Martial Art(s) of the Samurai

[Jag-Isshinryu]

Okay, every newbie gets their obligatory "Stupid Newbie" question.

 

I'm sure I'll smack myself for realizing that it's probably common sense knowledge.

 

What is/are the martial art(s) used by the Samurai?

 

Mostly driven by curiosity, but I've been pondering for a few days.

[Davison]

I think the samurai studied a varity of different ma. The one I am most familiar with would have to be aikijutsu and prabably kenjutsu. I could be wrong,I'm no pro when it comes to these questions.

[Shorin Ryuu]

At times like this, I practically kiss my copy of Donn Draeger's Classical Bujutsu on my bookshelf.

 

Classical samurai (and by this I mean around 1000-1400 AD) trained in a myriad of disciplines to prepare themselves for the battlefield.

 

These included Bladed Weapons (Kenjutsu, Iaijutsu, Sojutsu, Naginata-jutsu), Staff and Stick Weapons (Bojutsu, Jojutsu, Tetsubo-jutsu), Archery (Kyuujutsu), Composite Weapons, Grappling (Yoroi Kumi-uchi, which means grappling in armor and is probably the antecedent of jujutsu, Hojo jutsu...the art of tying your opponent up as a captive in battle...) and other things like Bajutsu (horseback riding), Yadome-jutsu (literally the art of stopping arrows...), Suiei-jutsu (Combat in water).

 

I was lazy and just kind of copy-typed a lot of things there...but you get the picture. They trained in quite a bit.

[Jag-Isshinryu]

Sounds like a book worthy of investment.

 

I think I'll search around for a copy.

[Chaz]

Didn't they use kendo? Could be wrong... I was always more fascinated with how they used to have duels. Where they would basically stand nose-to-nose and the first person to lose there concentration was a dead man. Some lasted over 12 hours!!! (If what I read was true...)

[scottnshelly]

These included Bladed Weapons (Kenjutsu, Iaijutsu, Sojutsu, Naginata-jutsu), Staff and Stick Weapons (Bojutsu, Jojutsu, Tetsubo-jutsu), Archery (Kyuujutsu), Composite Weapons, Grappling (Yoroi Kumi-uchi, which means grappling in armor and is probably the antecedent of jujutsu, Hojo jutsu...the art of tying your opponent up as a captive in battle...) and other things like Bajutsu (horseback riding), Yadome-jutsu (literally the art of stopping arrows...), Suiei-jutsu (Combat in water).

 

wow, i'd really be interested in learning some of these, specifically the art of tying someone up and stopping arrows! thanks for the very informative post.