Japanese martial arts
Japanese martial arts refers to the enormous variety of martial arts native to Japan. At least three Japanese terms are often used interchangeably with the English phrase "Japanese martial arts": "budo", literally meaning "martial way", Template:Nihongo, which has no perfect translation but means something like science, art, or craft of war, and Template:Nihongo, literally meaning "martial art."  The term "budo" is a modern one, and is normally intended to indicate the practice of martial arts as a way of life, and encompassing physical, spiritual, and moral dimensions with a focus of self-improvement, fulfillment, or personal growth.  The terms "bujutsu" and "bugei" have more discrete definitions, at least historically speaking.  Bujutsu refers specifically to the practical application of martial tactics and techniques in actual combat. Bugei refers to the adaptation or refinement of those tactics and techniques to facilitate systematic instruction and dissemination within a formal learning environment.

# 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.
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.
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 koryu and gendai budo based on whether they existed prior to or after the Meiji Restoration, respectively.  Since gendai budo and koryu 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.

# Koryu
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 koryu martial art was for use in war.  The most extreme example of a koryu 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 koryu 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 "koryu" 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 defence purposes.
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
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
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 tanto (dagger), ryufundo kusari (weighted chain), jutte (helmet smasher), and kakushi buki (secret or disguised weapons) were almost always included in koryu jujutsu.
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.
In later times, other koryu 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.
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, has an almost mythological ethos, and is believed by some 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 ( , c.700 AD).
Other sources explain that the folding process was brought to Japan from China.
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).
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 ( , 15431616) 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.
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

### Battojutsu

### Iaijutsu and Iaido

## Naginatajutsu
However, many koryu maintain naginatajutsu in their corriculum. Also of note, during the late Edo period, naginata were used to train women and ladies in waiting. Thus, most naginatajutsu styles are headed by women and most naginata practitioners in Japan are women. This has led to the notion that naginatajutsu is a martial art that was not used by male warriors. In fact, naginatajutsu was developed by the warrior monks of early medieval Japan and was widely used by samurai.

## Sojutsu

## Other koryu martial arts
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 were studied as secondary or tertiary weapons within a school but there are exceptions, such as the art of wielding the short staff, (jojutsu) which was the primary art taught by the Shinto Muso-ryu.
Other arts existed to teach military skills other than the use of weaponry.  Examples of these include marine skills such as swimming and river-fording (suieijutsu), firestarting and demolition (kajutsu), horsemanship (bajutsu).

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

## Judo
Judo was created by Kano Jigoro (  Kano Jigoro, 18601938) at the end of the 19th 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 koryu martial arts he learned (specifically Kito-ryu and Tenjin Shin'yo-ryu jujutsu), and systematically reinvent them into a martial art with an emphasis on  freestyle practice 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 (  Kurosawa Akira, 19101998), 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.
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 practitioner Mitsuyo Maeda (18801941), 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.

## Kendo
Today, virtually the entire practice of kendo is governed by the All Japan Kendo Federation, founded in 1951. Competitions are judged by points, with the first competitor to score two points on his opponent declared the winner.  One point may be scored with a successful and properly executed strike to any of several targets: a thrust to the throat, or a strike to the top of the head, sides of the head, sides of the body, or forearms.  Practitioners also compete in forms (kata) competitions, using either wooden or blunted metal swords, according to a set of forms promulgated by the AJKF.

## Aikido
Morihei Ueshiba developed aikido mainly from Daito-ryu aiki-jujutsu, incorporating training movements such as those for the yari (spear), jo (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.

## Kyudo
However, from the 16th century onward, firearms slowly displaced the bow as the dominant battlefield weapon. As the bow lost its significance as a weapon of war, and under the influence of Buddhism, Shinto, Daoism and Confucianism, Japanese archery evolved into Kyudo, the Way of the Bow. In some schools Kyudo is practiced as a highly refined contemplative practice, while in other schools it is practiced as a modern day sport.

## Karate
Karate's route to Japan began with Gichin Funakoshi (  Funakoshi Gichin, 18681957), 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 uniforms and the kyu/dan ranking system (both originally implemented by judo's founder, Kano Jigoro) were adopted.
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, sickle (kama), and quarterstaff (bo). Many modern karate practitioners also participate in full, light, and no-contact competitions.

# Philosophical and strategic concepts

## Aiki
The principle of Template:Nihongo is particularly difficult to describe or explain. The most simple translation of aiki, as "joining energy", belies its philosophical depth.  Generally, it is the principle of matching your opponent in order to defeat him.  It is this concept of "matching", or "joining", or even "harmonizing" (all valid interpretations of ai) that contains the complexity.  One may "match" the opponent in a clash of force, possibly even resulting in a mutual kill.  This is not aiki.  Aiki is epitomized by the notion of joining physically and mentally with the opponent for the express purpose of avoiding a direct clash of force.  In practice, aiki is achieved by first joining with the motion of the opponent (the physical aspect) as well as the intent (the mental portion), then overcoming the will of the opponent, redirecting their motion and intent.
Historically, this principle was used for destructive purposes; to seize an advantage and kill one's opponent. The modern art of aikido is founded upon the principle that the control of the opponent achieved by the successful application of aiki may be used to defeat one's opponent without harming them.

## Attitude
Kokoro (:) is a concept that crosses through many martial arts, but has no single discrete meaning.  In context, it means something like "heart," "character," or "attitude."  Character is a central concept in karate, and in keeping with the do nature of modern karate, there is a great emphasis on improving oneself. It is often said that the art of karate is for self-defense; not injuring one's opponent is the highest expression of the art.  Some popularly repeated quotes implicating this concept include:

## Budo
Literately "the way of war" used in a similar way as Martial arts but specifically relating to Japanese arts.

## Bushido
A code of honor, in principle similar to chivalry but culturally very different.

## Courtesy
Shigeru Egami:
Words that I have often heard are that "everything begins with rei and ends with rei." The word itself, however, can be interpreted in several ways; it is the rei of reigi, meaning "etiquette, courtesy, politeness," and it is also the rei of keirei, "salutation" or "bow." The meaning of rei is sometimes explained in terms of kata or katachi ("formal exercises" and "form" or "shape" ). It is of prime importance not only in karate but in all martial arts. For our purposes here, let us understand rei as the ceremonial bow in which courtesy and decorum are manifest.
He who would follow the way of karate must be courteous, not only in training but in daily life. While humble and gentle, he should never be servile. His performance of the kata should reflect boldness and confidence. This seemingly paradoxical combination of boldness and gentleness leads ultimately to harmony. It is true, as Master Funakoshi used to say, that the spirit of karate would be lost without courtesy.

## Kiai
A term describing a 'fighting spirit'.

## Hard and soft methods
There are two underlying strategic methodologies to the application of force in Japanese martial arts. One is the Template:Nihongo, and the other is the Template:Nihongo. Implicit these concepts is their separate but equal and interrelated nature, in keeping with their philosophical relationship to the Chinese principles of yin and yang (Jap.: in and yo).
The hard method is characterized by the direct application of counter-force to an opposing force. In practice, this may be a direct attack, consisting of movement directly towards the opponent, coinciding with a strike towards the opponent.  A defensive technique where the defender stands his ground to block or parry (directly opposing the attack by stopping it or knocking it aside) would be an example of a hard method of defense. Hard method techniques are generally conceptualized as being linear.
The soft method is characterized by the indirect application of force, which either avoids or redirects the opposing force.  For example, receiving an attack by slipping past it, followed by adding force to the attacker's limb for the purpose of unbalancing an attacker is an example of soft method. Soft method techniques are generally conceptualized as being circular.
These definitions give rise to the often illusory distinction between "hard-style" and "soft-style" martial arts.  In truth, most styles technically practice both, regardless of their internal nomenclature.  Analyzing the difference in accordance with yin and yang principles, philosophers would assert that the absence of either one would render the practitioner's skills unbalanced or deficient, as yin and yang alone are each only half of a whole.

## Openings, initiative and timing
Openings, initiative, and timing are deeply interrelated concepts applicable to self defense and competitive combat. They each describe different considerations relevant to successfully initiating or countering an attack.
In Japanese martial arts, Template:Nihongo refers to "the decisive moment when a killing action is initiated."
There are two types of initiative in Japanese martial arts, Template:Nihongo, and Template:Nihongo. Each type of initiative complements the other, and has different advantages and weaknesses. Early initiative is the taking advantage of an opening in an opponent's guard or concentration (see suki, supra). To fully take the early initiative, the attack launched must be with total commitment and lacking in any hesitation, and virtually ignoring the possibility of a counter-attack by the opponent. Late initiative involves an active attempt to induce an attack by the opponent that will create a weakness in the opponent's defenses, often by faking an opening that is too enticing for the opponent to pass up.
All of the above concepts are integrated into the idea of the combat Template:Nihongo. Maai is a complex concept, incorporating not just the distance between opponents, but also the time it will take to cross the distance,  and angle and rhythm of attack. It is specifically the exact "position" from which one opponent can strike the other, after factoring in the above elements. For example, a faster opponent's maai is farther away than a slower opponent. It is ideal for one opponent to maintain maai while preventing the other from doing so.
The Three Attacks
- Go no sen - meaning late attack involves a defensive or counter movement in response to an attack.
- Sen no sen - a defensive initiative launched simultaneously with the attack of the opponent.
- Sensen no sen - an initiative launched in anticipation of an attack where the opponent is fully committed to his attack and thus psychologically beyond the point of no return.

## States of mind: empty, immovable, and remaining

# Pedagogy

## Schools
Literally meaning "flow" in Japanese, is the term used to describe a particular school of an art.

## Instructors

## Seniors and juniors
The relationship between Template:Nihongo and Template:Nihongo is one with its origins not in martial arts, but rather in Japanese culture generally. It underlies Japanese interpersonal relationships in many contexts, such as business, school, and sports. It has become part of the teaching process in Japanese martial arts schools. A senior student is senior to all students who either began training after him, or who he outranks. The role of the senior student is crucial to the indoctrination of the junior students to etiquette, work ethic, and other virtues important to the school. The junior student is expected to treat his seniors with respect, and plays an important role in giving the senior students the opportunity to learn leadership skills.  Senior students may or may not teach formal classes, but in every respect their role is as a teacher to the junior students, by example and by providing encouragement.

## Ranking systems
There are ultimately two systems of ranking students in Japanese martial arts, although some schools have been known to blend these systems together. The old system was organized by a series of scrolls that would be passed down within a school. On the scrolls would be a list of the school's techniques, and the scrolls awarded to advanced students would list the more advanced techniques. This would culminate in the student achieving a "license of total transmission" (menkyo kaiden), which was a license permitting the student to teach the school's martial art outside of the school.
The modern system (dan'i), the invention of which is credited to judo founder Kano Jigoro, awards belts in accordance with students reaching a particular rank. Students progress by promotion through a series of "grades" (kyu), followed by a series of "degrees" (dan), pursuant to formal testing procedures. Some arts use only white and black belts to distinguish between skill levels, while others use a progression of colored belts for kyu levels.

## Forms
It has often been said that forms (kata) are the backbone of the martial arts. Nevertheless, different schools and styles put a varying amount of emphasis upon their practice.

## Warrior's pilgrimage