Japanese Martial Arts

Japanese Martial Arts

Japan has a rich culture of martial arts. Asiarooms.com gives you an insight to the Japan martial arts that has caught the fascination of millions across the world. Read on to know more about Japanese martial arts.

Origin

The origin of martial arts in Japan dates back to the time when the non-warrior class was debarred from using weapons. The Samurais were expected to be the masters of both armed and unarmed combat, and in the use of deadly weapons. The skill of martial arts was developed as a way to gain the highest possible efficiency in combat skills. With the changes in time, martial arts are being seen as a way to attain the highest level of martial skills by means of immense spiritual power.

The martial arts of Japan are highly diversified and they vary in their methods, training tools and philosophy, thus giving birth to various schools of combat styles. In respect of the Meiji Restoration, martial arts of Japan may be broadly classified into two categories: the `koryu' and the `gendai budo'. Some of the widely known categories of Japanese martial arts are as follows:

Koryu: This school of martial arts refers to the style that originated in the beginning of the Meiji Restoration. Experimented with over centuries, Koryu was primarily used in the battlefields. The focus is therefore in contrast with the modern schools of martial arts, which necessarily seek to develop a mental, physical and spiritual improvement of the individual who practices it. Based on the different practice methodologies, the generic classifications are as follows:

Sumo: Sumo, the national sport of Japan, has its origins in the 23 B.C. These sumo-wrestling matches were held on the request of the emperor. The match continued until one of the wrestlers wounded the opponent too badly to continue further.

Jujutsu: In Jujutsu, one doesn't use the direct forces of punch or kick; it's the use of the indirect force wherein the force applied by the attacker is skillfully used against the attacker himself, and looks to strike him in his weakest possible part.

Swordsmanship: This form of martial combat uses the sword as its weapon. Swordsmanship is believed to be the most predominant art over the other forms.

Karate: Karate, the combat fought with `empty hands', has its roots in the Okinawa island. This form has gained immense popularity, thanks to the likes of the Hollywood movies and masters like Bruce Lee.

Judo: Judo, practiced as a sport is a form of modern martial arts. It seeks to develop a mental, physical and spiritual improvement of the individual who practices it.

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