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Atemi

A general and inclusive term referring to the art of striking anatomical weak points. Atemi in some form was prevalent in virtually all Japanese close-range combat disciplines such as that of the sword (Kenjitsu) as well as in later unarmed systems such as Jujutsu and Judo.

BaJujitsu

The art of horsemanship practiced by Japanese professional warriors (Bushi or Samurai) for mounted warfare. It required strict control of the horse's actions on the battlefield . As part of this art, warriors developed their leg strength to enable them to maintain the proper posture for prolonged periods of swift riding and to control the horse with their legs during battle when their arms were occupied with weapons.

Battojutsu

It is an art of quick draw and cut with a sword. The art from which Iaijitsu was later derived.

Bojutsu

Bojutsu is the art of the bo (long staff). Since a wood stick is less dangerous to practice with than with a steel blade, wood weapons were used in Japanese feudal military arts schools.

Bojitsu

Meaning "art of the staff," it is a collective term referring to martial systems employing a bo (long staff, over five feet in length) that developed in Japan, Okinawa, China, and elsewhere. The use of the bo dates back to ancient times. In Japan, hard wood was plentiful and even the poorest person could easily arm himself. The bo was popular among commoners, priest and monks (who were denied many weapons). A shorter version of the bo, called a "jo," also became widely practiced. A whole arsenal of poles, staffs, spiked staffs, and long iron clubs were developed. The bo was sometimes tipped in iron and sometimes totally covered by iron. In modern times, its practice is an inherent part of many styles of karate and Aikido.

To the traditional Samurai armed with a cherished sword, the bo was considered plebeian, a weapon of the commoners, but, because of its effectiveness, it became necessary to understand its use, if for nothing other than for defensive reasons. In Japan, its study focused on techniques useful against an opponent armed with a sword or other weapon. Techniques such as blocking, parrying, striking, tripping, throwing off, off-balancing, striking, and thrusting were often combined into a single movement, the most powerful of which could break a sword or shatter a bone.

The bo has the unique advantage of having two ends, thus each successive technique with one end opens up a possible technique with the other end. The speed of movement of a trained practitioner is impressive. As a wooden weapon, it is comparably safe compared to the sword and other bladed weapons so it is often used as a substitute for actual bladed weapons during weapons practice.

The founder of one of the most effective and famous schools of Bojitsu was Muso Gonnosuke, an expert in the bo who was catapulted into prominence by his loss of a match. Using a bo in a challenge against the two sword legend Miyamoto Musashi, Gonnosuke lost but was spared his life. Gonnsouke is said to have retreated into seclusion atop Mt. Homan where he underwent years of rigid self-discipline. He meditated, fasted, and underwent ritual purification from which he received divine inspiration. This led to development of a shorter version of the bo that allowed a quicker response time. He developed his own special techniques, while borrowing from both bo and sword techniques. He then challenged Musashi again, this time defeating the sword legend. Gonnouke named his style Shindo-Muso Ryu and developed a technical curriculum.

The use of the bo is so widespread that virtually every country has its own tradition. In Europe, the long staff was used by peasants during the middle ages. In China, the bo and other weapons were also widely practiced and often incorporated into various Kung-fu systems. Okinawan also has systems of Bojitsu.

In the Ryukyus of which Okinawa is the largest island, bo patterns are the oldest of martial arts patterns dating back to Matsu Higa, the weapons teacher of Takahara Peinchin. Oral tradition traces bo use of back even further, to the 1400's. After the Japanese (Satsuma clan) occupied Okinawa (1609), although bladed weapons were banned, there is some evidence that the bo was actually allowed to flourish as a means of civilian defense. Today, in Okinawa the bo and other traditional weapons are taught separately, but have been adopted by many karate systems. Since many movements of Okinawan traditional weapons duplicate or closely parallel techniques from karate, some suggest the unique character and style of Karate itself was influenced by these weapons. In researching the techniques used, some authorities have noted the similarity of bo techniques to Japanese spear techniques, something that would support the hypothesis that the Japanese satsumura might have encouraged adoption of bo techniques based on other Japanese weapon systems.

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