MARTIAL ARTS From ancient tradition to modern sport

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MARTIAL ARTS
From ancient tradition to modern sport
Judo
(Photo courtesy of Photo
Kishimoto)
With the abolishment of the social class
Introduction
system of the Edo period soon after the Meiji
Restoration in 1868, the warrior class, which
had dominated the farmer, artisan, and
Most of Japan’s martial arts, or budo, have
merchant classes (the shi-no-ko-sho system),
histories extending back to the protohistoric
disappeared; and with the adoption of modern
era. Yabusame, or archery on horseback, can
military weap
w
on
eap
ry
on , participation
o
in some of
be traced to the seventh century. With the rise
these arts declined. In 1895, following the
of the warrior class in the late twelfth century,
Sino-Japanese War, a national organization
the bushi or samurai (members of the warrior
called the Dai Nippon Budo Kai (The Great
class) trained in such disciplines as kenjutsu
Japan Martial Arts Association) centralized
(sword
art),
iaijutsu
(sword-drawing
art),
martial arts and oversaw their introduction
jujutsu (unarmed combat), kyujutsu (Japanese
into the educational system. This led to the
archery),
sojutsu
(spear
art),
bajutsu
revival of many of the arts.
(horsemanship),
)
and suijutsu (swi
w mm
i
ing).
ing)
Followi
w ng
World
War
Wa
II,
Occupation
These gradually became standardized into
authorities imposed a ban on martial arts for
styles or schools, which continued even after
five years, because those that had been
the country’s feudal domains were pacified
revived before the war were thought to foster
during the Edo period (1600–1868).
the regimentation and nationalistic spirit that
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Karate
A karate expert breaks wooden planks with
his bare hand. (Photo courtesy of AFLO)
led to the growth of militarism. The ban was
lifted in 1950, and efforts were made to stress
their positive aspects, treating them as sports
rather than martial arts.
rather remain apart from each other. Aikido
techniques mainly seek to take advantage of
Judo
an opponent’s weak
w
ness in wris
i t
s and arm
joints.
Aikido practitioners do not hold competitive
Judo, which means “the gentle way,”
tournaments. Its techniques place emphasis
developed from an older art known as jujutsu,
on self defense, which is a principal reason
which generally avoided using weapons. The
why it is popular among women and those in
Tenshin Shinyo and Kito schools became the
law enforcement.
foundation for modern Kodokan Judo, as
organ
g
ized by Kano Jigoro (1860–1938), who
renamed the sport after his first training
gymnasium (dojo). Kano formulated a training
Karate
system based on modern athletic principles
and modified the rules to permit both throwing
and grappling on the mat.
Karatedo, which means “the way of the empty
The
judo-gi
worn
by
practitioners
hand,” developed over 1,000 years ago in
resembles the apparel worn in karate, save
China. It was introduced to the island of
for the upper part which is made of a more
Okinawa (formerly an independent kingdom)
heavyweight material. Although some karate
many centuries ago as a form of weaponless
techniques also involve grappling and holding,
self defense. The art was a late-comer into
it should not be confused with judo, which
Japan proper, having been introduced by
does not permit striking or kicking one’s
Funakoshi Gichin in the 1920s.
opponent.
In karate, every part of the body can be
Perhaps more than any other Japanese
turned into a fighting weapon. But equally
sport, judo has gained a wide degree of
important are defensive techniques used to
international popularity. The World Judo
sidestep or block an opponent’s thrusts and
F d
e
t
era i
tion was est b
a li
bli h
s ed in 1952, a d
n
ki k
c s.
Tokyo
hosted
the
first
World
Judo
One aspect of training includes repeatedly
Championship Tournament in May 1956.
striking a makiwara, a post covered with straw,
Following its introduction as a men’s event in
to toughen the skin covering the knuckles,
the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, it has since been
wrists, balls of the feet, and other areas. More
added for women as well. At present, judo is
advanced
practitioners
often
demonstrate
practiced by 5 million people in the world.
their power by smashing boards or breaking
roof tiles, but this is not recommended for
beginners.
In
sanctioned
competition,
karate
Aikido
practitioners generally wear protective gear
and are cautious to prevent accidental injury.
They avoid blows to the head and pull their
Aikido has its origins in Aiki jujutsu of the
kicks and punches. In a sparring match,
Daito school of jujutsu, founded by Minamoto
called kumitejiai, points are scored by landing
Yoshimitsu (1045–1127). Ueshiba Morihei
thrusts and kicks. Kata, which involve a series
(1883–1970)
70
is
credited
wit
wi h
developing
of ritualized movements, are used to judge
aikido into its present form.
form and concentration.
Although aikido may appear similar to
While teaching the fine points of their art,
judo in some respects, the contestants do not
karate instructors also pay close attention to a
grasp each other’s collars and sleeves, but
student’s attitude and code of conduct.
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Japanese archery
(Photo courtesy of Photo Kishimoto)
In recent years, more women have begun
taking up karate. Together with Chinese and
Korean martial arts, with which it bears many
similarities, karate has become
popularized
throughout the world. The population of
karate enthusiasts in the world is said to be
50 million.
Kendo
Among the samurai, the sword was one of the
most important of martial arts. Perhaps
because of this tradition, kendo (Japanese
stick fencing) places strong emphasis on
ritualized behavior in the dojo, and practice
sessions tend to be highly regimented.
With the establishment of the All Japan
Kendo
Federation,
in
1952,
kendo
was
Kyudo
revived as a sport and was introduced into the
curricula of junior high and high schools.
The “sword” used in kendo, called a shinai,
is made of 4 long strips of bamboo. It is quite
Kyudo (Japanese archery) developed during
light and designed to avoid serious injuries
Japan’s feudal period as a fighting art. With
during practice sessions.
the founding of the Japan Kyudo Federation,
Kendo
practitioners
wear
protective
in 1949, the discipline made a new start as a
equipment that covers them from head to hips.
sport.
Points are scored by striking the opponent’s
In a contest, each competitor usually
head, trunk, or wrist, or by jabbing the throat.
shoots arrows at a target 28 or 60 meters
The first to score two out of three points wins
away. The bow, which is about 2.21 meters
the m t
a ch.
long, is m d
a e
f
o wo d
o
d
an
bamboo
l
g ued
together. As in other forms of archery, the
competitor who hits the target with the
greatest number of arrows wins the match.
The difference between Western archery and
kyudo is that the latter emphasizes the
importance of form. In some contests, the
competitor’s form is taken into account.
Archery
on
horseback,
yabusame,
originated during the Kamakura period (1185–
1333). It is still performed at the Tsurugaoka
Hachimangu Shrine in Kamakura (one hour
from Tokyo by train), among other places.
Kendo (Japanese fencing)
(Photo courtesy of Getty Images)
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