Japanese+Martial+Arts

When people think of martial arts, the two things that usually come to mind are Karate and Kung fu. Both of these are popular styles, but there are many styles that are overlooked. In Japanese martial arts, there are styles originating from many regions, styles that use many different methods and weapons, and different discipline styles. People who train in these styles study for years mastering technique, etiquette, and the grace of their movements. This does not come easily to people and it takes a lot of understanding of yourself and the sport to do well.

Japanese martial arts refers to a variety of martial arts native to Japan. There are seven different kinds of martial arts: Karate, Aikido, Bujinkan, Iaido, Judo, Kendo, and Chanbara. These martial arts are similar to one another, but they have unique qualities to each of them.

__**Karate**__ Karate, meaning "empty hand", has an unkown origin. Some people believe Karate was created by an Indian monk called Bodhidharma who brought its teachings into a forest temple of China. Others believe that it comes from Okinawa. Either way, Karate has branched out to Japan, Okinawa, Malaysia, Korea, Thailand, China and other areas Southeast Asia. In Japan, Sakukawa Kanga, Matsumura Sokon, Itosu Anko, Arakaki Seisho, Higaonna Kanryo, Gichin Funakoshi, and Motobu Choki are some of the many people who helped spread and make Karate popular. There are many reasons why people practice Karate. They practice it as an art form, a sport, a combat sport, a way of learning self defense, or for fun. Karate is one of the many striking arts. It uses kicking, kneeing, elbowing and punching techniques for the most part, but other techiques can be used depending on the style of Karate that is being taught. Today in Japan, it is taught at schools and is played as a sport.

Aikido is translated as "The way of unifing with life energy." It was devopled by Morihei Ueshiba durning the 1920's to the 1930's. Aikido is a martial art that is used to defend yourself while trying to not bring harm to the attacker. Aikido doesn't require you to be pshysically strong, for it uses your attackers wieght and momentum to your advatage. The use of entering and turning movements accompanied by throws and joint locks are its key moves. Unlike some martial arts, you try to predict the attacker's movements and redirect the force of their own attacks.
 * __Aikido__**

__**Bujinkan**__ Bujinkan has been tracked back to the Iga region of Japan. Other than that, its origin is mysterous. It's associated with ninjutsu and consists of nine separate martial arts tradition. Like Aikido, Baujinkan is used to protect ones self. Other than that, Baujinkan is the complete opposite of Aikido. Bajunkan focuses pain and geting close as you can to permanent injury. It uses throws, hits, locks, chokes, sometimes weapons, and disabling/ breaking your attacker's limbs.

Iaido translates into "The way of mental presence and immediate reaction." It teachs the way of using the sword to kill a surprised attacker in one strike. Its movements are smooth and controlled in each of its steps. The steps are the drawing of the sword, striking the opponent, removeing the remains on the sword, and putting the sword back into its sheath. Today, most students use a wooden sword, called a //bokken//. As they advance in Iaido, they go from a //bokken// to a blunt edged sword and sometimes to a shrap edged sword, which is only used by a few. There is no sparring in this martial art.
 * __Iaido__**

__**Judo**__ Judo means "Gentle way," but you focus on throwing your oppenent to the ground, immbolize your oppenent, or force the oppenent to submit. This style is well-known for its throwing techniques. It is also recognizable for its control holds, arm locks, and choking techniques. Judo emphasizes safety and being in top physical condition, since it is very demanding. Judo's founder is Jigoro Kano

Kenjutsu's name means "The method of the sword." It is the tradtional method of swordsmenship that was used in the days of feudal Japan. The style originates from the samurai schools. The schools commonly taught battlefield techniques with the sword. The weapons that are used in Kenjutsu are the //bokuto//, a solid, wooden sword, and the //shinai//, a sword made of bamboo and carbon fiber. The students also wear armor during sparring. Today, Kendo, meaning "Way of the swoard," is a mordern version of Kenjutsu. It is also a popluar school sport in Japan. It uses both the //bokuto// and the //shinai//, but the //shinai// is used more often. Also, when sparring in Kendo, more armor is worn than what is worn in Kenjutsu.
 * __Kenjutsu__**

Chanbara is another martical art where the sword is used. The original name for the style was "Goshindo," but the name was latered revoked and given the nicknamed Chanbara. The style is very fast-paced and uses passive weaponry. This weaponry includes knives, spears, clubs, and //bokuto//. The uniform required in this style is a cotton top and pleated pants. It is also required to wear knee pads, a belt, and badges.
 * __Chanbara__**