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Urban legends, or myths, are stories that are thought to be factual by those circulating them; however, while they are usually based upon some fact, over time they have often been distorted, exaggerated, or sensationalized. The term, “urban legend” does not necessarily mean that it take place in an urban setting. The term is used to differentiate modern legends from traditional folklore; urban legends should more accurately be called contemporary legends.

The martial arts have their share of urban legends. Many of them relate to the stories about the deadly techniques used by mysterious “martial art masters.” Most of the legends started in 1950’s and 1960’s when the martial arts were becoming more widely known by the public; mostly through television and the movies.

One thing about urban legends is that, the more unbelievable they are, the more people believe them. While many people would not believe an urban legend involving an ordinary person, if the person involved is said to be a “martial art master,” then they tend to believe it. If I said a old man jumped from the ground straight up onto a second floor ledge, people would not believe it; however, if I said the old man was a kung-fu master, then they would tend to believe it and pass the legend on to others.

Here are a few examples of martial art urban legends:

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