japanese martialarts

Araki-ryu practitioner

Araki-ryu is a form of Japanese martial arts initiated during the Tensho period, which is estimated to date back in 1570s. It is a discipline that specializes in fighting grappling that makes use of weapons. The focus of this art is the torite-kogusoku technique or the grappling with weapons in light armor.

The dynamics of Araki-ryu is identical to the traditional body-to-body wrestling. Both practices involve the same kind of fluid flexibility due to the fast changing energy. For that reason, grappling skills is necessary when trying to enter the discipline of Araki-ryu.
The discipline of Araki-ryu does not use a “soke” system. When one achieves a teaching license instead, he can then readily establish an independent Araki-ry? line. continue reading   »

2 naginata practitioners fighting

Naginatajutsu is a Japanese martial art that specializes in the utilization of a glaive as its primary weapon of choice which is closely related to the glaive the Europeans use. This jutsu (technique) is also included and is part of the curriculum in Katori Shinto-ryu. The origin and the evolution of the weapon arguably takes us back to the time wherein farming tools where modified to be used not as a tool but a weapon.

Others may say that the samurais needed a longer weapon for its attack modifying what seems to be an average ranged sword and turned out to be a sword that is attached to a pole adding an exceptional range to its arsenal. It protected the wielder of the said weapon from attackers since it keeps a safe distance from his opponents. continue reading   »

kenjutsu practitioners in action

Kentjutsu is a sword technique or sword art which originated from Japan. This technique corresponds to sword classical or traditional sword arts and means “the art of the sword.” And at times Kenjutsu can be referred to explain any martial arts that utilize a Japanese sword – a term that can be used in general or specific.

This type of sword technique can be practice alone during the first part of the learning process or with partner during sparring. Furthermore, it uses a bamboo sword and armor during an actual practice.

Kenjustu often is related or thought to be the same as with Iaid? or Iaijutsu for the reason that both techniques utilize a sword during combat. Kenjutsu is an older devised technique compared to a modern Iaijutsu which was developed for sporting, artistic and meditative features. continue reading   »

A Sensei is practising battodojutsu

Battojutsu is a sword art or technique developed in Japan. The term refers to the art or techniques for engaging a sword. It is often related to Iaijutsu or Iaido since both techniques engages in a sword combat. It is for a fact that both of these techniques are closely related with each other most of which has something to do with the way the practitioner handles the sword.

Though the techniques are closely related, each technique has its own emphasis when handling a sword. Batt?jutsu puts emphasis on the cutting with the sword while Iaijutsu focuses more on the drawing of the sword from the scabbard for offense and defense. Battojutsu highlights the standing and or sitting techniques once the sword has been drawn out of its scabbard and is preparing for the attack. Iaijustu clearly implies and puts emphasis on the quick draw of the sword striking the opponent within seconds. continue reading   »

Katori Shinto Ryu

Katori Shinto-ryu was founded by Lizasa Choisai Lenao in1447 during the Middle Murchami period in the Shimosa Province in Japan. This technique was uniquely devised for the warriors to train without being badly injured and without loosing a close-to-reality kind of experience and maintaining the integrity of its principles.

It’s one of the most unique technique ever devised in Japan. It studies the mastery of the body movements and coordination in accordance to the bushi’s (samurai warriors) armor which weights about 35kg. With such weight burdened on their shoulders, it is expected for the warrior to have a tough time dealing with their movements and how they attack their opponents without loosing their balance not to mention they need to deal with an uneven terrain. continue reading   »

Iaidokas at work

Iaido is one of the many sword arts developed in Japan which is concerned with the drawing of the sword from its original case or scabbard – sounds pretty easy but its not. It’s a martial art that focuses on how the sword is being drawn out of its case with swiftness to strike and or cut the opponent into pieces.

It also teaches the art of removing the blood from the blade after it was used during a battle and returning it to its original case properly. It lays emphasis on the precision of a controlled and coordinated motion of drawing the sword with smoothness and ease. It revolves on two major principles. The first principle is the psychological state of being present.

It talks about the philosophies of the martial art. The second principle concentrates on the drawing of the sword and how the swordsman reacts and responds to an external force which can be his opponent as quickly as possible. The capability of the practitioner to act and think quickly in a given situation is considered crucial in combat and survival. continue reading   »

Judoka in action

Judo is one of the many popular Japanese martial arts and was developed by Dr. Kano Jigoro in 1882. It is classified as a grappling art. It is derived from two Japanese words ju (gentle, mild, or subtle) and do (way). The principle technique in this martial art combat is grappling and throwing of opponent.

This can provide a deadly blow to the opponent. It can choke the opponent until he or she dies. It can immobilize the attacker to the extent that he might be crippled for the rest of his life. It utilizes both the upper and lower extremities of the body to generate a decisive blow on the opponent. Judo can be used with or without weapons making it one of the flexible techniques ever developed.

Dr. Kano Jigoro developed this kind of technique for the purpose of self-defense and; sport and physical education. There are different kinds of techniques that the student will learn it just depends on his level, intention, and purpose.

For sports and physical education, students are being limited with throws and grappling techniques and for the latter, they are being taught with selected hand and foot blows, holds, escapes, and trips. continue reading   »

A kyud?ka at 'work'

Kyudo is a modern martial art that originated from Japan that focuses on the mastery of utilizing a bow and arrow. The very first founder of Kyudo was Henmi Kiyomitsu in the 12th century and other martial arts that involved making use of a bow and arrow were founded by his descendants.

Kyudo is a form of archery that was not given much of an importance during the early stages of the society of Japan. When the form of society changed and the samurais took over – it was then and there that archery was being popularized and made as a necessity for learning and mastering.

Kyudo was being taught in different of schools in Japan. Whether it be a military school or just a ceremonial or contemplative practice, philosophies would really differ. Philosophers or teachers in Kyudo rationalizes the accuracy of how the user shoots the arrow and hits his target. continue reading   »

Sensei Morihei Ueshiba

Aikido is one of the many Japanese martial arts in history. Every martial art is developed by someone they call as master, sensei, or even teacher. With regard to Aikido, this was developed by Morihei Ueshiba for the reason of mixing his martial studies, philosophy, and quasireligious beliefs. It was a result of his enlightenment that he experienced during the time when he was studying and practicing jujitsu. Aikido can be interpreted as “the way (d?) of union with (ai) the life force of the universe (ki).”

Aikido is a method of hand-to-hand fighting. It is more on the upper body movement with proper coordination of his lower extremities. It was devise for a defensive stance rather than being offensive. This means that the person practicing Aikido can defend and protect himself from the attackers and generate that defense into a one explosive offense which can weaken the attacker but not heavily injuring him. This is done by associating his movements with the attacker – going with the same flow and redirecting his attacks to let the attacker miss intentionally instead of colliding with it. This can now lead to a massive opportunity to hit the opponent. continue reading   »

The Japanese word “Kendo” is comprised of two Kanjis, namely: Ken and Do. “Ken” means Sword, and the other one, “Do”, means Way. If compounded, those words would literally mean “way of the sword”. This martial art of sword-fighting is mainly based on a classical Japanese swordsmanship called Kenjutsu.

During Muromachi Era (1392-1573), Japan was overwhelmed with battles. Heavy-armored battling style prevailed during this era because this is the time where firearms and swords were mass manufactured.

As the sun sets for the Muromachi Era, Japanese battling style drastically changed from “full-armored” style to a lighter “hand-to-hand” fighting technique. During Edo Era (1603-1867), Japan experienced relatively peaceful times. This would lead to the conversion of the practices of Ken (sword) from a gruesome technique of killing people to a graceful and non-violent way of developing human character, disciplined lifestyle, as well as developing concepts of strong swordsmanship.

Many theories, strategies, techniques regarding Ken practices were formulated and spread through publications of books. This eventually became the key to the birth of Kendo. continue reading   »