Jutsu/Do

[Bartrum]

Has anyone come across or does anyone have any knowledge of Karate 'Jutsu'? I'm interested to know what the major differences are compared to Karate 'do'.

I assume its along the same lines as Judo/Jujutsu, Kendo/Kenjutsu, Aikido/Aiki-Jujutsu and so on but what are the main differeces when it comes to Karate.

B

[Shizentai]

well, technically speaking, the word "do" (道) as in "Karate-do" means "the way," which is why it is often used as a suffix for Japanese or Okinawan martial art styles/organizations.

"Jutsu" (術) has two common meanings in Japanese martial arts. One is "technique(s)" so if someone was talking about their "Karate-jutsu," they may have been referring to their individual moves, not a style per-se.

However, the other meaning of "jutsu" (術) is "art" such as in "bijutsukan" (美術館) which is Japanese for "art museum." For that reason, some martial arts organizations founded in more modern times have adopted this suffix "-jutsu" in lieu of "do." This explains the examples you gave: Jujutsu, Kenjutsu, and aikijujutsu. Some karate styles/organizations founded in more modern times have opted to use this suffix as well to distinguish themselves from other styles/organizations, while still maintaining the root "karate" to explain thier lineage. Some examples I found of this with explanations in thier links are as follows: Kuma-Ryu Karate-Jutsu, Karate Jutsu Association.

Sorry I can't say more on the differences in training themselves, I have no personal experience there. ^_^'

[honoluludesktop]

While the use of these words have changed over time, the primary difference between "Bujitsu" and "Budo" is found in the "day to day" practice of martial culture. Martial arts moved from "jitsu" to "do" when the Samurai were no longer allowed their katana, and the associated rights of their status in modern society. Today, "do" is associated with the practice of martial culture without its traditional "rights".

[sojobo]

While the use of these words have changed over time, the primary difference between "Bujitsu" and "Budo" is found in the "day to day" practice of martial culture. Martial arts moved from "jitsu" to "do" when the Samurai were no longer allowed their katana, and the associated rights of their status in modern society. Today, "do" is associated with the practice of martial culture without its traditional "rights".

Hello,

As honoluludesktop says, the change of wording is as much to do with cultural atmosphere of the time - no doubt crystalised as a result of things like the end of the "Shogunate" in the 1860’s

However, the main reason for the development of the aspects of "do" (or way) was as a result of the influence of Zen philosophy in the Japanese culture - in the early 17th century.

The deadly techniques found in Bujutsu (or the warrior arts of the samurai in ancient Japan) were combined with the Zen philosophy and practiced with an "ethical" content - essentially becoming "Budo".

As detailed in Roberto Danubio's book "Wadoryu karatedo" in an article by Benito Benitez:

"Do is a principle of Asian ideology, the term originating in Japanese Zen Buddhism. Do can be translated as way, path, maxim teaching philosophy, direction, principle or method. At the center of every Asian path there is always the practicing of a skill. However the goal is not the acquisition of any particular skill, but the expansion of one's own potential and the search for and development of one’s own capabilities and opportunities."

I think sometimes people are keen to put a label on something – to somehow separate from other branches of the same art/school, however my way of thinking Bujutsu and Budo coexist within one and other.

Sojobo

[ps1]

Everyone has offered some really great answers for you. I have no disagreement with any of them. However, as a practical application of what many are saying, I offer the following:

Not too terribly long ago the martial arts, primarily in Japan, had fallen out of grace with the general populace. They were seen as a somewhat brutish tie to an ancient past in a country that was desperately trying to modernize itself. It was Jigoro Kano in 1882, with the invent of Judo, who is credited with first adding the "do" suffix to a martial art. This made the arts more palatable to the Japanese population as it highlighted the focus of the art as self perfection, rather than just fighting prowess.

Many of the karate schools which I have entered focus on Karate first as a path that leads us toward enlightenment and self perfection. The teachers at these schools tend to refer to their art as "Karate Do."

Still other schools focus more on the "street" application and self defense of their martial art. While they often teach the exact same techniques as their Karate Do brethren, it is the context in which they teach it that changes. These teachers sometimes refer to their art as "Karate jutsu."

As Sojobo mentioned, however, the two actually coexist within one another. IMO this is a very keen and wonderful observation.

Still there are others, who have taken no time to study either Japanese society or language in even the slightest, that use the term for yet another reason. They use it as a ploy to make money:( If you ask some instructors they will tell you that the "jutsu" suffix means that they have a grappling element. Any instructor that tells you this is simply wrong. They added the suffix in order to attract people that are looking for grappling and Jiujitsu style arts. You should certainly steer clear of those schools. While the instructor may be very skilled, you don't want your first experience with a school to be based on a lie.

[honoluludesktop]

It is correct to say that the idea and practice of bujitsu, and budo existed side by side in olden Koryu. But except for police and the military, bujitsu can not be legally practiced in most modern societies. Unless perhaps, one is in a situation that requires the daily practice of self defense.

While I believe that zen and martial arts share similar concepts in their respective practices, by itself, martial arts is void of morality. Its "mushin" is an achievement of the "fighting mind", not "enlightenment". Of course, this is a personal observation, and other points of view may be equally valid.

[ps1]

It is correct to say that the idea and practice of bujitsu, and budo existed side by side in olden Koryu. But except for police and the military, bujitsu can not be legally practiced in most modern societies. Unless perhaps, one is in a situation that requires the daily practice of self defense.

The Koryu are legal to practice and still are quite regularly. However, the practical daily application of their techniques is somewhat limited in the world of firearms. It's important to remember that, not unlike today's military, unarmed combat was a last resort to the feudal warriors of Japan.

They focus on the use of battlefield weapons from ancient times. Few of those, save for the tanto (knife), rope (for arresting techniques), and perhaps the tanbo (short stick), have any relevance to today's streets.

However, many military strategies that are practiced in them such as rank and file, flanking maneuvers, subterfuge, ambush techniques and so on...are still practiced commonly to an extent.

[sojobo]

It is correct to say that the idea and practice of bujitsu, and budo existed side by side in olden Koryu. But except for police and the military, bujitsu can not be legally practiced in most modern societies. Unless perhaps, one is in a situation that requires the daily practice of self defense.

Some of the techniques can not legally be put into practice maybe - today at least?

While I believe that zen and martial arts share similar concepts in their respective practices, by itself, martial arts is void of morality. Its "mushin" is an achievement of the "fighting mind", not "enlightenment". Of course, this is a personal observation, and other points of view may be equally valid.

Given your other post re Shiomitsu sensei, I take it you are a Wadoka honoluludesktop?

No doubt then you will know therefore that Ohtuska sensei was schooled in Bujutsu (Shindo Yoshin-ryu) prior to his training Karate and his development of Wado ryu. He was also a great humanitarian and his teachings and philosophy was influenced by the Zen Buddhist / Shinto concepts.

Here is a good essay by Tim Shaw:

http://www.wadoryu.org.uk/philosophy.html

Sojobo

[honoluludesktop]

Hi Ps1 and Sojobo, While my roots are in Wado, in practice my karate is as my school evolved since the late 60s. I studied Wadoryu kihon kumite, but know more Shotokan katas, then Wadryu ones. Don't know about the rest of the world, but in my neighborhood, self defense is the only excuse for fighting. And only after you exhaust attempts to run away.

I would classify the contemporary practice of Koryu as budo, not bujitsu as it was in the time of the Samurai. Even in Japan, I do not think (however don't know for sure) you are allowed to wear your katana in public. I imagine there are laws against doing so, in most places in America.

I don't think Otsuka, Shiomitsu, Hirano Sensei, or any moral person is that way because of their art. We are moral because we chose to live by the standards set by the societies we are part of.

But as you know, precise words are often used to express imprecise thoughts. I was introduced to Asai Sensei by my teacher. Asai Sensei believed his karate was karate-jitsu. Kanazawa on the other hand, teaches Karate strictly as budo.

[ps1]

Hi Ps1 and Sojobo, While my roots are in Wado, in practice my karate is as my school evolved since the late 60s. I studied Wadoryu kihon kumite, but know more Shotokan katas, then Wadryu ones. Don't know about the rest of the world, but in my neighborhood, self defense is the only excuse for fighting. And only after you exhaust attempts to run away.

I would classify the contemporary practice of Koryu as budo, not bujitsu as it was in the time of the Samurai. Even in Japan, I do not think (however don't know for sure) you are allowed to wear your katana in public. I imagine there are laws against doing so, in most places in America.

I don't think Otsuka, Shiomitsu, Hirano Sensei, or any moral person is that way because of their art. We are moral because we chose to live by the standards set by the societies we are part of.

But as you know, precise words are often used to express imprecise thoughts. I was introduced to Asai Sensei by my teacher. Asai Sensei believed his karate was karate-jitsu. Kanazawa on the other hand, teaches Karate strictly as budo.

Hi! Good to meet you!

lol I'm sure you're right. I don't think anyone has worn their swords in public for a very long time. However, when I was studying Yagu Ryu under Viol Sensei, he was very clear on the idea we were studying a bujitsu. More specifically, a sogo bujitsu. He was almost offended if one asserted that what he does is a budo.

However, not being raised in a Yagu school, understand perfectly well what you mean. In today's society, very few people are truly practicing an art that will be used every day in combat as the bushi of the past did.