Japanese martial arts refers to the variety of martial arts native to the country of Japan . At least three Japanese terms ( budō , bujutsu , and bugei ) are used interchangeably with the English phrase Japanese martial arts.
82-449: Jōdō ( 杖道 ) , meaning "the way of the jō ", or Jōjutsu ( 杖術 ) is a Japanese martial art using a short staff called jō . The art is similar to bōjutsu , and is strongly focused upon defense against the Japanese sword . The jō is a short staff, usually about 3 to 5 feet (0.9 to 1.5 m) long. Shintō Musō-ryū jōjutsu (sometimes known as Shintō Musō-ryū jōdō - "Shindō" is also
164-471: A kama (the Japanese equivalent of a sickle or billhook) on a kusari-fundo – a type of metal chain ( kusari ) with a heavy iron weight ( fundo ) at the end. The kusarigama is said to have been developed during the Muromachi period . The art of handling the kusarigama is called kusarigamajutsu . The researcher Nawa Yumio believes that the kusarigama was based on the jingama , a tool that resembles
246-405: A Kendō club to offer Iaidō practice as well. Aikido ( 合氣道:あいきどう , aikidō ) means "the way to harmony with ki ". It is a Japanese martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba (植芝 盛平 Ueshiba Morihei , 1883 – 1969). The art consists of "striking", "throwing" and "joint locking" techniques and is known for its fluidity and blending with an attacker, rather than meeting "force with force". Emphasis
328-457: A battlefield. They would, however, be quite valuable to anyone confronting an enemy or opponent during peacetime dressed in normal street attire. Occasionally, inconspicuous weapons such as knives or tessen (鉄扇; iron fans) were included in the curriculum. Today, jujutsu is practiced in many forms, both ancient and modern. Various methods of jujutsu have been incorporated or synthesized into judo and aikido , as well as being exported throughout
410-418: A divine vision from a small child who told him: "holding a round stick, know the solar plexus" (" maruki wo motte, suigetsu wo shire "「丸木を以って、水月を知れ」). By shortening the length of the bō from roughly 185 to 128 cm (73 to 50 in) (or, in Japanese measurement units , four shaku , two sun and one bu ), he could increase the versatility of the weapon, giving him the ability to use techniques created for
492-541: A heavily armed and armored enemy on the battlefield. Ideally, the samurai would be armed and would not need to rely on such techniques. In later times, other koryū developed into systems more familiar to the practitioners of the jujutsu commonly seen today. These systems are generally designed to deal with opponents neither wearing armor nor in a battlefield environment. For this reason, they include extensive use of atemi waza (当て身技; vital-striking technique). These tactics would be of little use against an armored opponent on
574-414: A means of attracting rural students who wished to do something unique in their local festivals". Samurai women used the weapon as well. The schools of kenjutsu , jūjutsu , and naginatajutsu taught kusarigamajutsu , the art of handling the kusarigama . It combined the aspects of kamajutsu , kusarijutsu , and fundojutsu . Kamajutsu refers to the kama (sickle), kusarijutsu refers to
656-440: A mutual kill. This is not aiki . Aiki is epitomized by the notion of joining physically and mentally with the opponent for the express purpose of avoiding a direct clash of force. In practice, aiki is achieved by first joining with the motion of the opponent (the physical aspect) as well as the intent (the mental portion), then overcoming the will of the opponent, redirecting their motion and intent. Historically, this principle
738-403: A myth about the origin of the kusarigama . In the story, a farmer who used a farming sickle to cut his rice plants was attacked by a samurai . The farmer used the sickle with a chain attachment to defeat the warrior. According to Amdur, trapping an opponent with the chain is not effective, and a farmer's sickle would be an awkward weapon. He also states that there is no evidence for peasant use of
820-428: A number of different schools which include jōdō or jōjutsu in their curriculum ( Shintō Musō-ryū , Suiō-ryū , Tendō-ryū , Hōten-ryū , Kukishin-ryū , Takenouchi-ryū , etc.). These schools also teach the use of other weapons such as the sword, the naginata, the short staff ( tanjō ), the chained sickle ( kusarigama ), the truncheon ( jutte ), and jūjutsu (close combat for defeating an opponent in which one uses either
902-529: A paper scroll. This skill was useful for muskets which require dry gunpowder . Nihon Eiho is practiced by 28 schools and recognized by the Japan Swimming Federation . During the feudal era of Japan, various types of martial arts flourished, known in Japanese under the name of bujutsu ( 武術 ) . The term jutsu can be translated as "method", "art" or "technique" and the name that each one has
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#1732855865747984-456: A physical education exhibition sponsored by the ministry of education in 1917, and again in 1922. As a result, karate training was subsequently incorporated into Japan's public school system. It was also at this time that the white uniforms and the kyū / dan ranking system (both originally implemented by judo's founder, Kano Jigoro) were adopted. Karate practice is primarily characterized by linear punching and kicking techniques executed from
1066-529: A powerful system of new techniques and training methods, which famously culminated on June 11, 1886, in a tournament that would later be dramatized by celebrated Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa (黒沢 明 Kurosawa Akira , 1910–1998), in the film " Sanshiro Sugata " (1943). Judo became an Olympic sport in 1964, and has spread throughout the world. Kano Jigoro's original school, the " Kodokan ", has students worldwide, and many other schools have been founded by Kano's students. Kendo ( 剣道:けんどう , kendō ) , meaning
1148-516: A short weapon or none). Most practitioners specialise in only one school. The other branch is called Seitei Jōdō and is practiced by the All Japan Kendō Federation (全日本剣道連盟 Zen Nippon Kendō Renmei ). Seitei is a simpler form of jōdō, compared to the Koryū styles, with only 12 pre-arranged forms ( kata ), compared to Shintō Musō-ryū for instance, which has 64 In addition to these 12 kata
1230-405: A sickle, which was used to cut through a horse's ropes in the case of a fire. The jingama could also be used as a weapon and according to Nawa, the tool might have been combined with a konpi ( 棍飛 ) , which is a chain that contained a weighted end and a chain around the user's wrist. People would wield the weapons with both hands to protect their horses against criminals. Another theory is that
1312-487: A stable, fixed stance. Many styles of karate practiced today incorporate the forms ( kata ) originally developed by Funakoshi and his teachers and many different weapons traditionally concealed as farm implements by the peasants of Okinawa. Many karate practitioners also participate in light- and no-contact competitions while some (ex. kyokushin karate ) still compete in full-contact competitions with little or no protective gear. Shorinji Kempo ( 少林寺拳法 , shōrinji-kenpō )
1394-483: A valid pronunciation for the leading characters), is reputed to have been invented by the great swordsman Musō Gonnosuke Katsuyoshi (夢想 權之助 勝吉, fl. c.1605, date of death unknown) about 400 years ago, after a bout won by the famous Miyamoto Musashi (宮本 武蔵, 1584–1645). According to this tradition, Gonnosuke challenged Musashi using a bō , or long staff, a weapon he was said to wield with great skill. Although other accounts of this first duel disagree, according to
1476-440: Is a much stronger focus upon perfecting form. The primary technical aspects are smooth, controlled movements of drawing the sword from its scabbard, striking or cutting an opponent, removing blood from the blade, and then replacing the sword in the scabbard. Naginatajutsu ( 長刀術:なぎなたじゅつ ) is the Japanese art of wielding the naginata , a weapon resembling the medieval European glaive or guisarme . Most naginata practice today
1558-616: Is a post-World War II system of self-defense and self-improvement training (行: gyo or discipline) known as the modified version of Shaolin Kung Fu . There are two primary technique categories such as gōhō (剛法; strikes, kicks and blocks) and jūhō (柔法; pins, joint locks and dodges). It was established in 1947 by Doshin So ( 宗 道臣 , Sō Dōshin ) who had been in Manchuria during World War II and who on returning to his native Japan after World War II saw
1640-518: Is also sometimes called "the way of the empty hand" ( 空手道 , karatedō ) . It was originally called 唐手 ("Chinese hand"), also pronounced 'karate'. Karate originated in and, is technically, Okinawan , except for Kyokushin (an amalgamation of parts of Shotokan and Gojoryu), formerly known as the Ryūkyū Kingdom , but now a part of present-day Japan. Karate is a fusion of pre-existing Okinawan martial arts , called " te ", and Chinese martial arts . It
1722-575: Is an art that has been adopted and developed by practitioners on the Japanese main island of Honshu . Karate's route to Honshu began with Gichin Funakoshi (船越 義珍 Funakoshi Gichin , 1868–1957), who is called the father of karate, and is the founder of Shotokan karate. Although some Okinawan karate practitioners were already living and teaching in Honshū , Funakoshi gave public demonstrations of karate in Tokyo at
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#17328558657471804-517: Is for self-improvement, with self-defense as a secondary purpose. Additionally, many of the gendai budō have included a sporting element to them. Judo and kendo are both examples of this. Judo ( 柔道:じゅうどう , jūdō ) , literally meaning "gentle way" or "way of softness", is a grappling -based martial art, practiced primarily as a sport. It contains substantially the same emphasis on the personal, spiritual, and physical self-improvement of its practitioners as can be found throughout gendai budō . Judo
1886-498: Is in a modernized form ( gendai budō ) called the "way of naginata" ( naginata-dō ) or "new naginata" ( atarashii naginata ), in which competitions are also held. However, many koryu maintain naginatajutsu in their curriculum. Also of note, during the late Edo period , naginata were used to train women and ladies in waiting. Thus, most naginatajutsu styles are headed by women and most naginata practitioners in Japan are women. This has led to
1968-429: Is indicative of the mode or weapon with which they are executed. The combat methods that were developed and perfected are very diverse, among which are: Ordinarily, the development of combative techniques is intertwined with the tools used to execute those techniques. In a rapidly changing world, those tools are constantly changing, requiring that the techniques to use them be continuously reinvented. The history of Japan
2050-453: Is known about Gonnosuke after his alleged second duel is that he eventually became the martial arts instructor for the Kuroda clan of northern Kyūshū , where jōjutsu remained an exclusive art of the clan until the early 1900s, when the art form was taught to the general public. The modern study of jōdō has two branches. One is koryū , or "old school" jōdō. This branch is further subdivided into
2132-534: Is not as useful against a longer weapon such as a spear, a naginata , or a bō . Perhaps, it was carried as a backup weapon, being light weight and compact. It is likely that the kusarigama was common during the Edo period , used against swordsmen and as a training weapon, but it was first created during the Muromachi period . From the 12th century, until the time of the Tokugawa shogunate , many fighters specialized in
2214-487: Is part of the 20th century emphasis upon personal and spiritual development; an evolution that took place in many martial arts. In the case of iaidō , some schools merely changed in name without altering the curriculum, and others embraced the wholesale change from a combat-orientation to spiritual growth. Similar to Kendō, Iaidō is largely practiced under the All Japan Kendo Federation and it's not unusual for
2296-435: Is particularly difficult to describe or explain. The most simple translation of aiki , as "joining energy", belies its philosophical depth. Generally, it is the principle of matching your opponent in order to defeat him. It is this concept of "matching", or "joining", or even "harmonizing" (all valid interpretations of ai ) that contains the complexity. One may "match" the opponent in a clash of force, possibly even resulting in
2378-426: Is somewhat unusual in its relative isolation. Compared with the rest of the world, the Japanese tools of war evolved slowly. Many people believe that this afforded the warrior class the opportunity to study their weapons in greater depth than other cultures. Nevertheless, the teaching and training of these martial arts did evolve. For example, in the early medieval period, the bow and the spear were emphasized, but during
2460-435: Is subject to some debate. As a rule of thumb, the primary purpose of a koryū martial art was for use in war. The most extreme example of a koryū school is one that preserves its traditional, and often ancient, martial practices even in the absence of continuing wars in which to test them. Other koryū schools may have made modifications to their practices that reflect the passage of time (which may or may not have resulted in
2542-547: Is the only mention of this second duel, or for that matter, a person defeating Musashi in combat. Witness accounts of Musashi's life, as well as his own writings, insist he retired from dueling undefeated. Furthermore, while this legend is the most well-known tale to include the use of the jō, Gonnosuke cannot be credited as the sole creator of the jō as a number of other schools from the same period and with no links to Shintō Musō-ryū also include jōjutsu in their curriculum ( Suiō-ryū , Tendō-ryū , Hōten-ryū , Takenouchi-ryū ). What
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2624-404: Is to see the weapon's weight move, "it can be deflected or blocked". One hit with the kusarigama is typically not able to stop someone from attacking and the weight needs to be "reeled in" by the wielder again so that a second attack can be made. The second type of kusarigama has the chain "attached at the base of the blade" and it is much more powerful than the first type. The second type allows
2706-406: Is upon joining with the rhythm and intent of the opponent in order to find the optimal position and timing, when the opponent can be led without force. Aikidō is also known for emphasizing the personal development of its students, reflecting the spiritual background of its founder. Morihei Ueshiba developed aikido mainly from Daitō-ryū aiki-jūjutsu incorporating training movements such as those for
2788-623: The tantō (短刀; dagger), ryufundo kusari (weighted chain), jutte (十手; helmet-smasher), and kakushi buki (隠武器; secret or disguised weapons) were almost always included in koryū jujutsu. Most of these were battlefield-based systems to be practiced as companion arts to the more common and vital weapon systems. At the time, these fighting arts went by many different names, including kogusoku , yawara , kumiuchi , and hakuda . In reality, these grappling systems were not really unarmed systems of combat, but are more accurately described as means whereby an unarmed or lightly armed warrior could defeat
2870-461: The Meiji Restoration (1868), respectively. Since gendai budō and koryū often share the same historical origin, one will find various types of martial arts (such as jujutsu , kenjutsu , or naginatajutsu ) on both sides of the divide. Koryū ( 古流:こりゅう ) , meaning "traditional school", or "old school", refers specifically to schools of martial arts, originating in Japan, either prior to
2952-641: The Mongolian invasions during the 13th century (which in particular saw the transition from mostly horseback archery to hand-to-hand ground fighting). This development of the sword is paralleled by the development of the methods used to wield it. During times of peace, the warriors trained with the sword, and invented new ways to implement it. During war, these theories were tested. After the war ended, those who survived examined what worked and what didn't, and passed their knowledge on. In 1600 AD, Tokugawa Ieyasu (徳川 家康, 1543–1616) gained total control of all of Japan, and
3034-601: The Tokugawa period (1603–1867 CE), fewer large-scale battles took place, and the sword became the most prestigious weapon. Another trend that developed throughout Japanese history was that of increasing martial specialization as society became more stratified over time. The martial arts developed or originating in Japan are extraordinarily diverse, with vast differences in training tools, methods, and philosophy across innumerable schools and styles. That said, Japanese martial arts may generally be divided into koryū and gendai budō based on whether they existed prior to or after
3116-486: The Warring States Period (15th–17th centuries). Closely related to, but predating iaijutsu , battōjutsu training emphasizes defensive counter-attacking. Battōjutsu training technically incorporates kata , but generally consist of only a few moves, focusing on stepping up to an enemy, drawing, performing one or more cuts, and sheathing the weapon. Battōjutsu exercises tend to lack the elaborateness, as well as
3198-399: The jūji-dome block on the jō staff, Gonnosuke was able to wheel around the other end of the staff (because of the reduced length), forcing Musashi into a position where he had to concede defeat. Returning the courtesy he received during their previous duel, Gonnosuke spared Musashi's life. This may be an embellished story of the creation of jōjutsu, as the oral tradition of Shintō Musō-ryū
3280-410: The kusarigama is based on the tobiguchi ( ja:鳶口 ), which is a type of axe that had a "stout haft and a short pick-like blade". There is no evidence of the kusarigama being used as a battlefield weapon in mass combat. Swinging its long chain could endanger allies and it would be ineffective against armor. The weapon is at its most useful when wielded against an opponent who attacks with a sword; it
3362-502: The kusarigama or that it was derived from a farmer's tool. However, Donn F. Draeger mentions in his book Comprehensive Asian Fighting Arts that the sickle, referring to the kama , was originally used for agriculture and later became used as a weapon. Attacking with the weapon usually entailed swinging the weighted chain in a large circle over one's head, and then whipping it forward to entangle an opponent's spear, sword, or other weapon, or immobilizing their arms or legs. This allows
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3444-406: The yari (槍; spear), jō (杖; a short quarterstaff ), and perhaps also jūken (銃剣; bayonet ). Arguably the strongest influence is that of kenjutsu and in many ways, an aikidō practitioner moves as an empty handed swordsman. Kyūdō ( 弓道:きゅうどう ) , which means "way of the bow ", is the modern name for Japanese archery . Originally in Japan, kyujutsu, the "art of the bow", was a discipline of
3526-416: The "way of the sword", is based on Japanese sword-fighting. It is an evolution of the art of kenjutsu , and its exercises and practice are descended from several particular schools of swordsmanship. The primary technical influence in its development was the kenjutsu school of Ittō-ryū (founded c. 16th century), whose core philosophy revolved around the concept that all strikes in swordsmanship revolve around
3608-401: The adaptation or refinement of those tactics and techniques to facilitate systematic instruction and dissemination within a formal learning environment. Each child who grew up in a samurai family was expected to be a warrior when he grew up, so much of his childhood was spent practicing different martial arts . A complete samurai should be skilled at least in the use of the sword ( kenjutsu ),
3690-431: The aesthetic considerations of iaijutsu or iaidō kata . Finally, note that use of the name alone is not dispositive; what is battōjutsu to one school may be iaijutsu to another. Iaijutsu ( 居合術:いあいじゅつ ) , approximately "the art/science of mental presence and immediate reaction", is also the Japanese art of drawing the sword. However, unlike battōjutsu , iaijutsu tends to be technically more complex, and there
3772-675: The art of using indirect force, such as joint locks or throwing techniques, to defeat an opponent, as opposed to direct force such as a punch or a kick. This is not to imply that jujutsu does not teach or employ strikes, but rather that the art's aim is the ability to use an attacker's force against him or her, and counter-attack where they are weakest or least defended. Methods of combat included striking (kicking, punching), throwing (body throws, joint-lock throws, unbalance throws), restraining (pinning, strangulating, grappling, wrestling) and weaponry. Defensive tactics included blocking, evading, off balancing, blending and escaping. Minor weapons such as
3854-635: The art or to encompass the art as a whole. Kenjutsu ( 剣術:けんじゅつ ) literally means "the art/science of the sword". Although the term has been used as a general term for swordsmanship as a whole, in modern times, kenjutsu refers more to the specific aspect of swordsmanship dealing with partnered sword training. It is the oldest form of training and, at its simplest level, consists of two partners with swords drawn, practicing combat drills. Historically practiced with wooden katana ( bokken ; 木剣), this most often consists of pre-determined forms, called kata (型), or sometimes called kumitachi (組太刀), and similar to
3936-420: The basis of their training methodology and equipment, though wide variation still exists within each. Sumo ( 相撲:すもう , sumō ) , considered by many to be Japan's national sport, has its origins in the distant past. The earliest written records of Japan, which are dated from the 8th century AD, record the first sumo match in 23 BC, occurring specifically at the request of the emperor and continuing until one man
4018-508: The beginning of the Meiji Restoration in 1868, or the Haitōrei (Sword Abolishment Edict) in 1876. In modern usage, bujutsu ( 武術 ) , meaning military art/science , is typified by its practical application of technique to real-world or battlefield situations. The term also is used generally to indicate that a particular style or art is "traditional", rather than "modern". However, what it means for an art to be either "traditional" or "modern"
4100-485: The beginning of the Meiji Restoration in 1868. Aikido and judo are examples of gendai budō that were founded in the modern era, while iaidō represents the modernization of a practice that has existed for centuries. The core difference is, as was explained under " koryū ", above, that koryū arts are practiced as they were when their primary utility was for use in warfare, while the primary purpose of gendai budō
4182-469: The body, or forearms. Practitioners also compete in forms ( kata ) competitions, using either wooden or blunted metal swords, according to a set of forms promulgated by the AJKF. Iaidō ( 居合道:いあいどう ) , which would be "the way of mental presence and immediate reaction", is nominally the modernization of iaijutsu , but in practice is frequently identical to iaijutsu . The replacement of jutsu (術) with dō (道)
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#17328558657474264-524: The bow and arrow ( kyujutsu ), the spear ( sojutsu , yarijutsu ), the halberd ( naginatajutsu ) and subsequently the use of firearms ( houjutsu ). Similarly, they were instructed in the use of these weapons while riding a horse. They were also expected to know how to swim and dive. Nihon Eiho ( 日本泳法 , Japanese swimming style) originates from the Sengoku period in the 15th century. The samurai developed Suijutsu ( 水術 , (combat) water skills) , which
4346-427: The bow as the dominant battlefield weapon. As the bow lost its significance as a weapon of war, and under the influence of Buddhism , Shinto , Daoism and Confucianism , Japanese archery evolved into kyudō, the "way of the bow". In some schools kyudō is practiced as a highly refined contemplative practice, while in other schools it is practiced as a sport. Karate ( 空手 , karate ) literally means "empty hand". It
4428-411: The chain, and fundojutsu refers to the weight. Kusari-fundo refers to the chain combined with the iron weight. A handle of a kusarigama is surrounded by raden , which is a lacquer wood inlay that contains pieces of mother-of-pearl . The handle often has metal bands or strips for reinforcement at either end. Ellis Amdur ’s book Old School: Essays on Japanese Martial Traditions retells
4510-419: The country entered a period of prolonged peace that would last until the Meiji Restoration . During this period, the techniques to use the sword underwent a transition from a primarily utilitarian art for killing, to one encompassing a philosophy of personal development and spiritual perfection. The terminology used in Japanese swordsmanship is somewhat ambiguous. Many names have been used for various aspects of
4592-469: The entire practice of kendo is governed by the All Japan Kendo Federation , founded in 1951. Competitions are judged by points, with the first competitor to score two points on their opponent declared the winner. One point may be scored with a successful and properly executed strike to any of several targets: a thrust to the throat, or a strike to the top of the head, sides of the head, sides of
4674-414: The famous folding process were first forged by the smith Amakuni Yasutsuna (天國 安綱, c. 700 AD). The primary development of the sword occurred between 987 AD and 1597 AD. This development is characterized by profound artistry during peaceful eras, and renewed focus on durability, utility, and mass production during the intermittent periods of warfare, most notably civil warfare during the 12th century and
4756-485: The ground with a part of the body other than the bottom of the feet, or touch the ground outside the ring with any part of the body, loses. Six grand tournaments are held annually in Japan, and each professional fighter's name and relative ranking is published after each tournament in an official list, called the banzuke , which is followed religiously by sumo fans. Jujutsu ( 柔術:じゅうじゅつ , jūjutsu ) , literally translates to "soft skills". However, more accurately, it means
4838-399: The impression overseas that naginatajutsu is a martial art that was not used by male warriors. In fact, naginatajutsu was developed in early medieval Japan and for a time was widely used by samurai . Sōjutsu ( 槍術:そうじゅつ ) is the Japanese art of fighting with the spear ( yari ). For most of Japan's history, sōjutsu was practiced extensively by traditional schools. In times of war, it
4920-429: The kusarigama user to easily rush forward and strike with the sickle. There are three types of kusarigama . The first type has a weapon in the shape of a sickle that has a chain attached to the end of its shaft. The use of the first type depends on the ryū (school), with the weapon being held in either hand and its chain and weight being held in the other hand to be swung at the other person. Depending on how easy it
5002-410: The long peace of the Tokugawa shogunate there was an increase in specialization with many schools identifying themselves with particular major battlefield weapons. However, there were many additional weapons employed by the warriors of feudal Japan, and an art to wielding each. Usually they were studied as secondary or tertiary weapons within a school but there are exceptions, such as the art of wielding
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#17328558657475084-520: The long staff, spear fighting and swordsmanship. The length of the new weapon was longer than the tachi (long sword) of the period, but short enough to allow the reversal of the striking end of the jō in much tighter quarters than the longer bō . Gonnosuke could alter the techniques he used with the jō stick, depending on the opponent he faced, to provide himself with many different options of attack. He named his style Shintō Musō-ryū and challenged Musashi again. This time, when Musashi attempted to use
5166-510: The loss of " koryū " status in the eyes of its peers). This is as opposed to "modern" martial arts, whose primary focus is generally upon the self-improvement (mental, physical, or spiritual) of the individual practitioner, with varying degrees of emphasis on the practical application of the martial art for either sport or self-defence purposes. The following subsections represent not individual schools of martial arts, but rather generic "types" of martial arts. These are generally distinguishable on
5248-464: The most unusual Japanese martial art is that which employs the kusarigama . The fact that it has survived through history gives mute testimony to its effectiveness. Yet, the casual observer, untrained in its use, would be apt to regard it as a foolish toy." A book by Tadashi Yamashita that teaches people how to use the Okinawan kusarigama was advertised in the magazine Black Belt in the 1980s. In
5330-596: The need to overcome the devastation and re-build self-confidence of the Japanese people on a massive scale. Although Shorinji Kempo was originally introduced in Japan in the late 1940s and 1950s through large scale programmes involving employees of major national organizations (e.g. Japan Railways) it subsequently became popular in many other countries. Today, according to the World Shorinji Kempo Organization (WSKO), there are almost 1.5 million practitioners in 33 countries. The principle of aiki ( 合気 )
5412-517: The oral tradition of Shintō Musō-ryū, Musashi caught Gonnosuke's bō in a two-sword "X" block ( jūji-dome ; 十字止め). Once in this position, Gonnosuke could not move in such a way as to prevent Musashi from delivering a counterattack, and Musashi elected to spare his life. Gonnosuke's wanderings then brought him to Mount Hōman in Chikuzen (modern-day Fukuoka ) where, after a period of purification, meditation, and training, Gonnosuke claimed to have received
5494-474: The partner drills practiced in kendo. Among advanced students, kenjutsu training may also include increasing degrees of freestyle practice. Battōjutsu ( 抜刀術:ばっとうじゅつ ) , literally meaning "the art/science of drawing a sword", and developed in the mid-15th century, is the aspect of swordsmanship focused upon the efficient draw of the sword, cutting down one's enemy, and returning the sword to its scabbard ( saya ; 鞘). The term came into use specifically during
5576-406: The public, enjoyed by both the upper class and commoners. Today, sumo retains much of its traditional trappings, including a referee dressed as a Shintō priest, and a ritual where the competitors clap hands, stomp their feet, and throw salt in the ring prior to each match. To win a match, competitors employ throwing and grappling techniques to force the other man to the ground; the first man to touch
5658-401: The samurai, the Japanese warrior class . The bow is a long range weapon that allowed a military unit to engage an opposing force while it was still far away. If the archers were mounted on horseback , they could be used to even more devastating effect as a mobile weapons platform. Archers were also used in sieges and sea battles. However, from the 16th century onward, firearms slowly displaced
5740-513: The short staff, ( jōdō ; 杖道) which was the primary art taught by the Shintō Musō-ryū . Other arts existed to teach military skills other than the use of weaponry. Examples of these include marine skills such as swimming and river-fording ( suijutsu ; 水術), equestrianism ( bajutsu ; 馬術), arson and demolition ( kajutsu ). Gendai budō ( 現代武道:げんだいぶどう ) , literally meaning "modern martial way", usually applies to arts founded after
5822-468: The student will also study their koryū. Jōjutsu has also been adapted for use in the Japanese police force, who refer to the art as keijō-jutsu (警杖術), or police stick art. Aiki-jō is the name given to the set of martial art techniques practiced with a jō according to the principles of aikido, taught first by Morihei Ueshiba then further developed by Morihiro Saito , one of Ueshiba's most prominent students. Japanese martial art The usage of
5904-559: The subject of stories and legends through virtually all cultures in which it has been employed as a tool for violence. In Japan, the use of the katana is no different. Although originally the most important skills of the warrior class were proficiency at horse-riding and shooting the bow, this eventually gave way to swordsmanship. The earliest swords, which can be dated as far back as the Kofun era (3rd and 4th centuries) were primarily straight bladed. According to legend, curved swords made strong by
5986-401: The technique kiri-oroshi (vertical downward cut). Kendo really began to take shape with the introduction of bamboo swords, called shinai (竹刀), and the set of lightweight wooden armour, called bōgu (防具), by Naganuma Sirōzaemon Kunisato (長沼 四郎左衛門 国郷, 1688–1767), which allowed for the practice of strikes at full speed and power without risk of injury to the competitors. Today, virtually
6068-474: The term budō (武道) to mean martial arts is a modern one: historically the term meant a way of life encompassing physical, spiritual and moral dimensions with a focus on self-improvement , fulfillment or personal growth . The terms bujutsu (武術) and bugei (武芸) have different meanings from budō , at least historically speaking. Bujutsu refers specifically to the practical application of martial tactics and techniques in actual combat. Bugei refers to
6150-404: The use of the weapon. One of these fighters was Yamada Shinryukan , a man who defeated many swordsmen; he was trapped in a bamboo grove by Araki Mataemon and killed. Yamada did not have enough room in the bamboo grove to swing around the chain of his kusarigama . The weapon has been used by ninja . The kusarigama has also been used as a "plaything for warriors with time on their hands, and
6232-498: The wielder to use quick attacks and it can continue to be used if the weapon is deflected. It only takes one hand to operate the second type and the other hand can be used for another form of combat. The third type "has a straight blade, hafted at right angles, with a handguard set at the blade side". The chain is attached to the weapon's base and it is controlled with both hands, similar to the first type of kusarigama . Issue 9 of This Is Japan by The Asahi Shimbun stated, "Maybe,
6314-420: The world and transformed into sport wrestling systems, adopted in whole or part by schools of karate or other unrelated martial arts, still practiced as they were centuries ago, or all of the above. Swordsmanship, the art of the sword , has an almost mythological ethos, and is believed by some to be the paramount martial art, surpassing all others. Regardless of the truth of that belief, the sword itself has been
6396-665: Was a primary skill of many soldiers. Today it is a minor art taught in very few schools. Shinobi no jutsu (aka Ninjutsu ) was developed by groups of people mainly from Iga, Mie and Kōka , Shiga of Japan who became noted for their skills as infiltrators , scouts, secret agents, and spies. The training of these shinobi (忍; ninja ) involves espionage , sabotage , disguise , escape , concealment , assassination , archery , medicine , explosives , poisons , and more. The early martial art schools of Japan were almost entirely " Sōgō bujutsu ", composite martial systems made up of an eclectic collection of skills and tools. With
6478-456: Was created by Kano Jigoro (嘉納 治五郎 Kanō Jigorō , 1860–1938) at the end of the 19th century. Kano took the koryū martial arts he learned (specifically Kitō-ryū and Tenjin Shin'yo-ryū jujutsu), and systematically reinvented them into a martial art with an emphasis on freestyle practice ( randori ) and competition, while removing harmful jujutsu techniques or limiting them to the kata . Kano devised
6560-492: Was too wounded to continue . Beginning in 728 AD, the Emperor Shōmu (聖武天皇, 701–756) began holding official sumo matches at the annual harvest festivals. This tradition of having matches in the presence of the emperor continued, but gradually spread, with matches also held at Shintō festivals, and sumo training was eventually incorporated into military training. By the 17th century, sumo was an organized professional sport, open to
6642-418: Was used for destructive purposes; to seize an advantage and kill one's opponent. The modern art of aikido is founded upon the principle that the control of the opponent achieved by the successful application of aiki may be used to defeat one's opponent without harming them. Kusarigama A kusarigama ( Japanese : 鎖鎌 , lit. " chain - sickle ") is a traditional Japanese weapon that consists of
6724-402: Was useful in case they were thrown overboard during naval conflicts. The samurai practiced Katchu gozen oyogi ( 甲冑御前游 , full armor swimming) , Tachi-oyogi ( 立ち泳ぎ , standing swimming) and Ina-tobi ( 鯔飛 , flying mullet) to board enemy vessels. Activities included strokes with swords, bows and firearms. Hands were kept dry above the water to write messages with an ink brush on
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