Gendai Budō

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Gendai budō (現代武道, Gendai budō^?), meaning "modern martial way", is a Japanese expression that is used to define the modern Japanese martial arts.

1 Scope and tradition
2 Teaching Methods
3 Organization
4 Criticism
5 References
6 See also

[edit] Scope and tradition

aikido

This term is used to describe the Japanese martial arts that were established after the Meiji Restoration, which occurred from 1866 to 1869. They would therefore include such arts as aikido, judo, jūkendō, iaidō, karate, kendo, kyūdō, atarashii naginata, and shorinji kempo. Certain ryūha of these arts, however, can be classified as koryū, having been established before the Meiji Restoration (for example, Musō Jikiden Eishin-ryūha of iaidō is more than 400 years old).

The Japanese art of sumo is often defined as gendai budō. This definition is incorrect, however, as sumo is in fact, an ancient art that has attained popularity and media coverage in the modern era.

Gendai budō often have origins in koryū, or the traditional Japanese martial arts. For example, Kano Jigoro (嘉納治五郎 Kanō Jigorō, 1860–1938) founded judo in part as an attempt to systematize the myriad traditions of jujutsu which existed at the time. Kendo similarly derives from the many schools of kenjutsu that evolved over the centuries.

Gendai budō generally stress martial arts as a study of life principles, for example as a means to refine one's approach to conflict or danger. Most therefore agree that it is improper to classify koryū as nothing more than fighting techniques, or to classify budō as merely a show or game. Rather, this perspective suggests that both koryū and gendai budō contain elements of both dō (path, with spiritual overtones) and jutsu (technique). Many martial artists see the two as fundamentally interconnected. The difference in emphasis may nonetheless manifest in various ways, such as the prevalence and content of lectures from the instructor.

[edit] Teaching Methods

Traditional koryū teaching methods emphasized a sharp and observant mind in the student. Sometimes the teacher would merely demonstrate a technique once and then withdraw to let the students piece it together themselves. The detailed, repeated, and "scientific" explanations of many gendai budō are a marked contrast to this style. This fuels many debates about martial arts pedagogy, and much inquiry into how teachers of either koryū and budō can make their particular type of instruction effective.

[edit] Organization

One major departure from koryū was the introduction of kyū and dan rankings, along with (in some dojo) colored belts. These rankings replaced the various certificates awarded within koryū. Gendai budō also generally do not contain the same strong entrance oaths and rituals as koryū, such as the keppan ("blood oath"). Whereas in most gendai budō dojo all are welcome provided they follow basic rules of conduct, koryū instructors often strictly scrutinize candidates. (Of course, both groups contain variance based on individual instructor and circumstance.)

[edit] Criticism

Some believe that gendai budō are inferior to koryū, for example because they are seen as having abandoned authenticity and severity in favor of a "friendly" approach. Gendai budō which are practiced in whole or in part as sports are considered particularly controversial. However, many believe that they are simply two different ways of practicing martial arts, each having unique traits, and each capable of good or ill based upon the practitioner.^[1]