Differences in Japanese Martial Arts Names: From Aikido to Jujutsu

Differences in Japanese Martial Art Names

The Difference Between “Budō” and “Bujutsu”

Budō

bu

war

Translation:

martial way, way of war

dō

way, path

Bujutsu

bu

war

Translation:

science of war, martial craft

jutsu

technique

Budō focuses a lot on a “way of life” or a path. The word tends to refer to the more philosophical aspect of martial arts.

Bujutsu focuses on the technique and physical aspect of fighting. The study of bujutsu is a study on how to best defeat an enemy.

The Differences Among “Daitō-ryū Aiki-jūjutsu”, “Aikido”, “Jūjutsu”, and “Judo”

Daitō

title of a mansion

Translation:

Great Eastern School

ryū

school

ai

joining, unifying, combing, fit

Translation:

to fit, join, or combine energy

Note: Not usually used outside of martial settings

ki

spirit, energy, mood, morale

jū

gentle, soft, supple, flexible, pliable, or yielding

Translation:

art of gentleness

jutsu

art, technique

ai

joining, unifying, combining, fit

Translation:

way of combining forces

ki

spirit, energy, mood, morale

do

way, practice

jū

gentle, soft, supple, flexible, pliable, or yielding

Translation:

gentle way

do

way, practice

Daitō-ryū Aiki-jūjutsu was created circa 1900. The founder, Takeda Sokaku taught Morihei Ueshiba, the founder of aikido.

There are very few Aiki-jūjutsu records on the early schools, but the Daitō school can be traced to the early 1100’s.

Aikido and Jujutsu both originated from Aiki-jūjutsu. Aikido diverged from Daitō-ryū Aiki-jūjutsu in the late 1920’s. Jujutsu is considered the “hard” style of Aiki-jūjutsu, and was used by the military in the early 1600s.

Jigoro Kano founded judo in 1882. It originated from jujutsu.