It’s hard to think about Japan without thinking about martial arts, for there are so many different forms practiced in the nation. Judo, Aikido, Karate, Kendo, and Kyudo are all modern martial arts that a visitor to Japan can expect to see and, perhaps, even participate in while visiting the country.

Judo – The Gentle Way

Judo developed from the ancient martial art jujitsu, which generally avoided using weapons. The art form, whose name means the gentle way, does not permit striking or kicking one’s opponent. Instead, softness exceeds hardness, techniques are more important than stamina, and the training of one’s body and spirit are just as important as winning fights.

Aikido – The Way of Harmony of the Spirit

Aikido focuses primarily on self defense, and its techniques allow those who practice it to overcome opponents without using much strength. The key lies in manipulating joints of the arms and wrists. For this reason, aikido has become popular among women and law enforcement officials, for it allows them to overpower individuals who are much larger or stronger.

Karate – The Way of the Empty Hand

Karate is called the way of the empty hand because weapons are not used, as every part of the body can be turned into a fighting weapon. Sharp blows are delivered to pressure-sensitive points on the body of an opponent. There are many styles and sub-styles of karate; some emphasize the use of power and strength, while others focus on developing precision and speed.

Kendo – The Way of the Sword

Kendo means the way of the sword and is the Japanese art of fencing, practiced using swords made of bamboo. Swords have been a popular form of weaponry since first used by the samurai. The sword used in kendo, called a shinai, is lightweight and designed to avoid serious injuries, for it is fashioned out of four long strips of bamboo. Competitors use the shinai to score points by striking their opponent's head, trunk, or wrist, or by jabbing the throat. In a match, the first to score 2 out of 3 points wins.

Kyudo – The Way of the Bow

Kyudo, the way of the bow, is Japanese archery. Unlike its Western counterpart, Japanese archery places strong emphasis on the ritual preparation of each shot. The bow used for kyudo is about two meters long and is made from wood and bamboo. Competitors shoot arrows at stationary targets that are located at distances of either 28 or 60 meters.