Budō

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Budō
Budo1.jpg
Japanese name
Kanji: 武道
Hiragana: ぶどう

Budō (武道?) is a Japanese term describing martial ways.[1][2][3] Literally translated it means the Way of War.

Contents

Etymology[edit]

Budō is a compound of the root 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 "path").[4] The term refers to the idea of formulating propositions, subjecting them to philosophical critique and then following a 'path' to realize them.[5] 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[6] (state of Muga-mushin). Similarly to budō, bujutsu is a compound of the roots bu (武), and jutsu (術:じゅつ), meaning technique[7] Thus, budō is translated as "martial way",[8][9][10] or "the way of war"[citation needed] 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".[citation needed] Budo and bujutsu have quite a delicate difference; whereas bujutsu only gives attention to the physical part of fighting (how to best defeat an enemy), budo also gives attention to the mind and how one should develop oneself. Modern budo uses aspects of the lifestyle of the samurai of feudal Japan and translates them to self-development in modern life.

Bujutsu[edit]

It may be difficult to delineate the differences between budō and bujutsu.[citation needed] Sometimes, the differences are considered historical; others cite differences in training methods, training philosophy, or emphasis on spiritual development.[citation needed]

In modern usage, bujutsu, meaning martial/military art/science, is typified by its practical application of technique to real-world or battlefield situations. Budō, meaning martial Way, has a more philosophical emphasis. The "dō" is a reference to this path.[11]

Civilian vs. military[edit]

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.[citation needed] 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.

Art vs. lifestyle[edit]

One view is that a bujutsu is the martial art you practice, whereas a budo is the lifestyle you live and the path you walk by practicing a bujutsu. For example, one could say that Judo and Jujutsu practised as a practiced martial art are one and the same, being that the practice of the art Jujutsu leads to obtaining the lifestyle of Judo (Judo was originally known as Kano Jujutsu, after Judo's founder Kano Jigoro). That would be true with arts such as kenjutsu / kendo and iaijutsu / iaido and Aikido as well.[citation needed]

Identifying an art[edit]

Dai Nippon Butoku Kai keeps official records of koryu bujutsu and gendai budo schools (ryuha) in Japan.[citation needed] In order to receive information about these particular school or art belongs to any of those types, you can contact the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai.

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.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Morgan, Diane (2001). The Best Guide to Eastern Philosophy and Religion. New York: Renaissance Books. p. 38. 
  2. ^ Armstrong, Hunter B. (1995). The Koryu Bujutsu Experience in Kory Bujutsu - Classical Warrior Traditions of Japan. New Jersey: Koryu Books. pp. 19–20. ISBN 1-890536-04-0. 
  3. ^ http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=P-Nv_LUi6KgC&pg=PA390&dq=martial+way&hl=en&sa=X&ei=XnUaUdiRNKmH4AScnIDoDA&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=martial%20way&f=false Green, Thomas A. and Joseph R. Svinth (2010) Martial Arts of the World: An Encyclopedia of History and Innovation. Santa Barbara: ACB-CLIO. Page 390. ISBN 978-1-59884-243-2
  4. ^ Morgan, Diane (2001). The Best Guide to Eastern Philosophy and Religion. New York: Renaissance Books. p. 38. 
  5. ^ Kiyota, Minoru (1995). Kendo, Its Philosophy, History and Means to Personal Growth. Kegan Paul International. p. 15. 
  6. ^ Craig, Darrell Max (2002). Mugai Ryu - The Classical Samurai Art of Drawing the Sword. Boston, Mass.: YMAA Publication Center. p. 2. 
  7. ^ Kenneth G Henshall (1998), A Guide to Remembering Japanese Characters, p220 (Tuttle)
  8. ^ Morgan, Diane (2001). The Best Guide to Eastern Philosophy and Religion. New York: Renaissance Books. p. 38. 
  9. ^ Armstrong, Hunter B. (1995). The Koryu Bujutsu Experience in Kory Bujutsu - Classical Warrior Traditions of Japan. New Jersey: Koryu Books. pp. 19–20. ISBN 1-890536-04-0. 
  10. ^ http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=P-Nv_LUi6KgC&pg=PA390&dq=martial+way&hl=en&sa=X&ei=XnUaUdiRNKmH4AScnIDoDA&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=martial%20way&f=false Green, Thomas A. and Joseph R. Svinth (2010) Martial Arts of the World: An Encyclopedia of History and Innovation. Santa Barbara: ACB-CLIO. Page 390. ISBN 978-1-59884-243-2
  11. ^ Green, Thomas (2010). Martial Arts of the World: An Encyclopedia of History and Innovation. ABC-CLIO. p. 369. ISBN 978-1-59884-243-2. 

External links[edit]

Look up 武道 in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.
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