Budō

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Budō


Japanese name
Kanji: 武道
Hiragana: ぶどう

Budō (武道?) is a Japanese term describing martial arts. In English, it is used almost exclusively in reference to Japanese martial arts.

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[edit] Etymology

Budō is a compound of the word bu (武:ぶ), meaning war or martial; and dō (道:どう), meaning path or way. Specifically, dō is derived from the Buddhist Sanskrit mārga (meaning the 'path' to enlightenment).[1] The term refers to the idea of formulating propositions, subjecting them to philosophical critique and then following a 'path' to realize them.[2] Dō signifies a 'way of life'. Dō in the Japanese context, is an experiential term, experiential in the sense that practice (the way of life) is the norm to verify the validity of the discipline cultivated through a given art form. The modern budō has no external enemy, only the internal enemy, one's ego that must be fought[3] (state of Muga-mushin). Similarly to budō, bujutsu is a compound of the words bu (武), and jutsu (術:じゅつ), meaning science, craft, or art. Thus, budō is most often translated as "the way of war", or "martial way", while bujutsu is translated as "science of war" or "martial craft." However, both budō and bujutsu are used interchangeably in English with the term "martial arts". Some scholars note that an examination of the kanji for the term "bu" reveals a depiction of crossed halberds, a flick of blood, and the character for the word stop. One important interpretation among some schools of budo and bujutsu is that the term "bu" is more accurately rendered as "a means to stop the conflict". This would lead to an alternate translation of "budo" as "conflict resolution".

[edit] Budō vs. Bujutsu

It is very difficult to precisely delineate the differences between budō and bujutsu. Sometimes, the differences are considered historical; others cite differences in training methods, training philosophy, or emphasis on spiritual development. Although the distinction was first popularized in the west through the writings of Donn F. Draeger, many consider the difference a false construct with no historical basis. Some of the distinctions between the two forms are discussed below.

[edit] Gendai budo (New) vs. Koryu bujutsu (Old)

During Japan's feudal era, the word bujutsū was more commonly used to describe martial arts than the word budō.[citation needed] Today, "classical" martial arts created before the Meiji Restoration are often called koryū bujutsu (literally, "old-style martial art/science"). Correspondingly, "traditional" martial arts created during or after the Meiji Restoration are called gendai budō (literally, "modern martial way"). Gendai budō such as "judo", "kendo" and "iaido" came from koryū bujutsu such as "jujutsu", "kenjutsu" and "iaijutsu" respectively.

The transition from the classical arts (koryū bujutsu) to the traditional arts (gendai budō) was mainly due to developments in modern weaponry, which rendered many classical arts obsolete.[citation needed] Many schools of martial arts closed,[citation needed] others tried to keep the old koryū bujutsu values, and an increasing number started using the suffix "do" instead of "jutsu" to designate the modern focus of their practice. These changes marked a philosophical shift of attention from the battlefield to the promotion of spiritual, moral, physical, and martial virtues.[citation needed]

[edit] Civilian vs. Military

Many consider budō a more civilian form of martial arts, as an interpretation or evolution of the older bujutsu, which they categorize as a more militaristic style or strategy. According to this distinction, the modern civilian art de-emphasizes practicality and effectiveness in favor of personal development from a fitness or spiritual perspective. The difference is between the more "civilian" versus "military" aspects of combat and personal development. They see budō and bujutsu as representing a particular strategy or philosophy regarding combat systems, but still, the terms are rather loosely applied and often interchangeable.

[edit] Identifying an art

There is a Japanese organization which keeps official records of koryu bujutsu and gendai budo schools (ryuha). In order to know if a particular school or art belongs to any of those types, you can check the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai records.

Generally speaking, a school of martial arts chooses whatever term they feel most comfortable with. A martial arts school might choose to call their practice bujutsu, because they desire a connection with the past, or to emphasize that their art is practiced as it was during a certain point in history. A school might choose to call their practice budō to reflect an emphasis on spiritual and philosophical development, or simply to reflect that the art was developed more recently, such as aikido, which was synthesized by its founder during the early twentieth century (the older name is aikijutsu or aiki-jūjutsu, which are still in use by some martial arts). Some schools may even choose bujutsu as an express rejection of the modern emphasis on spirituality and philosophy.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Morgan, Diane (2001). The Best Guide to Eastern Philosophy and Religion. New York: Renaissance Books, p. 38. 
  2. ^ Kiyota, Minoru (1995). Kendo, Its Philosophy, History and Means to Personal Growth. Kegan Paul International, p. 15. 
  3. ^ Craig, Darrell Max (2002). Mugai Ryu - The Classical Samurai Art of Drawing the Sword. Boston, Mass.: YMAA Publication Center, p. 2. 

[edit] See also

[edit] External links