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Budo
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is a Japanese term describing martial arts. In English, it is used almost exclusively in reference to Japanese martial arts.
is a compound of the root bu (?:?), meaning war or martial; and do (?:??), meaning path or way. Specifically, do is derived from the Buddhist Sanskrit marga (meaning the 'path' to enlightenment). The term refers to the idea of formulating propositions, subjecting them to philosophical critique and then following a 'path' to realize them.
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is a Japanese term describing martial arts. In English, it is used almost exclusively in reference to Japanese martial arts.
Etymology
Budo is a compound of the root bu (?:?), meaning war or martial; and do (?:??), meaning path or way. Specifically, do is derived from the Buddhist Sanskrit marga (meaning the 'path' to enlightenment). The term refers to the idea of formulating propositions, subjecting them to philosophical critique and then following a 'path' to realize them. Do signifies a 'way of life'. Do 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 budo has no external enemy, only the internal enemy, one's ego that must be fought (state of Muga-mushin). Similarly to budo, bujutsu is a compound of the roots bu, and jutsu (?:???), meaning science, craft, or art. Thus, budo 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 budo 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 alternative translation of "budo" as "conflict resolution". Budo and bujutsu have quite a delicate difference, when bujutsu only gives attention to the physical part of fighting, as to how you can best defeat your opponent. Budo also gives attention to the mind and how you should develop yourself or, when you look at the translation of the term Budo, to stop the conflict in yourself. Modern budo uses aspects of the lifestyle of the samurai of feudal Japan and translates them to self-development in modern life.
Bujutsu
It is very difficult to delineate the differences between budo and bujutsu. Sometimes, the differences are considered historical; others cite differences in training methods, training philosophy, or emphasis on spiritual development. Some of the distinctions between the two forms are discussed below.
Gendai budo vs. Koryu bujutsu
During Japan's feudal era, the word bujutsu was more commonly used to describe martial arts than the word budo. Today, "classical" martial arts created before the Meiji Restoration are often called koryu bujutsu (literally, "old-style martial art/science"). Correspondingly, modern martial arts created during or after the Meiji Restoration are called gendai budo (literally, "modern martial way"). Gendai budo such as "judo", "kendo" and "iaido" came from koryu bujutsu such as "jujutsu", "kenjutsu" and "iaijutsu" respectively.
The final transition from the classical arts (koryu bujutsu) to the modern arts (gendai budo) was mainly due to the Americans conditions given to the Japanese for the acceptance of their surrender at the end of the pacific campaign (WWII). This included the condition that all Japanese military forces be disbanded (and many senior officers be submitted for war crime trials).This also meant Classical schools of martial arts were forbidden to teach killing techniques, which in the eyes of the Americans, could be a training ground for insurgents.
These Schools were therefore adapted to suit the current situation. Much in the same fashion as North American Martial arts developed into a style of 'dance' to hide their true intent. Gendai Budo Martial Art's were focused more towards sports and competition. This difference in observable intent (as opposed to the death of one's enemies) allowed Gendai Budo to flourish in post war Japan while Bujutsu was driven underground. Far from being made obsolete, Bujutsu and Budo are both relevant today in their respective roles. Gendai Budo as fitness and competition training and Bujutsu as true martial training for the defence of self and others. A battlefield education with the promotion of spiritual, moral, and physical values has always been the key to enlightenment, gaining the mind and eyes of God (kami), in Budo.
Civilian vs. Military
Many consider budo 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 budo 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
One view is that a jutsu is the martial art you practice, whereas a do is the lifestyle you live and the path you walk by practicing a jutsu. For example, one could say that Judo and Jujutsu practiced 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 (it should be noted that 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 as well.
Identifying an art
The Japanese organization, Dai Nippon Butoku Kai keeps official records of koryu bujutsu and gendai budo schools (ryuha) in Japan. 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 budo to reflect an emphasis on spiritual and philosophical development, or simply to reflect that the art was developed more recently.
See also
External links
- Thoughts and reflections on the essence of budo. A useful link for the aspiring Budoka.
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