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DEVELOPMENTAL ORDER OF MARTIAL ARTS AND WAYS

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 These ryu does no longer represent the classical ways but have developed a 'new way' later known as shin-budo 新武道 (modern martial ways).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.