Martial Arts Styles - What's The Difference?

This is in no way intended to be a comprehensive list, but rather a short list of the styles I have spent some time researching and studying:


Tang Soo Do - This Korean form of martial arts literally translates to the "China Hand Way" where the "Tang" part is actually referring to the Tang dynasty.  Although very similar to taekwondo, there are differences in how the practice has been passed down from generation to generation.  The curriculum is built upon forms (called Hyeong), one-step sparring (specially choreographed self-defense situations following step by step detail/design), and free-sparring (many variations).

Tae Kwon Do - Also a Korean form of martial arts.  Literally translates as "the art of striking/breaking with hand or foot".  This practice is based on the rationale that the most effective weapon on the human body is the leg, with greater range and power.  Therefore, taekwondo has a significant emphasis on these attacks.  This curruculum is made up of self defense techniques, patterns (or forms/hyeong), sparring, meditation/relaxation exercises, throwing/fall-breaking techniques, and breaking (testing power, speed, and also special techniques)

Shotokan - A Japanese style of martial arts which translates roughly to "house of pine-waves" where "Shoto" describes the movement of pine needles as the wind passes through them.  Shoto was the pen-name of poet/martial arts master Funakoshi, who founded the first academy teaching this style, and his students named the dojo Shotokan, or house/hall of Shoto, in his honor.  Shotokan's studies can be split into three sections; kata (forms), kumite (sparring, or meeting of hands), and kihon (basic techniques).

Wado Ryu - Another Japanese style, which shares history with Shotokan as Hironori Otsuka, the founder of Wado Ryu, studied under Funakoshi of Shotokan.  The name translates to "the way/style of harmony" and relies on the notion that sometimes it's more effective to yield than to use brute force.  The kata of this style have very many similarities to Shotokan, but there are key differences in the execution of the movements that make Wado Ryu completely different in practice.  (YET TO POST:  I intend to create a list of the small differences/tweaks that Wado Ryu makes to Shotokan forms, and I'll link this back to here whenever I do!  Also, there are some interesting anecdotes about the development of these two styles in relation to each other.)  Wado Ryu also incorporates the idea of a "paired kata" which are similar to the self defence techniques and one-step sparring of the korean forms of martial arts. 


I still can't decide which style is my "favorite" yet; however, I do enjoy studying the strengths and weaknesses of each in comparison or in conjunction with each other. 


Some additional styles which I hope to learn more about soon:

Wing Chun
Chinese Kung Fu
Aikido
Judo
Brazilian Jujitsu
Krav Maga (Hebrew Contact Combat)
Japanese Jujutsu (also known as Ju-Jitsu)