Budō

is a Japanese term describing modern Japanese martial arts. It is commonly translated as "Martial Way", or the "Way of Martial Arts".

Etymology

is a compound of the root ( or ; ), meaning "war" or "martial"; and ( or ; ), incorporating the character above for head and below for foot, meaning the unification of mind and body "path" or "way" (including the ancient Indic Dharmic and Buddhist conception of "path", or in Sanskrit). is the idea of formulating propositions, subjecting them to philosophical critique and then following a "path" to realize them. signifies a "way of life". in the Japanese context is an experiential term in the sense that practice (the way of life) is the norm to verify the validity of the discipline cultivated through a given art form. Modern has no external enemy, only the internal one: the ego that must be fought.

Similarly to , is a compound of the roots and ( or ), meaning technique. Thus, is translated as "martial way", or "the way of war" while is translated as "science of war" or "martial craft". However, both and are used interchangeably in English with the term "martial arts". and have quite a delicate difference: whereas only gives attention to the physical part of fighting (how to best defeat an enemy), also gives attention to the mind and how one should develop oneself.

The first significant occurrences of the word date back to the (16th century) when it was used to describe the samurai lifestyle rather than the practice of martial techniques. The word was later re-theorized and redefined to the definition we know today, first by Nishikubo Hiromichi and the Dai Nippon Butokukai when the name of their vocational school for martial arts was changed from to ; and later by Kanō Jigorō, judo's founder, when he chose to name his art ''judo'' instead of ''jujutsu''.

Typical budo styles

* Aikido
* Iaido
* Jodo
* Judo
* Jujutsu
* Karate
* Kendo
* Kūdō
* Kyūdō
* Shōrinji kempō
* Sumo

In

modern history usage, translates as martial art, military science, or military strategy depending on context, and is typified by its practical application of technique to real-world or battlefield situations. , meaning martial way, has a more philosophical emphasis, but in actual usage, is considered the general term for all martial arts in Japan.

Civilian vs. military

Many consider a more civilian form of martial arts, as an interpretation or evolution of the older , which they categorize as a more militaristic style or strategy. According to this distinction, the modern civilian art de-emphasizes practicality and effectiveness in favor of personal development from a fitness or spiritual perspective. The difference is between the more "civilian" versus "military" aspects of combat and personal development. They see and as representing a particular strategy or philosophy regarding combat systems, but still, the terms are rather loosely applied and often interchangeable.

Art vs. lifestyle

One view is that a is the martial art one practices, whereas a is the lifestyle one lives and the path one walks by practicing a . For example, one could say that judo and jujutsu practised as a martial art are one and the same, meaning that the practice of the art jujutsu leads to obtaining the lifestyle of judo. (Judo was originally known as , after judo's founder Kanō Jigorō.) That would also be true for arts such as kenjutsu/kendo and iaijutsu/iaido.

Recreational sport

was featured in the Summer Olympic Games demonstration programme in 1964.

References

External links

Archives of Budo

{{DEFAULTSORT:Budo
Japanese martial arts