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The so-called martial arts are an array of disparate systems
undergoing rapid change as they are adopted and modified by numerous
cultures, each with its own tradition and meanings for combat and active
contest. Classical and
modern disciplines differ not only in their age of origin but also in
their social structure, training methods, and purposes. Presented in
developmental order we have following arts and ways.
The classical
martial arts are complete systems of combat for the
protection of the group devised by and for professional warriors (bushi
or samurai)
in the years prior the Tokugawa Period (prior 1603). The method (ko-bujutsu) was
based on combat, discipline and morals. Among the classical martial arts
are e.g. kenjutsu, naginatajutsu, kyujutsu, bajutsu,
and sojutsu.
The classical martial ways
(ko-budo
古武道) that derived from the
combative systems of the older martial arts, had their origin in the
Tokugawa era of peace (1603-1868) and is deeply rooted in the culture of
feudal-age Japan. Previously, the training for battle was served for
aristocratic warriors but social changes during the Tokugawa period made
it possible for the common people to practice classical martial ways. Quite
a few, but not all, ryu (martial tradition) were transformed in
this period. Some of the transformed disciplines within
swordsmanship became
Kendo 剣道 (the way of the
sword). Generally speaking, swordsmanship in this period was
without distinction of form or content. The method of classical martial ways was based on moral, discipline and aesthetic concerns which take
precedence over combative realism. Other ryu left the old traditions and
changed the training method to competition and other purposes. These ryu does no longer represent the classical ways but have developed a
'new way' later known as shin-budo 新武道 (modern martial ways). Compared
with shin-budo, the ko-budo is closer to the older samurai traditions concerning theory, method and symbolism.
The modern martial arts are officially approved methods of
hand-to-hand combat for people authorized by the government to deal with
offenders against the social order. Largely confined to members of the
national law enforcement agencies and the Self-Defense Forces. The
modern martial arts differ from their classical forerunners
(classical martial arts) in that
they are primarily defensive and seek to restrain the opponent rather
than kill or maim. Modern martial arts are practiced after 1868
and based on the method shin-bujutsu.
The modern martial ways (shin-budo 新武道)
that encompasses the modern disciplines created after the collapse of
the Japanese feudal system in 1868.(Draeger, Vol. III: p.57) Modern martial ways are the
best known of the Japanese combative systems and have the largest number
of participants. They have
a wide variety of applications which include spiritual and physical training,
recreation and competitive sport. While having no direct affiliation
with their classical antecedents, the shin-budo have profoundly
affected by the theory, technique, and symbolic content of the classical
disciplines. Among the modern martial ways are e.g aikido, judo,
karate-do, kyudo, jodo, naginata-do, shorinji kempo and kendo (the
modern form).
References
• Dann, Jeffrey.
Kendo in Japanese
Martial Culture.
Ph.D. thesis.
University of Washington. 1978.
•
Draeger, Donn F. Classical Bujutsu.
Vol. I. Weatherhill. 1973.
ISBN 978-0-8348-0233-9.
•
Draeger, Donn F. Classical Budo.
Vol. II. Weatherhill. 1973.
ISBN 978-0-8348-0234-6.
•
Draeger, Donn F. Modern Bujutsu and Budo.
Vol. III. Weatherhill. 1974.
ISBN 0-8348-0351-8.
•
Friday, Karl F. Legacies of the Sword.
University of Hawai'i Press, Honolulu. 1997. ISBN
0-8248-1879-2.
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