Article "Budo" : International Traditional Karate Federation

"BUDO" - The First Budo Congress

Last Updated: 11.03.2007

C. Benefits of Budo

1. Physical Health

Budo is a physical art which especially benefits health because breathing and mental power

make the body move from the body center. This type of training activates and stimulates

internal organs resulting in the healthy development of the human body.

2. Character Development

The aim of Martial Arts is the unlimited seeking of a higher level of personal development of

mind, body and spirit. The requirements of Martial Arts training can develop the person’s

character as follows:

(a)

Decorum

In training, students learn to be humble, modest and always respectful of instructors,

training partners and others. This disposition also

creates harmony in the training

area and in social situations as well.

(b)

Stable Emotion

Training develops stable emotions and enables a person to react calmly with correct

judgment and action during training as well as in other situations.

(c)

Seriousness of Intention

Serious training with a focused attitude prepares one to make the right decisions as

one learns to focus mentally and physically in training as well as in daily life.

(d)

Self Challenge

Striving to improve oneself each day is the aim of Budo. The study of Martial Arts is a

continuous effort; laziness and idleness are discouraged.

(e)

Self Discipline and Hard Training

Hard training and discipline are fundamental to Martial Arts. Modern sports

psychologists agree that discipline and training are keys to overcoming self-doubt,

fear and nervousness.

(f)

The Budo doctrine of “Thinking by Mind, Acting by Ki”

With this type of training, one learns to react calmly and act firmly, without fear or

doubt.

Budo was a part of Japan’s mandatory basic educational program from 1911 until the end of

World War II (1945). Many people believe that the mandatory study of Budo in schools is one

factor responsible for the phenomenal rebuilding of Japan after the war.

Today, the Japanese government is planning to reinstate Budo as a mandatory basic

educational program beginning in Middle School by the year 2012.

Remark

(1) Bushido and Budo

Bushido (Samurai tradition) is a moral or ethical code of unending loyalty for the

Samurai’s lord, shogun or emperor. This code was instilled in the Samurai (hereditary

soldiers) during the Tokugawa Shogunate. During times of peace, these professional

soldiers served as general officers for the Shogun or the local government. They

studied Budo; however, most completed only elementary levels, mastering no more

than a few high level techniques. Meanwhile, regular citizens also studied Budo, with

some reaching truly high levels of skill. Because Budo is a physical and mental art

established for the development and fulfillment of one’s human potential by

consistent training in Martial Arts, it is not directly related to Bushido. However,

because of the nature of Martial Arts training, Samurai manners and actions are

evident in most Budo schools. This is the only connection between Bushido and Budo.

(2) Sumo

Sumo had its origins in the battlefield. Later it became a form of recreation popular

among civilians and was a regular event at festivals. In earlier times, Sumo used

kicking techniques. During the 8th century, formal rules were set and eventually

formed the basis of modern Sumo. Around 1300, some Sumo practitioners separated

and developed the combat art of Jujutsu.

(3) Aiki

Aiki originally began with Jujitsu; later, a group separated and developed what later

became Aiki-do.

(4) Karate

Karate evolved in Okinawan Japan as a weaponless Bu-Gei. This art was called Te or

To-de. Around the 1920’s, To-de was introduced to mainland Japan and became

Karate-do.

II. Budo and Competition

Originally, sporting activities were a means of amusement as well as physical exercise. Most
sports set up written rules whereby participants learned the rules for the sole intention of winning in
competition.

Today, nationwide professional sports and international events such as the Olympics are
experiencing tremendous global popularity. At the same time, recreational sports are enjoyed by
millions of people and have become a part of their lives. Naturally many participants in competition
sports have begun to train solely to win. Many athletes have even gone to extremes in order to win
“by hook or by crook”; some have even used chemical enhancers that are detrimental to their health
and today, it seems sportsmanship is going to become a “dead letter” issue. In the case of Budo,
there is the danger that Budo will be lost.

The first nationwide competitions in Budo were in 1899 (Judo) and 1927 (Kendo). Both competitions
had rules that were based on education.

Dr. Jigoro Kano, one of the drafters of Judo rules, said that Judo competition has 3 factors: one is
“Sho-Bu” (technically, victory or defeat); the next is ‘Tai-Iku” (Level of Physicality); and “Shu-Shin”
(Level of Mind). Among these, ‘Shu-Shin” (Level of Mind) is the most important for decision-making.
(“Kodokan Judo” Special Lecture, No. 21, 1900)

It is necessary, then, that preparation for Budo competitions includes the following key elements:

1. Budo competition rules must be established with the same spirit and

principles of each respective Budo. In regular sports, the competition rule of each sport is the

definition of the respective sport itself. If Budo competition rules differ from the original ideals

and principles of Budo, there is a danger that the definition of Budo itself will be changed.

2. In Budo competition, it is possible to have the spirit of “Ippon Shobu”, which is

recognized as “One technique or one move destroys the opponent’s offense power”. As in

real combat and based on Budo, this one technique is delivered in the shortest possible

time using “Todome Waza”, destroying the opponent’s offense power.

Combat is not a game; it constitutes a very serious life or death situation and everything is at

stake with just one perfectly executed and timed technique. This seriousness must be

simulated in regular training and Shiai” (“Testing One Another”) or competitions whereby

success is measured in the development of high level effective techniques as well as the

development of the human character.

Remark

Sometimes, “Sanbon Shobu” (Three rounds) is allowed whereby the winner is determined

by the most rounds won.

If Budo competition uses the point system as in other sports, it will become merely a game

of amusement, destroying the principles and values of Budo.

3. Budo is a philosophy; it is the principle and spirit behind the details of techniques. The

manifestation or expression of these ideas as rules is very difficult. Therefore, it is

necessary that Budo competition rules

be drafted by the top master of each respective Budo.

4. Competition Judges must be experts and possess an in-depth understanding of the

rules and underlying spirit behind these Budo fundamentals.

5. Each respective Budo organization must establish a training system in which Budo

training itself becomes competition training.

6. It is necessary for each respective Budo organization to educate its

members with the

understanding that seeking high-level technique and self-development is more important

than winning competitions.

Budo is a treasure of human culture that has been handed down through hundreds of years as a
priceless heritage. This valuable body of knowledge shows us the way to seek perfection of self
through physical, mental and spiritual training. It is our responsibility to protect and preserve
Budo for future generations.

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