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Yamantaka
15th July 2002, 23:51
Hello!

I'm sorry if this has been discussed before. What is the meaning of KOBUDO? Some people told me that it means the weapon arts of Okinawa (Sai, Tonfa, Bo, Kama, Eku, etc...), while other insisted that the word means WAY OF TRADITIONAL FIGHTING ARTS.
What can anybody tell me about that?
Best

Steven Malanosk
16th July 2002, 03:43
Literally translated, KoBuDo, means Ancient Martial Ways.

As KoRyu, means Old School, ie, "Whe're gonna rock it old school.":cool:

kenshorin
16th July 2002, 20:43
Yes, this discussion has come up before. Kobudo, as Mr. Malanosk said, literally translates to "Ancient Martial Ways". It is most commonly used nowadays to refer to the old weapons arts of Okinawa. I believe that in the past, "kobudo" used to include all forms of traditional fighting, both empty hand and weapon; more specifically, kobudo (or kobujutsu) - the ancient martial ways, were what was studied in a koryu - the ancient systems. I am not sure why the shift of the way this term is used, since used loosely, should include empty hand fighting. Can anyone elaborate on this?

Rob Alvelais
16th July 2002, 21:41
When I asked Kenzo Mabuni about Kobudo (meaning the weapons arts of Okinawa) , he didn't understand what I was referring to. He thought I meant the old sword, spear, really old jujitsu, etc arts. However when I clarified, he said, "Oh, Ryukyu Kobudo".

Rob



Originally posted by kenshorin
Yes, this discussion has come up before. Kobudo, as Mr. Malanosk said, literally translates to "Ancient Martial Ways". It is most commonly used nowadays to refer to the old weapons arts of Okinawa. I believe that in the past, "kobudo" used to include all forms of traditional fighting, both empty hand and weapon; more specifically, kobudo (or kobujutsu) - the ancient martial ways, were what was studied in a koryu - the ancient systems. I am not sure why the shift of the way this term is used, since used loosely, should include empty hand fighting. Can anyone elaborate on this?

Doug Daulton
17th July 2002, 03:39
On mainland Japan, koryu (lit. Old Stream/Flow) and kobudo (lit. Old Martial Ways) are used more or less interchangeably to refer to any of the classical martial traditions/systems/schools (eg. Katori Shinto Ryu, Yagyu Shinkage Ryu, Shinto Muso Ryu Jojutsu, Daito Ryu Aikijutsu, etc.). To be defined as koryu/kobudo, an art should have a well-established, historical lineage that generally goes back to feudal Japan and is generally documented by the Japanese government (at least in recent times). Ranks systems seldom (if ever) resemble modern day kyu/dan systems. The teachings are generally not available to the general public.

As with their modern descendants (kendo, judo, aikido), some modern day practitioners of these arts do make a distinction between koryu (as in strictly battlefield/technical killing arts) and kobudo (as in killing arts refined to include a higher spiritual path/polishing). That said, I gather that is the exception rather than the rule. To that point, I recall a conversation I once had with Dave Lowry.

When I mentioned laudable focus of character-building in the <i>gendai budo</i> (modern martial arts) as contrasted by the presumably less character-focused and more technical, blood-thirsty, killing-focus of koryu (my presumptions not Mr. Lowry's) ... Dave chortled. He then said something to the effect of ...
Generally, if one is invited to study koryu, they are already known to the general public ... and more specifically the headmaster or his representatives ... as person of high moral character. Therefore, invitees were not in need of spirit-polishing. Needless to say, that conversation was quite an eye-opener for me. On more than one occasion in the years since that talk, I've found myself ruminating over the implications.

So, what about "kobudo" as it is commonly used today? As alluded to by others, the world has come to mean ... in general usage ... the weapon arts of Okinawa and her sister islands in the Ryukyu chain. While there is no clear cut source to say how the term "kobudo" came to refer to Okinawan weapon arts, I'd venture to say that Taira Shinken's book "Ryukyu Kobudo Taikan" is largely responsible for planting the seed. The first (and only) of a planned multi-volume set (up to 5 volumes depending on who you talk to); "Ryukyu Kobudo Taikan" brought Ryukyuan weapons traditions to the public conscious.

Taira and others saw that Ryukyuan weapons traditions were scattered across the islands and slowly dying off. So, they began to organize the waza and kata into a curriculum which would allow these traditions to survive and flourish for generations. To some extent, the resulting curriculum somewhat mirrors the koryu/kobudo of the mainland. While there is no supporting documentation (of which I am aware), I think it is reasonable to assume that Taira and others began referring to this collective curriculum as Ryukyu "kobudo" as a means of impressing on mainland Japan, as well as their Ryukyuan peers the historic importance and martial value of these traditions. For more information about Taira Shinken, <a href="http://www.e-budo.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?s=&postid=22371#post22371">check out the links found here.</a>

Technically, Ryukyu kobudo does not meet the mainland Japanese definition of koryu or kobudo for a variety of reasons:<ol><li> While certainly based on well-established and very old weapons traditions, Ryukyu kobudo does not have well-documented lineage which spans centuries.<br><br><li>While mainland koryu encompass all martial traditions .. armed and unarmed ... as currently defined/used Ryukyu kobudo focuses solely on Ryukyuan weapons traditions. Old Ryukyuan unarmed traditions are generally referred to as <i>ti'</i>, <i>di'</i> or more recently <i>uchinadi'</i> (Okinawan Hand). In addition, neither <i>ti'</i> nor Ryukyu kobudo include Okinawan sumo (different from the more well-known mainland sumo).<br><br><li>For the most part, mainland koryu are derived from military/quasi-military and/or dueling applications/schools. In this sense, the mainland koryu are true <i>martial</i> (as in derived from war) combative arts. In contrast, the Ryukyu kobudo and other Ryukyuan combat systems are derived , for the most part, from civil/community defense and/or interpersonal (1:1) fighting traditions. In this sense Ryukyaun arts are technically <i>civil combative arts</i> (<a href="#armstrong">see below</a>).</ol>In closing ... while not koryu/kobudo in the original sense/use of the word ... Ryukyu kobudo is no less valuable, relevant and useful than it's mainland counterparts. That said, to be most accurate, it is best to refer to the Ryukyuan weapon arts as "Ryukyu kobudo". This may seem like too fine a point, but I do not think so. Knowing the difference between a peach and a nectarine goes a long way to gaining the respect of the fruit aficionado.

Regards,

Doug Daulton

PS: Apologies for writing a book. I get this question pretty often, so I thought I'd do my best to answer it here. I certainly welcome any additions/clarifications others might have.

<b>References:</b><ul><li><a href="http://koryu.com/library/wmuromoto3.html" target=_blank>What is a Ryu? by Wayne Muromoto</a><li><a href="http://koryu.com/library/mskoss1.html" target=_blank>Classical Martial Arts & Ways: Who, What, When....? </a><li><a href="http://koryu.com/library/kfriday2.html" target=_blank>The Historical Foundations of Bushido by Karl Friday </a><li><a href="http://koryu.com/library/dskoss5.html" target=_blank>Introduction to Field Guide to the Classical Japanese Martial Arts by Diane Skoss</a>
<li><a href="http://koryu.com/library/mskoss7.html" target=_blank>Sticks and Stones Will Break Your Bones: A Look at Jo and Bo by Meik Skoss</a><li><a href="http://koryu.com/library/mskoss4.html" target=_blank>Transmission & Succession in the Classical Arts by Meik Skoss</a><li><a href="http://koryu.com/library/wbodiford1.html" target=_blank>Soke: Historical Incarnations of a Title and its Entitlements by Dr. William Bodiford</a><br><br>All listings above taken from <a href="http://koryu.com/library/titles.html" target=_blank>The Budo Library at Koryu.com</a><br><br><a name="armstrong">For more information on the <i>martial</i> vs. <i>civil</i> combative arts, I strongly suggest you read "Strength and Conditioning for the Combative Athlete" by Hunter Armstrong. It is available for purchase from <a href="http://www.hoplology.com/shop.htm" target=_blank>The International Hoplology Society</a>. I also recommend everything else in their catalog.<br><br><small><a href="http://www.thefruitpages.com/peaches.shtml" target=_blank>Peaches & Nectarines</a></small></ul>

kenshorin
20th July 2002, 13:55
Doug-san,

As always, an excellent post. That fills in many of the gaps I had regarding the modern usage of the term "kobudo," and makes a lot of sense as far as how the shift may have occured.

Thanks again!