Japanese martial arts
Japanese martial arts
Some of the most sophisticated, influential, as well as popular martial arts practiced in the world today have originated from Japan. While deriving from martial traditions of Samurai warrior class, Japanese martial arts developed philosophies encompassing greater spiritual aims than mere proficiency in art of fighting, especially when they spread to the other classes.
History The relative isolation of Japan both for geographic as well as political reasons contributed to the refined and in depth development of Japanese martial arts. For instance firearms which precipitated a decline in martial arts in many other countries were banned in Japan for several centuries prior to Meiji Restoration in 1866.
Huge range of Japanese martial arts and the schools and styles they have divided into can be broadly categorized into two groups; Koryu or ?traditional? martial arts existing prior to Meiji Restoration and developed for actual martial combat in the battlefield, and Gendai budo or ?modern? martial arts developed with an emphasis on the physical, mental and spiritual development of the practitioner and used for sport and self defense. It must be noted that this division is not exact and that various schools and styles within each martial art can be classified as traditional or modern. Most Koryu martial art schools too have changed with the times and practiced for other purposes than war. It is more a question of emphasis they place on their practices than anything else that make this division possible.
Following are some of the main martial arts practiced today; most of them in fact can be subdivided into various schools and styles.
Sumo A form of wrestling with very ancient origins and deeply interconnected with Shinto rituals. It has developed into a professional sport by seventeenths century and is a popular spectator sport.
Jujutsu Jujutsu originated as a martial art for defeating an armed opponent by an unarmed or lightly armed practitioner in actual battlefield. Later it developed to deal with opponents in peacetime situations. It is noted for techniques that make use of the opponent?s strengths against him or her.
Judo This modern gendai budo was created by Kano Jigoro during the last quarter of nineteenth century. Judo was based on several schools of koryu martial arts especially various styles of jujutsu, but emphasized free style practice and competition and personal self improvement. It was accepted as an Olympic sport in 1964 and is probably the most popular martial art in the world.
Karate Karate originated from now Japanese controlled island of Okinawa and was heavily influenced by Chinese martial arts so is not strictly a Japanese martial art. However once it was introduced to Japan it further developed and integrated Japanese training methods, as well as ranking system, and dress (borrowed from Judo)
Kenjutsu Kenjutsu is the art of swordsmanship. It is trained and practiced in modern times as prearranged drills preformed solo or with partners called kata or kumitachi using bokken (wooden katana or sword) to display and interpret the techniques.
Kendo Fencing art Kendo or ?the way of the sword? developed from Kenjutsu but was aimed at spiritual development and physical exercise. As such style and safety are stressed and certain striking techniques are forbidden. Iaijutsu This is the samurai art of defending against an ambush and involved killing the enemy as the sword was drawn.
Iaido Developed from Iaijutsu and involve drawing and striking with the sword at a high speed before the opponent can defend him or herself against the strike. It is practiced as a kata or kumetachi.
Battojutsu This can be described as the art of drawing the sword. The movements involved include stepping up to the opponent, drawing the sword, delivering one or more cuts, and then sheathing the weapon in its scabbard (saya)
Aikido Created by Morihei Ueshiba, Aikido is noted for techniques that aim at controlling the attacker through flexibility, redirection, and blending, rather than by blocking or by deploying an opposing force.
Archery and Kyudo Archery was once the main art of samurai with particular attention paid to shooting arrows while mounted on a horse. However changes in battle tactics resulted in decline of the art. Kyudo is the gendai budo form of archery.
Others Other Japanese martial arts include, Naginatajutsu and Naginatado (Long handled knife fighting), Sojutsu (yari or spear fighting), and Kusarigamajutsu (chain and sickle), among others.
Ninjutsu In addition to these several unconventional martial skills or ninja juhakkei (Ninpo or Ninjutsu) were used by special warriors (ninja) engaged in espionage, assassination and other such activities.