What is the difference between "martial arts"; and "sports", which are traditional Japanese cultures that are highly evaluated overseas?

Starting with 2020, judo, kendo, sumo, etc. are summarized by the word "martial arts" as opposed to other sports called "sports". Even if you feel that "martial arts" come from traditional Japanese martial arts, not many people can clearly answer the difference from "sports".

Here, we will go back to the roots of "martial arts" and "sports" and explain the clear differences between the two.

What is the traditional Japanese "martial arts"?

Traditional Japanese "martial arts" include kendo, judo, karate, and sumo, all of which include the word "michi."A "road" is a process. It can be rephrased as a way of life. In other words, "martial arts" means finding and practicing one's own way of life, as well as aiming to master the technique.

What is the meaning of martial arts words?

The etymology of the word martial arts comes from the Edo period Bushido. Bushido is the "samurai thought", the so-called samurai spirit, and is one of the moral ideas that expresses the strength to face one's own heart. Rather than overwhelming others and appealing their strength with the power and skills gained through practice, the emphasis is on polishing the inner side.

After the Meiji Restoration, "martial arts" was developed from ancient martial arts. Ko-ryu refers to ancient Japanese swordsmanship, jujutsu, sumo, etc., and the Meiji government considered making traditional Japanese martial arts a compulsory subject at school. At that time, the idea of Bushido was added, which is to polish the inner side and form a personality through the acquisition of techniques through martial arts training.

It is important to pursue the technique and spirit

The most important thing in martial arts is the unity of "mental skills". To improve your martial arts skills, you must not only strengthen your body but also your mind. Martial arts is to hone your mind, improve your morality, and develop an attitude of respect for etiquette. That is why all of the ancient Japanese techniques such as sumo, kendo, judo, and naginata begin and end in ritual.

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What is the difference between martial arts and sports?

The most obvious difference between martial arts and sports is the expression of emotions about winning and losing. Unlike soccer and basketball, where you hug your friends every time you score a point and explode your joy, in kendo and judo, even the posture after taking one is asked, which can affect the outcome. At the root of this is the difference in roots. The roots of martial arts are the profession and work of samurai, and sports began with play.

The roots of martial arts and sports are the opposite

Bushido begins with the samurai's view of the profession, Bushido. The roles of the samurai who were allowed to carry swords are what we now call riot police and police. Every time there was a dispute, he rushed in and pulled out his sword to defeat the bad guys or rule them round. It's a life-threatening profession of slashing and slashing, so you can't swing your sword unnecessarily. It goes without saying that a high spirituality that governs oneself was required. Bushido is the knowledge of a samurai who controls himself, and it has been passed down to Bushido.

On the other hand, the etymology of sports is the Latin word deportare, which means to leave work. In other words, sports are about getting away from work, enjoying leisure time, and playing.

Although similar and non-martial arts and sports, their roots are the exact opposite of work and play. The difference in emotional expression regarding points and victory or defeat may also come from that.

The presence or absence of zanshin is also a factor in the difference

Martial arts have the word Zanshin. Even after deciding on a great one, stay alert and be prepared for the next attack. We don't rejoice with the audience like we do in soccer, baseball and basketball. It's a big difference between martial arts and sports.

It is a remnant of Bushido that has passed through the life-and-death shrine that requires a modest attitude that keeps calm and does not win or lose. It is a sign of respect for the opponent who fought openly. Especially in kendo, there is a strict rule that one with no zanshin is canceled.

A type of traditional Japanese martial arts called martial arts

There are nine types of traditional Japanese sports culture called martial arts: kendo, judo, kyudo, sumo, naginata, karate, Shorinji Kempo, aikido, and jukendo. In every event, the training of the mind and body is regarded as one thing. In other words, hone your skills and hone your heart are synonymous, and it is a way of personality formation that enhances morality and fosters an attitude of respect for etiquette.

Here, we will introduce two of the nine types of martial arts, judo and kendo, and introduce each martial art.

About martial arts in judo

Judo is a martial art that evolved from Judo as an ancient martial art. Compete for throwing, grappling, and atemi skills to decide the outcome. In judo, small players and large players sometimes play games, and small players can use the power of large players to win. The word used in such cases is "softly control stiffness". Strength that does not rely solely on power is required. That is martial arts in judo.

About martial arts in kendo

Originally, the way samurai learned the sword's law by themselves was called kendo. It is the current kendo that has been systematized, wearing armor, and fighting with a bamboo sword. The most prominent example of the martial arts spirit in kendo is the cancellation of a single judgment based on the presence or absence of zanshin.

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Summary

I have explained the difference between "martial arts" and "sports" by tracing back their etymology and roots. It goes without saying that personality is formed in the process of training in "sports" other than "martial arts". However, it is "martial arts" that adds spirituality to the process and moves it to a height beyond victory or defeat. Beautiful works that do not express emotions unnecessarily are unique to "martial arts".

This article is a partial re-edit of the article published in Nihongo Biyori by KARUTA.
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