Question for Doc (types of arts)

[Celtic_Crippler]

To be perfectly honest, I'm not sure exactly what you mean by a "way" art as opposed to any other. Would you mind elaborating on that and/or defining what types of arts there are in your opinion and how they differ? I am seriously interested in this and want to hear your insights. Thanks!

[Doc]

To be perfectly honest, I'm not sure exactly what you mean by a "way" art as opposed to any other. Would you mind elaborating on that and/or defining what types of arts there are in your opinion and how they differ? I am seriously interested in this and want to hear your insights. Thanks!

The short version sir;

[bKarate-do[/b], or way of the empty hand
ju-do, or gentle way
ken-do, or way of the sword.
Aiki-do, or the way of bringing ki (or chi) together
Kyu-do, or the way of the bow.

At the end of WWII Japan had outlawed most of their martial and military arts, much as they had disarmed the samurai earlier in the 19 century. All of these had given way to cultural discipline arts. All of these are called 'way' or 'Do' arts with the exception of jiujitsu. Thus all of Japan's Cultural Arts end in "do." "Do" means "way." The emphasis is on the physical activity itself, and not fighting as a form of cutural and personal enlightment and discipline. Deeply rooted in the culture, many exercise, rituals, etc have nothing to actually do with the martial arts in general and fighting in particular. Thus the way you performed as taught by the founder was more important than any other aspect. This is the origin of the false importance of lineage in combatant arts. Staying true to the way of the founder and his lineage meant you were on the right path culturally for the chosen lineage. For arts that are not cuturally founded in the way philosophy like "Modern Kenpo, JKD, etc.," this has very little significance or meaning. These modern arts are performance based, regardless of origin or lineage, and effectiveness is the only true criterior.



JUJUTSU,

is sometimes called the father of the Japanese martial arts, with both Aikido and Judo developing directly from it. Jujutsu means "gentle art," or "to conquer by yielding or compliance." As one of the oldest Japanese martial arts, it originally, but not exclusively, stressed unarmed combat against armed opponents. It was studied by the Samurai to compliment their sword and spear techniques. It is the primary exception to the "way" arts but is limited with the exclusion of the sword.

JU-DO,

or the "gentle way," is a modern Japanese martial sport of wrestling that emphasizes throws and locks. It is also the origin of Brazillian Juijitsu. Judo would differ from Jujutsu in that it was no longer about street fighting, but considered "a mature form of physical education" that helped a person "to understand and demonstrate the living laws of movement" as an integral part of every aspect of life. Founded by an educator, it requires sport competition for advancement, and is the origin of the belt ranking systems in the martial arts.

AIKI-DO,

is a strictly Japanese martial art, embodies the three concepts that comprise its name: Ai, meaning harmony; Ki, meaning the spirit, or source of energy; and Do, meaning the "Way." Together they signify the way in which one can attain harmony with one's spirit. As such Aikido has deep religious undertones, which make it a way of life. In the words of its founder, Aikido is "the way of the love of mankind."

KEN-DO,

or the "Way of the sword," is the Japanese martial sport of swordfighting. Kendo's popularity grew rapidly as means of physical exercise and of spiritual developement. The Japanese Kendo Federation, founded in the early twentieth century, described its objectives clearly:
"The aim of Kendo training is to mold the mind and the body, to cultivate a steady and firm attitude, to work with perseverance in order to progress in Kendo through the true and rigorous training, to hold courtesy and honor in high esteem, to deal with others with sincerity and finally, always to pursue the perfecting of oneself."

IAI-DO,

was founded in the middle of the 16th century. It is perfomed with a katana or Samurai sword, and the object is to draw the sword and strike so fast that the opponent is unable to defend against it. Iaido is built upon the old skill of Samurai iaijutsu where a Samurai would draw his sword when caught by surprise and kill his attacker in one move as the sword was drawn. Iaido is a noncombative art.

So you see, these art forms emphasize that, other than street fighting skill, and were never intended to be about street combat. And although Jiujitsu is an actually fighting art, it is a partial art best utilized as an addition to other arts as its origin demonstrates.

He who has all the answers and ask no questions, gets no answers. There are no secrets, only things you don't know because you haven't discovered the right question to seek the answer to. Thanks for asking a question sir.

[Doc]

You're welcome.

[John Brewer]

You're welcome.

Thanks great info