Japanese martial arts

Late 19th-century photograph of a sohei fully robed and equipped, armed with a naginata (薙刀) and tachi (太刀)

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.

The usage of 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.[1] 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.[2] Bugei refers to the adaptation or refinement of those tactics and techniques to facilitate systematic instruction and dissemination within a formal learning environment.[2]

Translations of Japanese martial arts
Term Translation
budō (武道) martial way[3][4][5]
bujutsu (武術) martial technique alternatively science, art or craft of war
bugei (武芸) martial art
  1. ^ Green, Thomas (2001). Martial Arts of the World: Encyclopedia. Bloomsbury Academic. pp. 56–58. ISBN 978-1576071502.
  2. ^ a b Mol, Serge (2001). Classical Fighting Arts of Japan: A Complete Guide to Koryū Jūjutsu. Tokyo, Japan: Kodansha International, Ltd. p. 69. ISBN 4-7700-2619-6.
  3. ^ Armstrong, Hunter B. (1995). The Koryu Bujutsu Experience in Kory Bujutsu - Classical Warrior Traditions of Japan. New Jersey: Koryu Books. pp. 19–20. ISBN 1-890536-04-0.
  4. ^ Dreager, Donn F. (1974). Modern Bujutsu & Budo - The Martial Arts and Ways of Japan. New York/Tokyo: Weatherhill. p. 11. ISBN 0-8348-0351-8.
  5. ^ Friday, Karl F. (1997). Legacies of the Sword. Hawai: University of Hawai'i Press. p. 63. ISBN 0-8248-1847-4.

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