Online dictionary of history and traditions in Japan: martial art

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Aikido

合気道
alternative words: Aikidou
keywords: martial art
related topics: Judo
related web sites: http://www.shintaido.com , http://www.dokidoki.ne.jp/home2/unoaiki/ , http://www.yamaguchi-aikido.com/jp/
explanation: Issuing from old Japanese fighting techniques without weapon like Judo, Aikido is a synthesis of the parts left by Judo like defense techniques and spiritual teaching. The modern Aikido was created by Ueshiba Morihei (1883969) at the end of Taisho era. It is not only popular in Japan but abroad especially among women who need to fight against aggressions.

Judo

柔道柔柔術
alternative words: Judou, Yawara, Jujitsu, Jujutsu
keywords: martial art
related topics: Tatami , Aikido
related web sites: http://www.judo-jp.org , http://www.kodokan.org/index_j.html , http://www.judo.or.jp , http://judoweb.net , http://www.yamashitayasuhiro.com
explanation: In ancient Japan, there existed a technique to fight without weapon. It was called Yawara (suppleness) or Jujitsu (art of suppleness). In 1882, Kano Jigoro adapted it to a sport for a youth's education. Since Olympic games of Tokyo in 1964, it has become an official discipline. The combat takes place on a square of 9.1m side covered with tatami mats and the goal is to throw away the adversary (nage waza) or grapple him (katame waza). Kodokan is the central organization of this sport.

Karate

空手唐手
keywords: martial art
related topics: Ryukyu
related web sites: http://www.karatedo.co.jp , http://www.melfirst.co.jp/karate/
explanation: Combat of 2 men without any weapons: they give chops and kicks to the adversary. Originated from China, it has been introduced into Japan via Okinawa island (Ryukyu). Okinawa being a Chinese protectorate state in the old times, this discipline had been very popular there. It has appeared in mainland Japan only since Taisho era. Initially karate had been spelled with kanji characters meaning "Chinese hand" but now it is spelled rather with "bare hand".

Kendo

剣道
alternative words: Kendou, Kenndo, Kenndou
keywords: martial art
related topics: Sengoku period , Edo period
related web sites: http://www.kendo.or.jp
explanation: Combat of 2 men carrying each a bamboo made sward. During Sengoku period, there existed a strong need to form swordsmen but its education was very chaotic because they should fight against any weapons. Once a peaceful period arrived, the combat of 2 swordsmen has been established as a real discipline with an addition of spiritual education. When, in the late Edo period, a protection equipment which allows free beats, was introduced, Kendo has become a true sport.

Naginata

薙刀長刀
alternative words: Nagi nata, Japanese halberd, Halberd
keywords: martial art , weapon
related topics: Kamakura period , Edo period
related web sites: http://homepage1.nifty.com/sira/taiheiki/moriyosi.html , http://www.jttk.zaq.ne.jp/nihontou/toukenkobugu/yarinaginatalist.htm
explanation: Weapon composed of a long shaft and a curved blade of 1 or 2 feet length attached at the top. It had been a favorite weapon of Japanese infantrymen until Kamakura period especially Buddhist monk soldiers. It was then gradually replaced by spears and rifles. During Edo period, it was taught as a defensive weapon for samurai's women and continued to be taught as a woman's sport nowadays. Naginata means "mowing sword".

Ninja

忍者忍の者隠密
alternative words: Ninja warrior
keywords: martial art , ninja
related topics: Ninjutsu , Sarutobi Sasuke , Hattori Hanzo , Sengoku period , Japanese dart , Iga ninja , Yamabushi
related web sites: http://www.geocities.co.jp/Berkeley/2348/ , http://www.hello.co.jp/~usa0277/8600.html
explanation: Persons who have mastered "Ninjutsu". Master of not only all the combat technique but also scientific knowledge like medicine and chemistry, their activity had been very intensive during Sengoku period. But most of these heroes, like Sarutobi Sasuke or Kirigakure Saizo were invented during Edo period when the war had ended: their exploits are so exaggerated that they look like a kind of superman or 007

Ninjutsu

忍術忍び忍法
alternative words: Ninjutu, Ninjitsu, Ninjitu, Shinobi, Ninpo, Ninpou
keywords: martial art , ninja
related topics: Ninja , Sengoku period , Heian period , Onmyodo
related web sites: http://www.y-tec.com/ninja/index2.html , http://www.mpd.co.jp/net/ninja/japanese/menu.html
explanation: One of the Japanese martial arts. Originated from Onmyodo of Heian period, it had been associated with a magic like prestidigitation or hypnoses and the medical knowledge. With a development of samurai society, more violent and combative technique had been introduced. During a civil war period of the 16th century (Sengoku period), the specialists of those arts (Ninja) had been highly appreciated and the famous schools of Ninjutsu like Koga and Iga had been prosperous.
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7 articles extracted from postgresql database.