SAMURAI AND MARTIAL ARTS
Kendo and Iaido (剣道, 居合道)
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In the second half of 1800s, 10 different ways of “kata” were put together and practiced by the police, this was the birth of Kendo. Before the introduction of Kendo’s safe Buso (Armor) and Shonai (Split Bamboo sword), samurai would have trained in styles like Iaijutsu, Kenjutsu and battojutsu. The biggest difference between iaido and kendo is the way practitioners strike. Kendo is a type of sport where the practitioner lightly hits the head of the opponent with a bamboo stick from above to get a point. Iaido is a training method with a metal sword and it is a simulation of cutting the enemy’s body that involves slashing and pulling the sword with force to deepen the cut.
Kyudo (弓道)
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Aikido (合気道)
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Karate (空手)
It is presumed that martial arts were first born in the Shaolin Temple of China during the 6th century when Bodydharma taught monks several exercise techniques to energize their bodies after long meditation sessions. These techniques found their way to Okinawan Islands in various forms and Karate emerged there in the 16th century after locals were banned from owning weapons. Initially, Karate was actually used against the samurai forces by the commoners of the Okinawa island (Referred to as Ryukyu in Japanese history). When the Satsuma clan invaded Okinawa, locals tried to defend themselves against armed samurai. This would include hard physical training to toughen the body up. Kara-te means empty hand (no weapon) and it will be officially part of the Tokyo Olympics in 2020(1).Naginatajutsu (長刀術)
The way of using naginata. Naginata is Japanese style pole arm where a katana-line blade is placed on the tip of a long stick. It was often practiced by the samurai as it is longer than a sword and more practical than a spear. It was first born as a weapon for the horsemen.During the Edo period it became the symbol of the women samurai as they practiced it to protect the household if their husbands or sons die in a battle. Female samurais are called onna-bugeisha, they knew how to fight but their presence in the battles especially after the 14th century is questioned. During the Heian period there were famous female samurais, the most well known is Tomoe Gozen.Judo (柔道)
It means the gentle way. Kano Jigoro (1860-1938) was the founder of modern Judo having originally learned Jujutsu by observing many master practitioners. Kano founded his first Dojo in 1882, the Kodokan Dojo. This Dojo was in the Eisho-Ji temple in Shitaya-ward, Tokyo.This sport of Judo today has thousands of practitioners all over the world thanks to the great technique and teaching styles of the art.
Jiu jutsu (柔術)
Jiu jitsu roughly translates to “Gentle Techniques.” This style of teaching would have originated for samurai to use either in self defense or on the battlefield in full combat. Although back in the days of the samurai they would have not used the word Jujutsu, this is an umbrella term for the style of combat (Similar to wrestling) the samurai would have referred to their style as a Jujutsu Ryu-Ha.
Togakure Ryu (戸隠流)
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This school still flourishes under the guidance and Grand Master Masaki Hatsumi today under the name of Bujinkan Dojo. The word "ryu-ha" is an old school or style of fighting, either unarmed or with weapons, but could also be referring to a style of many of the skills from old Japan. Tea Ceremony, Calligraphy, horse riding, poetry, sword making and even flower arranging and pottery to name but a few of these ancient skills passed down through generations. A ryu-ha is often named after the place, person of philosophy of the founding member.
Brazilian Jujutsu
Geo Omori who learned judo in the Kodokan academy moved to Brazil and opened the fist Jujutsu school in Brazil in 1909. In 1917 Carlos Gracie would see a demonstration of Mitsuyo Maeda’s (One of the high ranking students of Omori) Jujutsu and would decide to learn the style. Carlos learned Jujutsu for several years and started to pass his knowledge of the art on to his brothers. Notably his brother Helios Gracie would adapt the techniques with the intention of allowing a smaller and weaker practitioner to win against a larger and stronger opponent. This style of Jujutsu continues to be passed down the Gracie family.
You can learn more about samurai and martial arts at Samurai & Ninja Museum in Kyoto.