Tokyo Jinenkan Dojo

古武道史

History of Kobudo

Kobudo is the general term for traditional Japanese martial arts that were created before the opening of the Meiji Period in 1868. 

The History of kobudo can be traced back to ancient sumo.  The earliest sumo matches were done as religious rituals to please the gods and bring protection against natural disasters such as earthquakes and typhoons.  Outcomes of the matches were also used to predict things such as harvests and good fortune.  These ritual sumo matches were called Shinji-Sumo.  Later, sumo became a form of sporting entertainment for the royal court.  Competitors would enter from all over the country and the winner of the competition got to have his favorite style of dance and music played in the court. 

Yabusame (shooting a target with a bow and arrow while on horseback) has its roots in the archery and horseback competitions also held at the big sumo festivals.  Yabusame and sumo, ironically performed as sports in early Japan, would lay much of the foundation for kobudo when law and order completely broke down in the 16th century.

It was during Japan’s long period of civil war that kobudo skills became systemized into schools.  After numerous battles, exceptional warriors began to stand out.  These warriors would naturally attract disciples and those groups gradually formed into organizations.  While it’s true that a few schools such as Kanto-Shichi Ryu and Kyo-Hachi Ryu (Japan’s earliest sword fighting schools), existed well before the 16th century, the vast majority of kobudo schools were formed during this era. 

When Tokugawa Ieyasu defeated his last rivals in 1600, the wars were over and Japan entered the Edo period (1603-1867).  For over 200 years Japan was free from war both at home and abroad.  Skills of warriors became less necessary and kobudo practice became more theoretical.  Stronger ties were formed with Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism.  Prior to the Edo period, kobudo was referred to as bujutsu.  After the Edo period, when the spiritual side of bujutsu had been well established, bujutsu came to be called budo. 

During the Meiji period (1868-1912), interest in traditional budo faded as Japan pushed towards modernization.  The practice of traditional budo was seen as “not keeping up with the times”.  Gendai-budo (modern day martial arts) such as judo and kendo, created sport-like rules allowing them to hold competitions and gained in popularity.  Those following a more traditional path in martial arts didn’t follow the modern changes and continued to practice techniques true to the scrolls.  By the end of the Meiji period, “ko” (old), was added to the term budo to distinguish ko-budo from gendai-budo. 

東京自然館道場

古武道とは、日本の明治時代前の伝統的な武術の総称です。

日本で最初の武術はやはり相撲ということです。昔の相撲は台風や地震などが起きないように神様にお願いするためのものでした。このような相撲は「神事相撲」といいます。後年力士が宮廷儀式として相撲を取りました。また同じ宮廷儀式である矢術と馬術は鎌倉時代に人気があった

流鏑馬(やぶさめ)の原型です。

戦が起こった時そのような技術は非常に役立ちました。武術が流派化されたのは室町時代にかけてのことです。戦場で強さを発揮した人物は達人として知られるようになりました。門人を集めて鍛え育成する達人はやがてそれぞれの流派を創設しました。室町時代よりも前に創設された流派、例えば古墳時代の剣術の関東七流など、もありましたが大体の古武道の流派はこの時代に始まりました。

江戸時代には国内、国外を問わず200年以上戦争から解放されました。そのため武術は以前より必要ではありませんでした。そして武術が理論的になって仏教、儒教、道教など宗教関係が強化されました。それで「武術」と呼ばれ、江戸時代後期には「武道」とも呼ばれるようになりました。大正時代からは、明治以降に成立したものも含め「武道」とという名称が用いられました。現在では「現代武道」と区別して「古武道」と呼ばれています。