Japanese martial arts

. The terms "bujutsu" and "bugei" have more discrete definitions, at least historically speaking. "Bujutsu" refers specifically to the practical application of martial tactics and techniques in actual combat. and Nihongo|junior students|後輩|kōhai is one with its origins not in martial arts, but rather in Japanese culture generally. It underlies Japanese interpersonal relationships in many contexts, such as business, school, and sports. It has become part of the teaching process in Japanese martial arts schools. A senior student is senior to all students who either began training after him, or who he outranks. The role of the senior student is crucial to the indoctrination of the junior students to etiquette, work ethic, and other virtues important to the school. The junior student is expected to treat his seniors with respect, and plays an important role in giving the senior students the opportunity to learn leadership skills. Senior students may or may not teach formal classes, but in every respect their role is as a teacher to the junior students, by example and by providing encouragement. [Citation
last = Lowry
first = Dave
authorlink = Dave Lowry (martial arts)
title = Senpai and Kohai (Seniors and Juniors)
journal = Karate Illustrated
year = 1984]

Ranking systems

There are ultimately two systems of ranking students in Japanese martial arts, although some schools have been known to blend these systems together. The old system was organized by a series of scrolls that would be passed down within a school. On the scrolls would be a list of the school's techniques, and the scrolls awarded to advanced students would list the more advanced techniques. This would culminate in the student achieving a "license of total transmission" ("menkyo kaiden"), which was a license permitting the student to teach the school's martial art outside of the school.

The modern system ("dan'i"), the invention of which is credited to judo founder Kano Jigoro, awards belts in accordance with students reaching a particular rank. Students progress by promotion through a series of "grades" ("kyū"), followed by a series of "degrees" ("dan"), pursuant to formal testing procedures. Some arts use only white and black belts to distinguish between skill levels, while others use a progression of colored belts for "kyū" levels.

Forms

It has often been said that forms ("kata") are the backbone of the martial arts. Nevertheless, different schools and styles put a varying amount of emphasis upon their practice.

=Warrior's pilgr

ee also

References