JAPANESE MARTIAL ARTS
There are enormous varieties of martial arts native to Japan. Associated to the names of these arts are the following 3 terms:
Budō - "martial way"
- intended to indicate the practice of martial arts as a way of life, and encompassing physical, spiritual, and moral dimensions with a focus of self-improvement, fulfillment, or personal growth
Bujutsu - "craft of war"
-refers specifically to the practical application of martial tactics and techniques in actual combat
Bugei - "martial art"
-refers to the adaptation or refinement of those tactics and techniques to facilitate systematic instruction and dissemination within a formal learning environment
The traditions of the samurai and ancient Japan's caste system is the root of the historical origin of Japanese Martial Arts. The caste system restricted the usage of weapons of non-warrior classes.
TWO FAMOUS TYPES OF JAPANESE MARTIAL ARTS
Sumo
Considered as Japan's National Sport
Sumo retains much of its traditional trappings. There is a Shinto priest dressed referee and the competitors clap hands, stomp their feet, and throw salt in the ring prior to every match. Competitors employ throwing and grappling techniques to win a match. The first man to touch the ground with a part of the body other than the bottom of the feet, or touch the ground outside the ring with any part of the body, loses. There are six annual grand tournaments held in Japan, and the professional fighter's names and relative rankings are published after each tournament in a list called the banzuke.
Jujitsu
Art of Pliance
The art of using indirect force such as joint locks or throwing techniques.Methods of combat included striking (kicking, punching), throwing (body throws, joint-lock throws, unbalance throws), restraining (pinning, strangulating, grappling, wrestling) and weaponry. Defensive tactics included blocking, evading, off balancing, blending and escaping. Minor weapons such as the tantō (dagger), ryufundo kusari (weighted chain), jutte (helmet smasher), and kakushi buki (secret or disguised weapons) were almost always included in koryū jujutsu.
Nowadays, various methods of jujitsu have been incorporated into JUDO and AIKIDO. The methods are also being transformed into sport wrestling systems.
