Traditional Japanese Martial Arts:
Sumo Wrestling, Jujitsu, Karate, Judo, and more!
Introduction: Martial arts were important for the samurai class in medieval Japan. These arts were really to help one prepare for combat. Skill in these areas could save the life of the samurai who knew them well. "Martial" means fighting. So these fighting skills were much more than recreation!
Many of these martial arts were brought from China, but the Japanese further developed them and added to them. Some of these martial arts became further ritualized [given formal rules] in Zen Buddhism. A samurai warrior of the Middle Ages would be an expert at some of these arts, especially archery and sword fighting.
I. Sumo Wrestling
A. History of Sumo Wrestling
Sumo wrestling is an ancient sport dating back at least 1500 years. According to one Japanese legend, the very origin of the Japanese race depended on the outcome of a sumo match. The Japanese people on the islands of Japan supposedly established their claim to these islands when the god, Take-mikazuchi, won a sumo match with the leader of a rival tribe.
The first sumo matches were a form of ritual dedicated to the gods with prayers for a good harvest. They were performed with sacred dancing and dramas within the walls of the Shinto shrines.
During the Nara Period (the 8th century) sumo was introduced into the ceremonies of the Imperial Court. A wrestling festival was held annually (every year) which included music and dancing in which the victorious wrestlers participated.
Early sumo wrestling was rough. It combined parts of boxing and wrestling with few or no rules. But at the Imperial Court rules were formulated and techniques developed so that it became more like the sumo wrestling of today.
During the Age of the Samurai, sumo was useful as military training. Later jujitsu was developed as an offshoot of sumo by the samurai. In the 17th century peace was finally restored under the Age of the Shoguns. A period of prosperity followed, marked by the rise to power of the new merchant class. Professional sumo groups were organized to entertain the common people, and sumo has become the national sport of Japan.
Sumo wrestlers are very popular today, something like famous athletes, movie stars, or pop singers are in the United States. In the Middle Ages the sumo wrestlers were also like heroes. Artists painted their pictures and they were treated to free meals by fans. And they could eat a lot!
B. Rules and the Wrestling Ring
A wrestler wins when he forces his opponent outside of a ring or throws him onto the floor of the ring. The ring is small - 15 feet in diameter.
C. The Wrestling Match
After entering the ring each wrestler goes through a series of symbolic movements. He symbolically rinses his mouth with water and wipes his body with a paper towel. Each wrestler also scatters a handful of salt to purify the ring. This is supposed to ensure him against injuries.
The wrestlers then squat and face each other in the center of the ring, crouch forward in a "get set" position supporting themselves with their fists on the ground and proceed to glare fiercely (give mean looks) at each other. They do not begin the match at once, however, but engage in a kind of "cold war". They go back to their corners for more salt, scatter it and return to glare. They repeat the process again and again, usually for a few minutes allowed by the rules.
Then the wrestlers charge to meet in the center of the ring. The match is usually over in a matter of minutes when one of the wrestlers has been pushed out of the ring or thrown to the ground.
The conclusion of the day is the "bow dance" by one of the victorious wrestlers.
Learn more about sumo:
* See "A Beginner's Guide of Sumo" for an introduction to modern matches between real Japanese sumo wrestlers.
* For an interesting history of sumo, and to know how the ruling family won possession of the islands through a sumo match.
* Check out "The Story of Canada Yama" educational materials on sumo at [Need Adobe Acrobat Reader download] This is a comic book version giving much information about sumo.
* Read another detailed introduction to the history of "Sumo Wrestling".
* Schauwecker's Guide to Japan has a very good list of links to everything sumo!
* See paintings of Sumo wrestlers during the Edo period at the sumo museum.
II. Ju-jitsu (Empty-Hand Fighting Style)
Ju-jitsu evolved over 2,500 years ago. It is the combination of many fighting techniques that either originated in Japan or were brought to Japan from neighboring China or Korea. The roots of Ju-jitsu can be traced back to the legendary gods Kajima and Kadori, who used the ju-jitsu techniques against the inhabitants of an eastern province as punishment for their crimes.
Nearly 2,500 years ago in China, Ju-jitsu and its philosophies developed. This "open-hand" fighting techniques were practiced combined with the wrestling sports in Japan in 230 B.C. From 230 B.C. onward, many different schools of Ju-jitsu were formed. "Empty-hand" techniques were practiced, along with weapons, as part of the samurai warrior's training during the Heian period (circa [about] 784 AD). In approximately 880 A.D, a Jiujitsu school was formed by Prince Teijun.
Photo from AJJF, forbes
During the period of Japanese history between the 8th and 16th centuries, there was constant civil war and many martial arts systems were utilized [used], practiced, and perfected on the battlefield. This training was used to conquer armored [wearing armor] and armed [having weapons] opponents. Many close fighting and weapons techniques were created and mastered at this time.
A school of Jiujitsu was founded in 1532. This school taught both armed and unarmed fighting techniques. In 1559, a Chinese monk named Chin Gen Pinh came to Japan and established a school for Kempo known as the (China Hand), which was adopted by Jiujitsu. Shortly after another martial arts master also migrated to Japan from China, bringing with him Ch-an Fa and Korean Tang Su a punching and nerve striking skill and method of fighting. These skills were also adopted by Jiujitsu.
Approximately 1603, Japan came to a fairly peaceful period following the formation of the Tokugawa military government. During this time, known as the Edo period (1603-186
cool , the feudal civil wars and unsettled feelings and emotions within many people had plagued Japan for centuries started to disappear. Martial arts styles began to use more weaponless styles, which incorporated many of the grappling ground fighting techniques of the weaponed styles. Universally, these techniques were known as Jiujitsu. It has been estimated that over 750 styles of Jiujitsu were in existence in Japan during the Edo period.
At the end of the Edo period originated the beginning of the Meiji Restoration period in which power had transferred from the Shogun back to the Emperor. Many samurai warriors had supported the Shogun during the war and as a result, lost much status [social standing] and esteem [respect, honor] when power was restored to the Emperor. A law was introduced, making it a crime to practice the old style or method of martial arts of the original samurai. Samurai were also forbidden from carrying their swords or similar weapons. The art of Jiujitsu had nearly disappeared during this period, but had eventually survived because some masters began to practice the art underground in hiding, or in other countries, until the ban was lifted in the mid-twentieth century.
Jiujitsu has become the basis for other fairly new martial art styles such as judo, and is referred to as "the calm and gentle art" whereby pressure points, kicks, sweeps and throws, grappling and other effective techniques are combined to counter an attacker with ease.
[Adapted from History of Jujitsu, The Gentle Arts]
See the History of Ju-jitsu - "the gentle arts"
III. Judo
Judo is a modern sport which came from Jujitsu, or fighting without weapons, and from Chinese and Korean martial arts like Kung-Fu and Tae-Kwan-Do. The purpose is to use hands and feet, and to throw the opponent to the ground.
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Learn more about judo:
* Judo (which came from Jujitsu - or fighting without weapons) is described at Cal. State Bakersfield's site.
* Also see "Judo's History and Techniques"
* And "Judo: the Japanese Art of Self-Defense"
* See some short video clips of judo matcher (judoinfo.com)
IV. Karate
Karate developed in the southern Japanese island of Okinawa. The people of Okinawa have been influenced by both China and Japan. The Okinawans developing their own forms of martial arts by combining Chinese Boxing and other fighting forms. Early karate was known as to-de (Tang Hand) in recognition of the Chinese influence.
In the 1800's karate was further developed. There are many legends concerning one teacher's prowess [skill], and he is said to have died undefeated. He named his system "Shaolin Ryu" after the legendary Chinese temple.
Today karate is a popular sport in many countries. There are several different schools, or styles of karate.
Read "A short history of karate."
V. Archery [Kyudo]
The earliest known inhabitants of the Japanese islands were hunters and gatherers known as the Jomon. They relied [depended] heavily on the use of the bow. Their bows were of different lengths, but most were short. The Jomon bow was primarily used as a hunting tool, but it is quite probable that it was also used in tribal warfare and ritual.
From around 250 B.C. to A.D. 330 the Yayoi culture flourished. During this time the bow came to be used as a symbol of political power. Legend says that Japan's first ruler was Emperor Jimmu, (illustration at right) who ascended [went up, rose] to the throne in 660 B.C. While many historians dispute [argue, disagree with] this, the fact remains that in paintings and descriptions of his life Jimmu is always depicted [shown] holding a long bow, a symbol of his authority.
The Ancient Period (330 - 1190 A.D.)
During this period Japan was strongly influenced by Chinese culture. It was then that ceremonial archery became an important part of the court system. The Japanese bowmakers also began to borrow the composite construction [made from two or more parts] used by the Chinese and by the tenth century had developed a two-piece composite bow using bamboo and wood. The Ancient period also saw the rise of the samurai, or warrior class, and the bow saw even greater use as a weapon of war as the samurai struggled to establish themselves as a powerful new social class.
The Feudal Period
In 1192 Minamoto no Yoritomo was granted the title of shogun, or military governor, and established stricter standards for his warriors. As part of that training they learned mounted archery in a more formal manner. It was during this time that the schools of archery technique came into their own [became important in society]. One of the teachers standardizing the training of archery.
During the Feudal period the construction of the Japanese bow reached its peak. By the late sixteenth century it was regarded as being near perfect in design, so the bamboo and wood laminate bows used in modern kyudo are nearly identical to those made four hundred years ago.
The end of the sixteenth century also spelled the end of the bow's usefulness as a weapon of war when Oda Nobunaga, commanding soldiers armed with guns (muskets), defeated the opposing force of archers in a major battle in 1575.
The Transitional Period
In the seventeenth century Japan's period of civil war ceased and Japanese archery gradually changed from the technique of fighting with a bow to the way of personal development and sport. The Transitional period also saw common people become more involved with the practice of archery.
Adapted from Kyudo History
* Japanese Archery [Kyudo "the way of the bow"] equipment and the Meishin Kyudojo Homepage
* See London's Kyudo Society's webpage
* See "Kyudo : Japanese Archery"
Japanese samurai were also famous for their ability to shoot from a horse, as shown below:
painted by Ebine Shundo
VI. Fencing [Kendo "the way of the sword"]
The "soul of a samurai" was his swords which were not permitted to be carried by other classes.
The history of kendo
In the 12th to 15th centuries, sword fighting skills were important for samurai warriors. In addition to skill, the ability to remain calm under pressure was important. It was then that Zen Buddhism became an integral [important, required] part of the training through ritual and philosophy like it has in many other martial arts.
Modern kendo is based on traditional Japanese sword fighting designed to practice the most efficient ways of attack and counter attack. Today these forms are no longer appropriate as fighting with swords, and kendo has adapted them into a sport similar to fencing where points are given according to where on the body you hit someone with a bamboo stick. During the seventeenth century the shinai (bamboo stick) and armor were introduced and this was perfected in the late eighteenth century. The same items continue to be used today.
Modern kendo equipment (Photo courtesy of What is Kendo? website)
Learn more about kendo:
* What is kendo? An excellent site where you can learn a lot!
* Strategy, the Way of the Sword
VII. Other weapons
Kenjutsu (Long Staff) the long staff (naginata) and short staff (jo)
Woodblock Print by Tsukioka (Utagawa) Yoshitoshi.
Games -
The game of Go was very popular in early Japan. It is played with black and white stones on a checkered pattern. The idea is to surround the enemy of the other colored stones and take their pieces. It was a kind of "chess". It also emphasized strategies that would be important in war. Because of this, it was popular with the nobles (aristocrats) and the samurai.
Go is probably the oldest board game in the world. It is said that the first Emperor Qin Shi Huang of China - himself a mythological figure - invented the game in order to improve the mind of his slow-witted son.
Although it originated in central Asia, historically it was in Japan that the game really flourished [did well, grew]. Introduced into Japan around 740 A.D., Go was initially [at first] confined to court circles. It gradually spread to the Buddhist and Shinto clergy [priests, workers in a temple], and among the Samurai. Then Go took root in Japanese society. The Japanese call the game Igo, which has been shortened to Go in the West.
The Japanese government recognized the value of the game, and in 1612 the top Go-playing families were given grants to start Go schools. Over the next 250 years, the intense rivalry among them brought about a great improvement in the standard of play.
http://www.sfusd.k12.ca.us/schwww/sch618/japan/MartialArts/Japanese_Martial_Arts.html 
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