Budo - Definition and Overview

Budo (武道) is a term for Japanese martial arts. Traditional budo (from before the Meiji restoration) is often referred to as koryu bujutsu, while more modern budo arts are called gendai budo.

Budo is a construct from the Japanese root words "bu" (war, warrior, fight, fighter) and "do" (way, path). Thus, it is most often translated as "The Way of War" or "the Way of the Warrior". Budo more correctly represents a discipline and way of life specific to the idealized Japanese warrior. It is distinguished by many terms from the actual technical skills and techniques of the warrior, such as Bujutsu ("Warrior's Artistry" or "Warrior's Skill") Kyudo ("The Way of the Bow"), Kendo and Kenjutsu ("Way of the Sword" and "Sword Artistry" or "Sword Skill").

See also

• Bushido
• Japanese sports
• Hagakure (Hidden Leaves) by Yamamoto Tsunetomo
• Go Rin No Sho (The Book of Five Rings) by Miyamoto Musashi

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