill levels of the practitioners involved. Aikido techniques do not focus on inflicting pain or attacking joints, as every person has a varying level of pain tolerance and flexibility. The techniques of Aikido focus on disrupting the center of balance of an attacker, as an unbalanced attacker does not pose a dangerous threat.

Tang Soo Do can be translated as "The Way of the Tang (or Chinese) Hand" (Tang Dynasty, 618-907AD). Tang Soo Do is a Korean system of self-defense that comprises a wide assortment of hand and foot techniques for blocking, kicking and punching. These techniques are derived from Chinese Chuan Fa, Korean Soo Bahk, and Tae Kyon, as well as the traditional Okinawan Naha-te, Shuri-te, and Japanese Shoto-kan Karate.
Tang Soo Do was developed in the middle of the 20th century on September 9, 1945 by Grandmaster Hwang Kee based on the sum total of all his martial arts experience and expertise. Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan, (referred to as Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan since June 30, 1960) was founded on November 9, 1945 in Seoul, South Korea. The Moo Duk Kwan translates as Martial Virtue School, which represents Grandmaster Hwang Kees personal ideas and refinements of ancient arts of self-defense, as well as emphasizing spiritual, intellectual, and physical discipline for personal and social betterment.

Tang Soo Do is often referred to as Korean Karate due to its similarity to Japanese and Okinawan Karate, as well as sharing a majority of the classic Hyung (Kata in Japanese) with these styles; most notably Shoto-kan Karate. Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan can be deduced as a philosophical and scientific study of modern (1945-1960) Korean Karate of the previous century.

Although many people assume Tang Soo Do resembles Tae Kwon Do, this is not the case. Tang Soo Do practice differs notably in that Tang Soo Dos emphasis is strongly based on mental and spiritual development rather than sportive competition. Although both Tae Kwon Do and Tang Soo Do utilize techniques involving both traditional linear kicking and punching, as well as circular hand, foot and body movements, the goal of Tae Kwon Do is Sportive Combat as opposed to Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwans aims of self improvement for a more integrated and confident social human being that contributes to human happiness.

The techniques of Tang Soo Do are designed to help the student learn to incorporate all of their body motions in strategies of true self-defense situations, rather than mutual combat.