"Learn About The Fascinating History
of Japanese Martial Arts"

Japanese Martial Arts includes a complete variety of martial arts that are native to Japan. At least three Japanese terms are often used... budo (martial way), bujutsu (art of war), and bugei (martial art).

The term budo usually indicates the practice of martial arts as a way of life, and includes physical, spiritual, and moral dimensions with a focus on self-improvement, fulfillment, or personal growth.

Bujutsu relates particularly to the practical application of strategy and techniques in actual combat.

Bugei refers to refinement of tactics, strategy and techniques to develop a system of instruction within a formal learning environment.

The origin of Japanese martial arts is seen in the warrior traditions of the samurai and the restricted use of weapons by members of the non-warrior classes.

Originally, samurai were skilled in many weapons, unarmed combat, and attained mastery of combat skills, to achieve glory for themselves or their master.

Over time, it developed into a philosophy of achieving spiritual goals by aiming to perfect their martial skills.

The teaching and training of Japanese martial arts evolved with conditions on the battlefield, then through a long period of peace, and finally into modern times. Over time many of the arts moved towards more peaceful practices and taught the way of budo.

There were vast differences in training tools, methods, and philosophy across schools and styles. But Japanese martial arts can generally be divided into koryu (traditional/old schools) and gendai budo (modern).

Sumo is considered by many to be Japan's national sport. The earliest written records of Japan, which are dated from the 8th century A.D., record the first sumo match in 23 B.C., occurring at the request of the emperor and continued until one man was too wounded to continue.

From 728 A.D. a tradition started of having matches in the presence of the emperor, spread to Shinto festivals, and eventually included in military training. By the 17th century, sumo was an organized professional sport, open to the public, and enjoyed by both the upper class and commoners.

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 is the art of using indirect force, such as joint locks or throwing techniques, to defeat an opponent. Methods include kicking, punching, body throws, joint-lock throws, unbalance throws, pinning, strangling, grappling, wrestling and weapons.

Defenses include blocking, evading, off balancing, blending and escaping.

Minor weapons such as the tanto (dagger), ryufundo kusari (weighted chain), jutte (helmet smasher), and kakushi buki (secret or disguised weapons) were usually included in koryu jujutsu.

Later developing into systems designed to deal with opponents without armor and not on a battlefield. For this reason, they include extensive use of atemi (vital point-strikes), valuable for street confrontations.

Today, jujutsu is practiced in both ancient and modern forms that have also been included in judo, aikido, karate, wrestling, mixed martial arts, etc.

Swordmanship became the most important aspect of the warrior class after horse-riding and shooting the bow. The main development of the sword occurred between 987 A.D. and 1597 A.D. which is characterized by artistry, durability, strength, and mass production.

During peaceful times, warriors trained and invented new techniques that were tested during war, and passed on. In 1600 A.D., Tokugawa Ieyasu gained total control of Japan, and a period of peace lasted until the Meiji Restoration. The sword techniques changed from an art for killing, to include philosophy, personal development and spiritual perfection.

Kenjutsu (art/science of sword) involves the sword training of two partners with swords drawn, practicing combat drills. Historically it was practiced with wooden katana (bokken), and included pre-determined forms, called kata, or sometimes called kumitachi, and similar to the partner drills practiced in kendo. Among advanced students, kenjutsu training may also include increasing degrees of freestyle practice.

Iaijutsu (art/science of mental presence and immediate reaction), is the art of drawing the sword that is technically complex, with a focus on perfecting the form. The main aspects are smooth, controlled movements of drawing, striking, cutting an opponent, removing blood from the blade, and then replacing the sword in the scabbard.

Iaido is the modernization of iaijutsu, but in practice is often identical. The replacement of jutsu with do is part of the 20th century focus on personal and spiritual development, as in other Japanese martial arts.

Naginatajutsu is the Japanese art of wielding the naginata, and most practice today is in a modernized form called naginata-do, in which competitions are held. During the late Edo period, naginata were used to train women, and most styles are headed by and practised by women.

Sojutsu is the Japanese art of fighting with the spear (yari). For most of Japan's history, sojutsu was practiced extensively by traditional schools. In times of war, it was a primary skill of many soldiers. Today it is a minor art.

Ninjutsu was developed as a collection of survival techniques in the warring state of feudal Japan in the 14th century. The ninja used their art to survive in a time of violent political turmoil. It included methods of gathering information, and techniques of avoidance, and misdirection.

Ninjutsu can also involve training in disguise, escape, concealment, archery, medicine, explosives, and poisons.

The original Japanese martial art schools were almost entirely sogo (comprehensive) bujutsu. With the long peace of the Tokugawa shogunate there was an increase in specialization with many schools identifying themselves with particular major battlefield weapons.

Gendai Budo (modern martial way), is a general term used to describe Japanese martial arts that are thought to be modern. That is, either the art was founded after 1868, or an art which changed its methodology in such a way that it lost koryu status, and is now considered gendai budo.

Judo (gentle way), is a modern grappling-based martial art, practiced mainly as a sport. It was created by Jigoro Kano (1860–1938) who was a brilliant martial artist with a formal education that enabled him to take the koryu arts of Kito-ryu and Tenjin Shin'yo-ryu jujutsu, and reinvent them with a focus on freestyle practice and competition.

Kano developed a powerful system of new techniques and training methods, which became an Olympic sport in 1964, and has spread throughout the world. The 'Kodokan', has students worldwide, and many other schools have been founded by Kano's students.

Kendo (way of the sword), is based on Japanese sword-fighting descended from several schools including the kenjutsu school of Itto-ryu. The modern form of kendo began to really take shape with the introduction of shinai (bamboo swords), and lightweight wooden armour. This allowed the practice of strikes at full speed and power without risk of injury.

Almost the entire practice of modern 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. Practitioners also compete in forms (kata) competitions, using either wooden or blunted metal swords, according to a set of forms.

Aikido (way of harmony) is a modern grappling-based Japanese martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba (1883–1969). The art consists of striking, throwing and joint locking techniques and is known for its blending with an attacker, rather than meeting force with force.

It focuses on joining with the rhythm and intent of an opponent in order to find the opening, Also spiritual and philosophical development of its students reflecting the religious background of its founder.

Morihei Ueshiba developed the martial art of Aikido from his combat studies of Daito-ryu Aikijujutsu with Sokaku Takeda, and his spiritual studies with the Omoto Kyo and Onisaburi Deguchi. The art of peace that focuses on harmony and non-resistance, leading to Aikido Success

Kyudo (way of the bow), is the modern name for Japanese archery. Originally in Japan, kyujutsu (art of the bow), was a discipline of the samurai, the Japanese warrior class.

From the 16th century, firearms slowly replaced 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 kyudo.

In some schools kyudo is practiced as a highly refined contemplative practice, while in other schools it is practiced as a modern day sport.

Karate (empty hand) originated in Okinawa, and is a mix of pre-existing Okinawan arts, called 'te', and Chinese martial arts. Gichin Funakoshi (1868–1957) is called the father of modern karate, founded Shotokan karate. He gave public demonstrations in Tokyo in 1917, and karate training was included in Japan's public school system. At this time that the white uniforms and the kyu/dan ranking system were adopted.

Karate practice is mainly characterized by straight punching and kicking techniques executed from a stable, fixed stance. Many styles of karate practiced today incorporate the forms (kata) originally developed by Funakoshi and his teachers, and modern practitioners also participate in full, light, and no-contact competitions.

The principle of aiki is a joining of energy, or harmonizing physically and mentally with an opponent to avoid direct conflict. In practice, aiki is achieved by joining with the physical motion and the mental intent to redirect the energy and the will to calm down a situation.

The art of aikido is founded upon the principle that controlling an opponent is achieved by an application of aiki to defeat them without harm.

Budo (way of war), is used in a similar way as martial arts, but particularly relating to Japanese styles.

Bushido (way of the warrior) is a code of honor for the samurai way of life. It emphasizes courage, bravery, and loyalty to their lord (daimyo).

Courtesy, etiquette, politeness, humble, gentle, boldness, formal bow, etc. Everything begins with rei and ends with rei, in training and daily life.

Hard and soft (in/yo or yin/yang). The hard may be a direct attack towards an opponent, or a defense with a block or parry. Hard techniques are usually in straight lines.

The soft method is an indirect application of force, which either avoids or redirects the opposing force. Avoiding an attack, followed by added force to unbalance an attacker. Soft techniques are usually circular.

Openings are the foundation of a successful attack, whether physical or broken concentration. In combat between masters, each would stand almost entirely motionless until the slightest opening was spotted. One would launch a devastating attack to incapacitate with a single blow.

Initiative is taking advantage of an opening with total commitment and ignoring a possible counter-attack. Or an active attempt to encourage an attack by the opponent that will create a weakness in their defense, often by faking an opening that is too enticing for the opponent to ignore.

Sensei is the title used for a teacher, similar to a college 'Professor'.

There are two main systems of education in the Japanese martial arts. Before 1868 it was based on a curriculum to preserved tradition. It was organized by a series of levels passed down within the Ryu (tradition). Resulting in the student achieving a "license of total transmission" (menkyo kaiden), permitting the student to teach outside of the ryu.

The modern system after 1868, awards belts in accordance with students reaching a particular level. Students progress by promotion through a series of grades (kyu), followed by a series of degrees (dan), by formal testing. Some arts use only white and black belts to distinguish between skill levels, while others use a progression of colored belts for kyu levels.

Kata (forms) are thought to be the backbone of martial arts, but different schools and styles put a varying amount of emphasis upon their practice.

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