Japanese martial arts refers to the enormous variety of martial arts native to Japan. Hawaiian State Grappling Championships. ...

Late 19th century photograph of a Japanese mountain warrior-priest (yamabushi) fully robed and equipped, armed with a naginata and tachi.

Image File history File links 19th century photograph of a Yamabushi. ... Image File history File links 19th century photograph of a Yamabushi. ... Modern-day yamabushi blowing a horagai Yamabushi ) (Literally: Those who hide in the mountains) were Japanese mountain ascetics and warriors, mostly of the Shingon sect of Buddhism. ...

History

The historical origin of Japanese martial arts 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. Over time, this purpose gave way to a philosophy of achieving spiritual goals by striving to perfect their martial skills. Japanese samurai in armour, 1860s. ... The word Caste is derived from the Portuguese word casta, meaning lineage, breed or race. ... Liege or Liège has several meanings: A Liège is a classic sporting car, designed for personal assembly, by Peter Davis in Evesham, UK, and often used in Classic Trials and other long distance motoring events A liege is the person or entity to which one has pledged allegiance. ...

Disarming an attacker using a tachi-dori ("sword-taking") technique.

Ordinarily, the development of combative techniques is intertwined with the tools used to execute those techniques. In a rapidly changing world, those tools are constantly being improved upon, requiring the techniques to use them to be continuously reinvented. The history of Japan is somewhat unique in its relative isolation. Compared with the rest of the world, the Japanese tools of war evolved slowly. Many people believe that this afforded the warrior class the opportunity to study their weapons with greater depth than other cultures. Nevertheless, the teaching and training of these martial arts did evolve, first with conditions on the battlefield (archery giving way to the sword; glaive giving way to spear), then through a long period of peace, and finally into modern times. Over time two trends defined the arts - first there was increasing specialization, and second, many of the arts took on trappings of budo which implies a higher purpose than just the mastering of arms. Image File history File links PRehse002-cropped. ... Image File history File links PRehse002-cropped. ... Budo (武道) is a term for Japanese martial arts. ...

The martial arts developed or originating in Japan are extraordinarily diverse, with vast differences in training tools, methods, and philosophy across innumerable schools and styles. That said, Japanese martial arts may generally be divided into koryū and gendai budo based on whether the existed prior to or after the Meiji Restoration, respectively. Since gendai budo and koryū often share the same historical origin, one will find various types of martial arts (such as jujutsu, kenjutsu, or naginatajutsu) on both sides of the divide. KoryÅ« (古流) is a Japanese word that is used in association with the ancient Japanese martial arts. ... Gendai Budō (現代 武道) means Modern martial arts in Japanese. ... The Meiji Restoration ), also known as the Meiji Ishin, Revolution, or Renewal, was a chain of events that led to a change in Japans political and social structure. ... JÅ«jutsu training at an agricultural school in Japan around 1920 Jujutsu (also Jujitsu, Ju Jitsu, Ju Jutsu, or Jiu Jitsu; (from the Japanese jÅ«jutsu gentle/yielding/compliant Art) is a Japanese martial art that utilizes a large variety of techniques in defense against an opponent. ... Kenjutsu ), meaning the craft, art, or science of the sword, is a Japanese martial art that uses a specific methodology to teach the use of the katana (Japanese sword). ... Naginatajutsu (なぎなた術, 長刀術 or 薙刀術) is the Japanese Martial art of wielding the naginata, a weapon resembling the medieval European glaive. ...

A note on the organization of this article; it would be impossible to discuss Japanese martial arts in terms of the thousands of individual schools or styles, such as Ittō-ryū, Daitō-ryū or Tenshin Shōden Katori Shintō-ryū. Instead, major sections are divided based on when the art originated (regardless of whether it is still practiced), and subsections are dedicated to the root type of martial art, such as jujutsu (the art of empty-handed combat through use of indirect application of force) or kendo (Japanese sport fencing), wherein notable styles or major differences between styles may be discussed.

Daitō-ryū aiki-jūjutsu (大東流合気柔術), originally called Daito-ryū jujutsu (大東流柔術), is a Japanese martial art that first became widely known in the early 20th century under the headmastership of Sokaku Takeda (武田 惣角 Takeda Sōkaku). ... Tenshin Shōden Katori Shintō-ryū (天真正伝香取神道流) is one of the oldest extant martial arts in Japan, an exemplar of koryū bujutsu. ...

Koryū

Main article: Koryū.

See also: List of koryū schools of martial arts.

Koryū (古流:こりゅう, Koryū^?), meaning traditional school, or old school, refers specifically to schools of martial arts, originating in Japan, either prior to the beginning of the Meiji Restoration in 1866, or the Haitōrei edict in 1876. ^[1] The term also is used generally to indicate that a particular style or art is "traditional", rather than "modern". However, what it means for an art to be either "traditional" or "modern" is subject to some debate. As a general rule of thumb, the primary purpose of a koryū martial art was for use in war. These martial arts were developed for use in war, and were tested (either intentionally or incidentally) by the scientific method over centuries of time. The most extreme example of a koryū school is one that preserves its traditional, and often ancient, martial practices even in the absence of continuing wars in which to test them. Other koryū schools may have made modifications to their practices that reflect the passage of time (which may or may not have resulted in the loss of "koryū" status in the eyes of its peers). This is as opposed to "modern" martial arts, whose primary focus is generally upon the self-improvement (mental, physical, or spiritual) of the individual practitioner, with varying degrees of emphasis on the practical application of the martial art for either sport or self defense purposes.^{[citation needed]} KoryÅ« (古流) is a Japanese word that is used in association with the ancient Japanese martial arts. ... This is a list of schools of martial arts that are considered koryÅ« (lit. ... The Meiji Restoration ), also known as the Meiji Ishin, Revolution, or Renewal, was a chain of events that led to a change in Japans political and social structure. ... Scientific method is a body of techniques for investigating phenomena and acquiring new knowledge, as well as for correcting and integrating previous knowledge. ...

The following subsections represent not individual schools of martial arts, but rather generic "types" of martial arts. These are generally distinguishable on the basis of their training methodology and equipment, though wide variation still exists within each.

Sumo

A sumo match between Kaio Hiroyuki (博之 魁皇 Hiroyuki Kaiō, born 1972) and Arata Okabe (born 1977) in May 2005.

Main article: Sumo.

Sumo (相撲:すもう, sumō^?), considered by many to be Japan's national sport, has its origins in the distant past. The earliest written records of Japan, which are dated from the eighth century A.D., record the first sumo match in 23 B.C., occurring specifically at the request of the emperor and continuing until one man was too wounded to continue. Beginning in 728 A.D., the emperor Shōmu Tennō (聖武 天皇, 701–756) began holding official sumo matches at the annual harvest festivals. This tradition of having matches in the presence of the emperor continued, but gradually spread, with matches also held at Shinto festivals, and sumo training was eventually incorporated into military training. By the seventeenth century, sumo was an organized professional sport, open to the public, enjoyed by both the upper class and commoners. Sumo match at the Kokugikan sumo arena (Ozeki Kaio vs. ... Sumo match at the Kokugikan sumo arena (Ozeki Kaio vs. ... Kaio Hiroyuki (魁皇博之, born July 24, 1972 as Hiroyuki Koga) is a professional sumo wrestler from Fukuoka, Japan. ... Sumo ) is a competition contact sport where two wrestlers or rikishi face off in a circular area. ... Emperor Shōmu (聖武天皇 Shōmu Tennō) (701 - May 2, 756[citation needed]) was the 45th imperial ruler of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. ...

Today, sumo retains much of its traditional trappings, including a referee dressed as a Shinto priest, and a ritual where the competitors clap hands, stomp their feet, and throw salt in the ring prior to each match. To win a match, competitors employ throwing and grappling techniques to force the other man to the ground; the first man to touch the ground with a part of the body other than the bottom of the feet, or touch the ground outside the ring with any part of the body, loses. Six grand tournaments are held annually in Japan, and each professional fighter's name and relative ranking is published after each tournament in an official list, called the banzuke, which is followed religiously by sumo fans.

Jujutsu

Main article: Jujutsu.

Jujutsu training at an agricultural school in Japan around 1920.

Jujutsu (柔術:じゅうじゅつ, jūjutsu^?), literally translates to "art of pliance". More accurately, however, it means the art of using indirect force, such as joint locks or throwing techniques, to defeat an opponent, as opposed to direct force such as a punch or a kick. This is not to imply that jujutsu does not teach or employ strikes, but rather that the art's aim is the ability to use an attacker's force against him, and counter-attack where he is weakest or least defended. The earliest description of Jujitsu can be traced currently as far back as 200 B.C.E with unarmed defenders of the emperor employing Jujitsu to ward off competing tribes. [1] JÅ«jutsu training at an agricultural school in Japan around 1920 Jujutsu (also Jujitsu, Ju Jitsu, Ju Jutsu, or Jiu Jitsu; (from the Japanese jÅ«jutsu gentle/yielding/compliant Art) is a Japanese martial art that utilizes a large variety of techniques in defense against an opponent. ... Image File history File links JUJITSU_(AND_RIFLES)_in_an_agricultural_school. ... Image File history File links JUJITSU_(AND_RIFLES)_in_an_agricultural_school. ... A joint lock (in Japanese, 関節技 kansetsu-waza) is the general term for martial arts techniques involving painful manipulation of the joints. ...

Methods of combat included striking (kicking, punching), throwing (body throws, joint-lock throws, unbalance throws), restraining (pinning, strangulating, grappling, wrestling) and weaponry. Defensive tactics included blocking, evading, off balancing, blending and escaping. Minor weapons such as the tantō (dagger), ryufundo kusari (weighted chain), jutte (helmet smasher), and kakushi buki (secret or disguised weapons) were almost always included in koryū jujutsu. Two Tantō tantō blade hidden in a fan-shaped mounting A Tantō (短刀) is a Japanese knife or dagger with a blade length of about 15 - 30 cm (6 - 12). There is a disputed saying about the tantō, wakizashi, and katana stating they are The Tantō differs from the others as...

Most of these were battlefield-based systems to be practiced as companion arts to the more common and vital weapon systems. At the time, these fighting arts were used many different names, including kogusoku, yawara, kumiuchi, and hakuda. In reality, these grappling systems were not really unarmed systems of combat, but are more accurately described as means whereby an unarmed or lightly armed warrior could defeat a heavily armed and armored enemy on the battlefield. Ideally, the samurai would be armed and would not need to rely on such techniques.^{[citation needed]}

In later times, other koryū developed into systems more familiar to the practitioners of the jujutsu commonly seen today. These systems are generally designed to deal with opponents neither wearing armor nor in a battlefield environment. For this reason, they include extensive use of atemi waza (vital-striking technique). These tactics would be of little use against an armored opponent on a battlefield. They would, however, be quite valuable to anyone confronting an enemy or opponent during peacetime dressed in normal street attire. Occasionally, inconspicuous weapons such as knives or tessen (iron fans) were included in the curriculum.^{[citation needed]}

Today, jujutsu is practiced in many forms, both ancient and modern. Various methods of jujutsu have been incorporated or synthesized into judo and aikido, as well as being exported throughout the world and transformed into sport wrestling systems, adopted in whole or part by schools of karate or other unrelated martial arts, still practiced as they were centuries ago, or all of the above.

Swordsmanship

Swordsmanship, the art of the sword, is believed by many to be the paramount martial art, surpassing all others. Regardless of the truth of that belief, the sword itself has been the subject of stories and legends through virtually all cultures in which it has been employed as a tool for violence. In Japan, the use of the katana is no different. Although originally the most important skills of the warrior class were skill at riding a horse and shooting the bow, this eventually gave way to swordsmanship. The earliest swords, which can be dated as far back as the Kofun era (3rd and 4th centuries) were primarily straight bladed. According to legend, curved swords made strong by the famous folding process were first forged by the smith Amakuni Yasutsuna (天國 安綱, c.700 AD). More accurate sources explain that the folding process was brought to Japan from China. Diagram showing the parts of a katana Katana (刀) is the word for sword in the Japanese language. ... Kofun period (Japanese: 古墳時代, Kofun-jidai) is an era in the history of Japan from around AD 250 to 538. ...

Two katana on display. The one on top has been stripped of most of its "furniture" (parts comprising the handle and hilt).

The primary development of the sword occurred between 987 A.D. and 1597 A.D. This development is characterized by profound artistry during peaceful eras, and renewed focus on durability, utility, and mass production during the intermittent periods of warfare, most notably civil warfare during the 12th century and Mongolian invasion during the 13th century (which in particular saw the transition from mostly horseback archery to hand to hand ground fighting). Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1600x1200, 920 KB) 2006年、投稿者自身による撮影。日本刀 岡山城にて from ja wp (削除) (最新版) 2006年2月8日 (水) 13:49 . ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1600x1200, 920 KB) 2006年、投稿者自身による撮影。日本刀 岡山城にて from ja wp (削除) (最新版) 2006年2月8日 (水) 13:49 . ... The Kamakura period (Japanese: 鎌倉時代, Kamakura-jidai; 1185–1333) is a period of Japanese history that marks the governance of the Kamakura Shogunate; officially established in 1192 by the first Kamakura shogun Minamoto no Yoritomo. ... The Samurai Suenaga facing Mongol arrows and bombs. ...

This development of the sword is paralleled by the development of the methods used to wield it. During times of peace, the warriors trained with the sword, and invented new ways to implement it. During war, these theories were tested. After the war ended, those who survived examined what worked and what didn't, and passed their knowledge on. In 1600 A.D., Tokugawa Ieyasu (徳川 家康, 1543–1616) gained total control of all of Japan, and the country entered a period of prolonged peace that would last until the First World War. During this period, the techniques to use the sword underwent a transition from a primarily utilitarian art for killing, to one encompassing a philosophy of personal development and spiritual perfection. Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu The Tokugawa clan crest Tokugawa Ieyasu (previously spelled Iyeyasu); 徳川 家康 (January 31, 1543 – June 1, 1616) was the founder and first shogun of the Tokugawa shogunate of Japan which ruled from the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600 until the Meiji Restoration in 1868. ... WWI may be an acronym for: World War I World Wrestling Industry This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists pages that might otherwise share the same title. ...

The terminology used to describe the Japanese art of swordsmanship is somewhat ambiguous. Many names have been used to describe various aspects of the art, or to encompass the art as a whole.

Kenjutsu

Main article: Kenjutsu.

Kenjutsu (剣術:けんじゅつ, Kenjutsu^?) literally means "the art/science of the sword". Although the term has been used as a general term to refer to swordsmanship as a whole, modernly, "kenjutsu" is more often used to refer to the specific aspect of swordsmanship dealing with partnered sword training. It is the oldest form of training, and at its simplest level, consists of two partners with swords drawn, practicing combat drills. Historically practiced with bokken (wooden katana), this most often consists of pre-determined forms, called kata, or sometimes called kumitachi, and similar to the partner drills practiced in kendo. Among advanced students, kenjutsu training may also include increasing degrees of freestyle practice. Kenjutsu ), meaning the craft, art, or science of the sword, is a Japanese martial art that uses a specific methodology to teach the use of the katana (Japanese sword). ... A pair of bokken A bokken (, bok(u), wood, and ken, sword), is a wooden Japanese sword used for training, usually the size and shape of a katana, but sometimes shaped like other swords. ... Kata may mean: Kata (martial arts), a pattern of defense-and-attack Katirs, alternative name for the tribal group Afghanistan Kata (mathematics), a direction of the fourth spatial dimension Kata (company), an Israeli company manufacturing photo equipment protection cases and military items An abbreviation for Katakana character set in the...

Battōjutsu

Main article: Battōjutsu.

Battōjutsu (抜刀術:ばっとうじゅつ, Battōjutsu^?), literally meaning "the art/science of drawing a sword", and developed in the mid-15th century, is the aspect of swordsmanship focused upon the efficient draw of the sword, cutting down one's enemy, and returning the sword to its saya (scabbard). The term came into use specifically during the Warring States Period (15th–17th cent.). Closely related to, but predating iaijutsu, battōjutsu training emphasizes defensive counter-attacking. Battōjutsu training technically incorporates kata, but generally consist of only a few moves, focusing on stepping up to an enemy, drawing, performing one or more cuts, and sheathing the weapon. Battōjutsu exercises tend to lack the elaborateness, as well as the aethetic considerations of iaijutsu or iaidō kata. Finally, note that use of the name alone is not dispositive; what is battōjutsu to one school may be iaijutsu to another. Battōjutsu ) is a sword-based Japanese martial art. ... Saya can be either: a sword sheath for a katana. ... A scabbard is a sheath for holding a sword. ... Alternative meaning: Warring States Period (Japan) The Warring States Period (Traditional Chinese: 戰國時代; Simplified Chinese: 战国时代; Pinyin: Zhànguó Shídài) covers the period from sometime in the 5th century BC to the unification of China by the Qin in 221 BC. It is nominally considered to be the second part...

Iaijutsu and Iaidō

Main article: Iaidō.

Iaijutsu (居合術:いあいじゅつ, Iaijutsu^?), approximately "the art/science of mental presence and immediate reaction", is also the Japanese martial art of drawing the sword. However, unlike battōjutsu, iaijutsu tends to be technically more complex, and there is a much stronger focus upon perfecting form. The primary technical aspects smooth, controlled movements of drawing the sword from its scabbard, striking or cutting an opponent, removing blood from the blade, and then replacing the sword in the scabbard. Respect shown to the sword (To·ne·rei) before and after practice. ...

Iaidō (居合道:いあいどう, Iaidō^?), which would be "the way of mental presence and immediate reaction", is frequently identical to iaijutsu. The replacement of jutsu with dō is part of the 20th century emphasis upon personal and spiritual development; an evolution that took place in many martial arts. In the case of iaidō, some schools merely changed in name without altering the curriculum, and others embraced the wholesale change from a combat-orientation to spiritual growth.

Archery

Archery, the art of wielding the bow, was originally the primary art of the Japanese warrior class. Warfare was conducted with the armies almost entirely mounted, and the ability to fire a bow while riding a horse was of paramount importance. Archery declined with the advent of firearms and the adoption of massed tactics in battle. A bow is ancient weapon that shoots arrows powered by the elasticity of the bow. ...

Naginatajutsu

A samurai wielding a naginata.

Main article: Naginatajutsu.

Naginatajutsu (長刀術:なぎなたじゅつ, Naginatajutsu^?) is the Japanese martial art of wielding the naginata, a weapon resembling the medieval European glaive. Most naginata practice today is in a modernized form, a gendai budo called naginata-do or atarashii naginata (new naginata), in which competitions also are held. Image File history File links Samurai_with_Naginata. ... Image File history File links Samurai_with_Naginata. ... Naginatajutsu (なぎなた術, 長刀術 or 薙刀術) is the Japanese Martial art of wielding the naginata, a weapon resembling the medieval European glaive. ... A samurai wielding a naginata Naginata (なぎなた, 長刀 or 薙刀) is a pole weapon that was traditionally used in Japan by members of the samurai class. ... A glaive is a polearm consisting of a single-edged blade on the end of a pole. ... Gendai Budō (現代 武道) means Modern martial arts in Japanese. ...

Sōjutsu

Main article: Sōjutsu.

Sōjutsu (槍術:そうじゅつ, Sōjutsu^?) is the art of fighting with the Japanese spear, yari (槍). Sōjutsu (槍術, sometimes incorrectly read as yarijutsu) is the art of fighting with the Japanese spear, yari (槍). Sōjutsu is typically only a single component of curriculum in comprehensive Japanese koryu schools; for example Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto-ryu includes spear fighting techniques. ... Hunting spear and knife, from Mesa Verde National Park. ... several yari, including one hafted with a simple crossbar straight yari head with saya Jumonji yari head use of yari in mock combat Yari (槍) is the Japanese term for spear, or more specifically, the straight-headed spear. ...

Other Koryū Martial Arts

Samurai with assorted weapons.

The original martial art schools of Japan were almost entirely sogo (comprehensive) bujutsu. With the long peace of the Tokugawa shogunate there was an increase in specialization with many schools identifying themselves with particular major battle field weapons. However, there were many additional weapons employed by the warriors of feudal Japan, and an art to wielding each. Usually they are studied as secondary or tertiary weapons within a school but there are exceptions. Most notable of these exceptions is Jojutsu - the art of weilding a short staff. ImageMetadata File history File links Samurai_with_weapons_-_Kusakabe,_Kimbei,_1841-1934. ... ImageMetadata File history File links Samurai_with_weapons_-_Kusakabe,_Kimbei,_1841-1934. ... The Tokugawa shogunate or Tokugawa bakufu (徳川幕府) (also known as the Edo bakufu) was a feudal military dictatorship of Japan established in 1603 by Tokugawa Ieyasu and ruled by the shoguns of the Tokugawa family until 1868. ... Jojutsu (Japanese:杖術) or Jodo is a Japanese martial art using staves (jo), similar to bojutsu, in defense against the Japanese sword. ...

Gendai Budō

Main article: Gendai budō.

Gendai budō (現代武道:げんだいぶどう, Gendai budō^?), literally meaning "modern martial way", is a generic term used to describe Japanese martial arts that are considered "modern". That is, either the art was founded after the beginning of the Meiji Restoration in 1866, or an art practiced since before 1866 changed its methodology in such a way that it lost koryū status, and is now considered gendai budō. For example, aikido and judo are examples of gendai budō that were founded in the modern era, while iaidō represents the modernization of a practice that has existed for centuries. Gendai budō (現代 武道) is a Japanese expression that is used to define the modern Japanese martial arts. ...

The core difference is, as was explained under "koryū", above, that koryū arts are practiced as they were when their primary utility was for use in war, while the primary purpose of gendai budō is for self-improvement, with application as a secondary purpose. Additionally, many of the gendai budō have included a modern sporting element to them. Judo and kendo are both good examples of this.

Judo

Judoka executing a throw.

Main article: Judo.

Judo (柔道:じゅうどう, jūdō^?), literally meaning "gentle way" or "way of softness", is a modern martial art, practiced primarily as a sport, and is a form of wrestling. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (750x984, 69 KB) Summary A throw in Judo. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (750x984, 69 KB) Summary A throw in Judo. ... Judo , gentle way) is a martial art, combat sport, and philosophy which originated in Japan. ... This article is about all wrestling. ...

Judo was created by Kano Jigoro (嘉納 治五郎 Kanō Jigorō, 1860 – 1938) at the end of the nineteenth century. Kano was a brilliant martial artist educated at the Tokyo Imperial University. The combination of martial talent and formal education enabled Kano to take the koryū martial arts he learned (specifically Kito-ryū and Tenjin Shin'yo-ryū jujutsu), and systematicaly reinvent them into a martial art with an emphasis on freestyle pracice and competition. Kano devised a powerful system of new techniques and training methods, which famously culminated on June 11, 1886, in a tournament that would later be dramatized by celebrated Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa, in the film "Sanshiro Sugata" (1943). In that tournament, fifteen of Kano's students faced fifteen students from a rival jujutsu school. The result was two losses, one draw, and twelve victories for the judo students.^{[citation needed]} Dr. Jigoro Kano (嘉納 治五郎 Kanō Jigorō, 1860 in Kobe, Japan - 1938) founded the sport of Judo. ... The Yasuda Auditorium on the University of Tokyos Hongo Campus. ... The Kito-ryÅ« school of jujutsu is a koryu martial art whose syllabus comprises of atemi-waza (striking techniques), nage-waza (throwing techniques), kansetsu-waza (joint locking techniques) and shime-waza (choking techniques). ... Tenjin Shinyo-ryu can be classified as a koryu (traditional) form of jujutsu. ... Akira Kurosawa , 23 March 1910—6 September 1998) was a prominent Japanese film director, film producer, and screenwriter. ... Sanshiro Sugata (姿三四郎 Sugata Sanshirō; aka Judo Saga) is a 1943 film written and directed by Akira Kurosawa, based on a novel by Tomita Tsuneo. ...

Judo became an Olympic sport in 1964, and has spread throughout the world. Kano Jigoro's original school, the "Kodokan", has students worldwide, and many other schools have been founded by Kano's students. Of particular note is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, which traces its history back to Kodokan judo practictioner Mitsuyo Maeda (1880 – 1941), who emigrated to Brazil in the early twentieth century and taught his judo there. Today, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a practice distinct from Olympic judo, which is the predominant form of judo practiced.^{[citation needed]} Olympics redirects here. ... 1964 (MCMLXIV) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (the link is to a full 1964 calendar). ... Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is a martial art and combat sport that focuses on grappling and especially ground fighting with the goal of gaining a dominant position from which to force an attacker to submit. ... Mitsuyo Maeda was a Japanese judoka, catch wrestler and prize-fighter often referred to as Count Combat (or Conde Koma in Brazil, although he actually earned the nickname in Spain by 1908). ...

Judo contains the substantially same emphasis on the personal, spiritual, and physical self-improvement of its practitioners as can be found throughout gendai budo.

Kendo

Kendo at an agricultural school in Japan around 1920.

Main article: Kendo.

Kendo (剣道:けんどう, kendō^?), meaning the "way of the sword", is the sport of Japanese fencing.-1... -1... Kendo ) or way of the sword, is the martial art of Japanese fencing. ... In the broadest possible sense, fencing is the art and science of armed combat involving cutting, stabbing, or bludgeoning weapons directly manipulated by hand, rather than shot or thrown (in other words, swords, knives, pikes, bayonets, batons, clubs, and so on). ...

Aikido

Main article: Aikido.

Aikido (合氣道:あいきどう, aikidō^?) is a gendai budō, a modern Japanese martial art, developed by Morihei Ueshiba (植芝 盛平 Ueshiba Morihei, 1883 – 1969). The art consists of "striking", "throwing," and "joint locking" techniques and is known for its fluidity and blending with an attacker, rather than meeting "force with force". Emphasis is upon joining with the rhythm and intent of the opponent in order to find the optimal position and timing with which to apply force. Aikido is also known for emphasizing the spiritual and philosophical development of its students reflecting the religious background of its founder. Aikido ) is a gendai budō, a modern Japanese martial art, developed by Morihei Ueshiba. ... Morihei Ueshiba 植芝盛平 (December 14, 1883 – April 26, 1969) was a famous martial artist and founder of aikido. ...

Morihei Ueshiba developed aikido mainly from Daitō-ryū aiki-jūjutsu, incorporating training movements such as those for the yari (spear), jō (a short quarterstaff), and perhaps also juken (bayonet). Arguably the strongest influence is that of kenjutsu and in many ways, an aikido practitioner moves as an empty handed swordsman. Daitō-ryÅ« aiki-jÅ«jutsu (大東流合気柔術), originally called Daito-ryÅ« jujutsu (大東流柔術), is a Japanese martial art that first became widely known in the early 20th century under the headmastership of Sokaku Takeda (武田 惣角 Takeda Sōkaku). ... several yari, including one hafted with a simple crossbar straight yari head with saya Jumonji yari head use of yari in mock combat Yari (槍) is the Japanese term for spear, or more specifically, the straight-headed spear. ... Hunting spear and knife, from Mesa Verde National Park. ... A jō (杖:じょう) is an approximately four-foot (1. ... Quarterstaffs in use, from Old English Sports, Pastimes and Customs, published 1891 A quarterstaff is a medieval English variant of the staff weapon, consisting of a long shaft of hardwood, sometimes with metal-reinforced tips. ... The US Marine Corps OKC-3S Bayonet A bayonet (from French baïonnette) is a knife- or dagger-shaped weapon designed to fit on or over the muzzle of a rifle barrel or similar weapon. ... Kenjutsu ), meaning the craft, art, or science of the sword, is a Japanese martial art that uses a specific methodology to teach the use of the katana (Japanese sword). ...

Kyūdō

A full draw, called "kai".

Main article: Kyūdō.

Kyūdō (弓道:きゅうどう, Kyūdō^?), meaning the "way of the bow", is the sport of Japanese archery. Kyudo (弓道) (The Way of the Bow) is the Japanese art of archery. ... These arrows score as an inner 10 (X), and a 9 Archery is the practice of using a bow to shoot arrows. ...

Karate

Main article: Karate.

Karate (空手:からて, Karate^?) means "empty hand". Originally, it meant "Tang Hand", i.e. Chinese hand, Tang Dynasty being a Dynasty during 7th-10th century China. However, the name was changed during World War II during Japan's war with China. Strictly speaking, it is not a Japanese martial art, but rather it is an art that has been adopted and changed by the Japanese. Karate originated on the island of Okinawa. It is a fusion of pre-existing Okiniwanan martial arts, called "ti", and Chinese martial arts. Indeed, the word "karate" was originally a generic term for Chinese martial arts, and written with homophonic characters meaning "China hand", rather than empty hand. This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... For the band, see Tang Dynasty (band). ... For the band, see Tang Dynasty (band). ... Combatants Major Allied powers: United Kingdom France Soviet Union United States Republic of China and others Major Axis powers: Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Winston Churchill Charles de Gaulle Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Chiang Kai-Shek Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki Tojo Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian... Combatants Republic of China Empire of Japan Commanders Chiang Kai-shek, Mao Tse-Tung, Yan Xishan, Feng Yuxiang, Zhu De, He Yingqin Hideki Tojo, Matsui Iwane, Jiro Minami, Kesago Nakajima, Toshizo Nishio, Yasuji Okamura. ... This article is about the prefecture. ... This article provides a general overview of Chinese martial arts. ... In music, the word texture is often used in a rather vague way in reference to the overall sound of a piece of music. ...

Karate's route to Japan began with Gichin Funakoshi (船越 義珍 Funakoshi Gichin, 1868–1957), who is called the father of modern karate, and is the founder of Shotokan karate. Although some Okinawan karate practitioners were already living and teaching in Japan, Funakoshi gave public demonstrations of karate in Japan at a physical education exhibition sponsored by the ministry of education 1917, and again in 1922. As a result, Karate training was subsequently incorporated into Japan's public school system. It was also at this time that the white unforms and the kyū/dan ranking system (both originally implemented by judo's founder, Kano Jigoro) were adopted. Gichin Funakoshi (船越 義珍 Funakoshi Gichin, 1868–1957) was an Okinawan karate master who formally introduced karate to the Japanese mainland in 1921. ... Shotokan (松涛館 Shōtōkan), literally, the house of pine waves, is a school of karate, developed from various martial arts by master Gichin Funakoshi (1868-1957) and his son Yoshitaka. ... KyÅ« (ç´š:きゅう) is a Japanese term used in martial arts, chadō, ikebana, go, shogi and in other similar activities to designate various degrees or levels of proficiency or experience. ... // Definition Dan rank is a Japanese mark of level, used in several cultural activities of Japanese origin. ...

Karate practice is primarily characterized by linear punching and kicking techniques executed from a stable, fixed stance. Many styles of karate practiced today incorporate the forms (kata) originally developed by Funakoshi and his teachers, and many different weapons originally used as farm implements by the peasants of Okinawa, such as the sai (large fork), kama (sickle), and bō (quarterstaff). Many modern karate practitioners also participate in full, light, and no-contact competitions. Sai may be: Sai (weapon), a weapon used in certain martial arts, of Okinawan origin Sai (game), a variant of the game Mancala. ... Kama may refer to several things Kama, a Hindu god The term Kama also refers to one of the 4 goals of life according to Hindu traditions (Purusharthas) - these include Dharma, artha, kama, and moksha The Kama River, a tributary of the Volga river, in Russia Kama, sickle-like weapons...