All Japan Judo Championship Match (source: Monthly Budo, published by Nippon Budokan)
Japanese martial arts, or budo, its historical origin can be found in the warrior traditions of the samurai and the caste system that restricted the use of weapons by members of the non-warrior classes. Originally, samurai were expected to be proficient in many weapons, as well as unarmed combat, and attain the highest possible mastery of combat skills, for the purpose of glorifying either themselves or their liege. While the samurai were highly important in feudal society, after peace was established by Tokugawa Ieyasu in the early 1600′s, their fighting skills were diverted into more spiritual activities such as striving to perfect their martial skills. The fighting arts were combined with Confucianism, Shinto and Zen Buddhism as a means of spiritual as well as physical training.
Judo, the best-known martial art, originated in Japan in 1882 and is based on jujitsu, a deadly martial art practiced by samurai as a means of defense. Using self-defense techniques that manipulate the opponent’s strength and force to one’s own advantage, judo trains both the body and the mind. Bouts are won by throwing the opponent or getting hold of him. Judo became known throughout the world when it was designated an official event during the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games.
Link: Kodokan Judo Institute
Karate, developed in ancient China and introduced to Japan via Okinawa, became popular as a means of unarmed defense and attack when common people were forbidden to carry weapons. In karate, hands and feet are used to strike vulnerable areas of the opponent, with power achieved through speed and concentration. To strengthen their knuckles, Japanese experts practice hitting hard objects with their fist—and can break 10 to 15 Japanese roof slates or five boards with one strike.
Link: THE KARATE WORLD
Kendo, Japanese fencing, originated from kenjutsu, the most important martial art of the samurai. Practiced today with bamboo swords and protective gear, opponents try to strike each other’s mask, arm or body, using the correct combination of force, posture and sword position.
Link: All Japan Kendo Federation
Kyudo (way of the bow), Japanese archery, one of Japan’s martial arts originally known as kyujutsu (the art of the bow). Kyudo today continues to be taught in the traditionally prescribed manner. After certain ritual movements, the archer advances with deliberate steps to the shooting line and shoots at a target 36 cm in diameter set in a bank of sand that is roofed over, from a distance of 28 meters. Twenty arrows are shot per archer in a tournament. Kyudo is considered to be as much for individual spiritual refinement and the development of concentration as it is for competition. Long associated with the principles of Zen Buddhism, archery contests can sometimes be viewed at temples.
Link: All Nippon Kyudo Federation
Aikido is derived from jujutsu, the same system of weaponless self-defense from which Kano Jigoro developed judo, but the resulting sport is considerably different in its approach, especially in its incorporation of manipulative holds, not included in judo by Kano. While judo’s main techniques are throwing, grappling, and attacking vital points, the aikido student concentrates on deflecting blows and checking offensive attacks by meeting, rather than blocking, a blow, and redirecting the flow of an opponent’s ki (energy force), dissipating it, and then using joint manipulation (wrists elbows or shoulders) to turn the opponent’s ki against him until he is thrown or pinned. Aikido stresses form and places great emphasis on the spiritual aspect of the sport, giving it the nickname “Zen in motion.” Using correct breathing techniques and meditation, it does not depend much on physical strength, making it popular also with women and senior citizens.
Link: AIKIKAI FOUNDATION
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sources credited: Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), Web-Japan, Wikipedia, Japan Zone
