Tag Archives: Martial Arts

Japanese Martial Arts

Japanese martial arts refer to the variety of martial arts native to the country of Japan. At least three Japanese terms are used interchangeably with the English phrase Japanese martial arts. The usage of term budō to mean martial arts is a modern one and historically the term meant a way of life encompassing physical, spiritual and moral dimensions with a focus of self-improvement, fulfillment or personal growth. The terms bujutsu and bugei have different meanings from budo, at least

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Philosophical and Strategic Concepts of Martial Arts

Aiki The principle of aiki (合気) is particularly difficult to describe or explain. The most simple translation of aiki, as “joining energy”, belies its philosophical depth. Generally, it is the principle of matching your opponent in order to defeat him. It is this concept of “matching”, or “joining”, or even “harmonizing” (all valid interpretations of ai) that contains the complexity. One may “match” the opponent

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