DEVELOPMENTAL ORDER OF
MARTIAL ARTS AND WAYS

Classical Martial Arts (prior to 1603)
The Classical Martial Arts (ko-bujutsu) are complete systems of combat for the protection of the group devised by and for professional warriors (bushi or samurai) in the years prior to the Tokugawa Period (prior to 1603). The forms of (ko-bujutsu) was based on combat, discipline and morals. Among the Classical Martial Arts are for example kenjutsu, naginatajutsu, kyujutsu, bajutsu, and sojutsu.

Classical Martial Ways (1603-1868)
The Classical Martial Ways (Ko-budo, also called traditional budo or classical budo) 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. ^{[Dann, pp. 21, 52][Draeger, Vol.II, p. 12]}

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 the 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). Generally speaking, swordsmanship in this period was without distinction of form or content. ^{[Friday, p. 8]}

The forms of Classical Martial Ways were based on morals, discipline, and aesthetic concerns which take precedence over combative realism. In this way it is not only the weapon which decide the classification of Martial Arts or Martial Ways but the purpose, form and traning method. On the whole kenjutsu (剣術) was not synonymous with Kendo in spite of some masters of swordsmanship described their kenjutsu as Kendo. In this period kenjutsu was not an unambiguous definition. In addition Kenjutsu and Kendo were also affected by iai-jutsu and ju-jutsu.

Some ryu left their 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 These ryu does no longer represent the Classical Ways but have developed a 'new way' later known as shin-budo (Modern Martial Ways). Compared with shin-budo, the Classical Martial Ways are closer to the older samurai traditions concerning theory, method and symbolism.

Budo (武道) consists of to ideograms. Do (or michi) means 'path' or 'way' while the ideogram bu means 'military affairs, arms, bravery, martial power'. However, in the Tokugawa period, budo had far broader connotations than it does today. ^{[Friday, pp. 8, 63]}

Modern Martial Arts (after 1868)
The Modern Martial Arts (shin-bujutsu) 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 philosophy shin-bujutsu. ^{[Dann, p. 21][Draeger, Vol.III, p. 58]}

Modern Martial Ways (after 1868)
The Modern Martial Ways (shin-budo, also called modern budo) that encompasses the modern disciplines were created after the collapse of the Japanese feudal system in 1868. ^{[Draeger, Vol.III, pp. 53, 55, 57]}

Modern Martial Ways are the best known for the Japanese combative systems and have the largest number of participants. Among the Modern Martial Ways are for example aikido, judo, karate-do, kyudo, judo, naginata-do, and the modern kendo.

These modern disciplines 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. In this way it is not adequate enough to describe kenjutsu as the forerunner of the modern kendo but is rather the shinai-geiko, from the Tokugawa period (1603-1886), direct forerunner because of its the major weapon and training method. ^{[Draeger, Vol.III, p. 80]}

Classification of Japanese Martial Arts and Ways to Swordsmanship prior to 1912.
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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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DEVELOPMENTAL ORDER OF MARTIAL ARTS AND WAYS

DEVELOPMENTAL ORDER OF
MARTIAL ARTS AND WAYS