Dai Nippon Butoku Kai
Encyclopedia
is a Japanese martial arts
organization established in 1895 in Kyoto
, Japan
, under the authority of the Ministry of Education and sanction of the Emperor Meiji
. Its purpose, at that time, was to standardize martial disciplines and systems throughout Japan. This was the first official martial arts organization sanctioned by the government of Japan
. It promoted the martial virtues of samurai
warriors and high historical proficiency in martial disciplines
.
. To facilitate the continuation of these traditions, the Meiji Government permitted the group to perform the following:
schools, or ryū
, recognized by the DNBK in the early 1930s. The system was founded by Yasuhiro Konishi
, a practitioner of Shindo Yoshin-ryū Jujutsu
who trained with many of the first Okinawans to teach karate in Japan
. Konishi trained with Gichin Funakoshi
(founder of Shotokan
), Kenwa Mabuni
(founder of Shitō-ryū), Chōjun Miyagi
(co-founder of Gōjū-ryū), legendary fighter and teacher Motobu Chōki
, and Morihei Ueshiba
(founder of Aikido
).
Konishi's organization, Japan Karate-dō Ryobu-Kai, has spread worldwide, with branches in more than 20 countries under the leadership of Yasuhiro (Takehiro) Konishi, 10th dan, and the guidance of Kiyoshi Yamazaki, 8th dan, International Director and Chief Instructor. Shindō Jinen-ryū draws heavily from both Shotokan and Shitō-ryū but also extensively utilizes aikido, jujutsu, and kendo
principles and techniques, reflecting the founder's background. Japan Karate-dō Ryobu-Kai is the only organization associated with the six original styles of karate that has never experienced an internal schism, and it remains the sole unifying body for Shindō Jinen-ryū Karate-dō.
, the Supreme Commander of Allied Powers issued a directive to dissolve all military-related organizations, and the DNBK was broken up. In 1952, the Kokusai Budoin (now the International Martial Arts Federation
) was established in the same tradition as the DNBK. In 1953, the present DNBK was reestablished with a new charter and the new philosophical vision, but not with an official assignment like in pre-World War II days. The DNBK aims to improve international understanding and world peace through promotion of martial arts training, education and service.
Japanese martial arts
Japanese martial arts refers to the enormous variety of martial arts native to Japan. At least three Japanese terms are often used interchangeably with the English phrase "Japanese martial arts": , literally meaning "martial way", , which has no perfect translation but means something like science,...
organization established in 1895 in Kyoto
Kyoto
is a city in the central part of the island of Honshū, Japan. It has a population close to 1.5 million. Formerly the imperial capital of Japan, it is now the capital of Kyoto Prefecture, as well as a major part of the Osaka-Kobe-Kyoto metropolitan area.-History:...
, Japan
Empire of Japan
The Empire of Japan is the name of the state of Japan that existed from the Meiji Restoration on 3 January 1868 to the enactment of the post-World War II Constitution of...
, under the authority of the Ministry of Education and sanction of the Emperor Meiji
Emperor Meiji
The or was the 122nd emperor of Japan according to the traditional order of succession, reigning from 3 February 1867 until his death...
. Its purpose, at that time, was to standardize martial disciplines and systems throughout Japan. This was the first official martial arts organization sanctioned by the government of Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
. It promoted the martial virtues of samurai
Samurai
is the term for the military nobility of pre-industrial Japan. According to translator William Scott Wilson: "In Chinese, the character 侍 was originally a verb meaning to wait upon or accompany a person in the upper ranks of society, and this is also true of the original term in Japanese, saburau...
warriors and high historical proficiency in martial disciplines
Japanese martial arts
Japanese martial arts refers to the enormous variety of martial arts native to Japan. At least three Japanese terms are often used interchangeably with the English phrase "Japanese martial arts": , literally meaning "martial way", , which has no perfect translation but means something like science,...
.
Meiji Era
During a time when foreign influence was viewed as a threat to Japanese identity, the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai was formed chiefly to perpetuate Japanese cultural traditions such as bugei and bushidoBushido
, meaning "Way of the Warrior-Knight", is a Japanese word which is used to describe a uniquely Japanese code of conduct and a way of the samurai life, loosely analogous to the concept of chivalry. It originates from the samurai moral code and stresses frugality, loyalty, martial arts mastery, and...
. To facilitate the continuation of these traditions, the Meiji Government permitted the group to perform the following:
- Hold exhibitions and tournaments,
- collect weapons and equipment,
- maintain documents detailing classical combative arts, and
- publish martial-arts related material
Origins
is one of the six original karateKarate
is a martial art developed in the Ryukyu Islands in what is now Okinawa, Japan. It was developed from indigenous fighting methods called and Chinese kenpō. Karate is a striking art using punching, kicking, knee and elbow strikes, and open-handed techniques such as knife-hands. Grappling, locks,...
schools, or ryū
Ryu
* Ryū , a school of thought or discipline ., a book by Ryūnosuke Akutagawa* Ryū , a series by Masao Yajima and Akira Oze* Ryu , a common Korean family name...
, recognized by the DNBK in the early 1930s. The system was founded by Yasuhiro Konishi
Yasuhiro Konishi
was one of the first karateka to teach karate on mainland Japan. He was instrumental in developing modern karate, as well as a driving force in the art's acceptance in Japan. He is credited with developing the style known as Shindo Jinen Ryu ....
, a practitioner of Shindo Yoshin-ryū Jujutsu
Jujutsu
Jujutsu , also known as jujitsu, ju-jitsu, or Japanese jiu-jitsu, is a Japanese martial art and a method of close combat for defeating an armed and armored opponent in which one uses no weapon, or only a short weapon....
who trained with many of the first Okinawans to teach karate in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
. Konishi trained with Gichin Funakoshi
Gichin Funakoshi
was the creator of Shotokan karate, perhaps the most widely known style of karate, and is attributed as being the 'father of modern karate.' Following the teachings of Anko Itosu, he was one of the Okinawan karate masters who introduced karate to the Japanese mainland in 1921...
(founder of Shotokan
Shotokan
is a style of karate, developed from various martial arts by Gichin Funakoshi and his son Gigo Funakoshi . Gichin was born in Okinawa and is widely credited with popularizing karate through a series of public demonstrations, and by promoting the development of university karate clubs, including...
), Kenwa Mabuni
Kenwa Mabuni
was one of the first karateka to teach karate on mainland Japan and is creditied as developing the style known as Shitō-ryū .-Achievements:# Funakoshi Gichin learned kata from Kenwa Mabuni: In order to expand his knowledge he sent his son Gigō to study kata in Mabuni's dōjō in Osaka.# Kenwa Mabuni,...
(founder of Shitō-ryū), Chōjun Miyagi
Chojun Miyagi
was an Okinawan martial artist who founded the Goju-ryu school of karate.-Early life and training:Miyagi was born in Higashimachi, Naha, Okinawa on April 25, 1888, the adopted son of a wealthy businessman. He began his study in Karate-do at the age of nine . He first learned martial arts from Ryuko...
(co-founder of Gōjū-ryū), legendary fighter and teacher Motobu Chōki
Motobu Choki
The Okinawan karateka , younger brother of karateka Motobu Chōyū, was born in Akahira Village in Shuri, Okinawa, then capital of the Ryūkyū Kingdom....
, and Morihei Ueshiba
Morihei Ueshiba
was a famous martial artist and founder of the Japanese martial art of aikido. He is often referred to as "the founder" or , "Great Teacher".-Early years:Morihei Ueshiba was born in Tanabe, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan on December 14, 1883....
(founder of Aikido
Aikido
is a Japanese martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba as a synthesis of his martial studies, philosophy, and religious beliefs. Aikido is often translated as "the Way of unifying life energy" or as "the Way of harmonious spirit." Ueshiba's goal was to create an art that practitioners could use to...
).
Konishi's organization, Japan Karate-dō Ryobu-Kai, has spread worldwide, with branches in more than 20 countries under the leadership of Yasuhiro (Takehiro) Konishi, 10th dan, and the guidance of Kiyoshi Yamazaki, 8th dan, International Director and Chief Instructor. Shindō Jinen-ryū draws heavily from both Shotokan and Shitō-ryū but also extensively utilizes aikido, jujutsu, and kendo
Kendo
, meaning "Way of The Sword", is a modern Japanese martial art of sword-fighting based on traditional Japanese swordsmanship, or kenjutsu.Kendo is a physically and mentally challenging activity that combines strong martial arts values with sport-like physical elements.-Practitioners:Practitioners...
principles and techniques, reflecting the founder's background. Japan Karate-dō Ryobu-Kai is the only organization associated with the six original styles of karate that has never experienced an internal schism, and it remains the sole unifying body for Shindō Jinen-ryū Karate-dō.
Post-war
In 1946, after the end of World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the Supreme Commander of Allied Powers issued a directive to dissolve all military-related organizations, and the DNBK was broken up. In 1952, the Kokusai Budoin (now the International Martial Arts Federation
International Martial Arts Federation
' is a Japanese Budō organization founded in 1952 to provide access to archives of historical information and sources of traditional instruction, as well as to promote Japanese martial arts. It is the civil successor organization of the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai and a foundation of the Japanese...
) was established in the same tradition as the DNBK. In 1953, the present DNBK was reestablished with a new charter and the new philosophical vision, but not with an official assignment like in pre-World War II days. The DNBK aims to improve international understanding and world peace through promotion of martial arts training, education and service.
United States of America
The DNBK's Virginia (USA) division was founded in 1972, and subsequently the USA division was established in 1985. In 1992, the DNBK's International Division Headquarters was established in the USA.Martial disciplines
Disciplines which are officially approved and recognised by the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai include the following:- AikidoAikidois a Japanese martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba as a synthesis of his martial studies, philosophy, and religious beliefs. Aikido is often translated as "the Way of unifying life energy" or as "the Way of harmonious spirit." Ueshiba's goal was to create an art that practitioners could use to...
- Daitō-ryū Aiki-jūjutsu
- Jōjutsu
- JudoJudois a modern martial art and combat sport created in Japan in 1882 by Jigoro Kano. Its most prominent feature is its competitive element, where the object is to either throw or takedown one's opponent to the ground, immobilize or otherwise subdue one's opponent with a grappling maneuver, or force an...
- JujutsuJujutsuJujutsu , also known as jujitsu, ju-jitsu, or Japanese jiu-jitsu, is a Japanese martial art and a method of close combat for defeating an armed and armored opponent in which one uses no weapon, or only a short weapon....
- KarateKarateis a martial art developed in the Ryukyu Islands in what is now Okinawa, Japan. It was developed from indigenous fighting methods called and Chinese kenpō. Karate is a striking art using punching, kicking, knee and elbow strikes, and open-handed techniques such as knife-hands. Grappling, locks,...
- KendoKendo, meaning "Way of The Sword", is a modern Japanese martial art of sword-fighting based on traditional Japanese swordsmanship, or kenjutsu.Kendo is a physically and mentally challenging activity that combines strong martial arts values with sport-like physical elements.-Practitioners:Practitioners...
- Kosshijutsu
- KyūjutsuKyujutsuis the traditional Japanese martial art of wielding a bow. Although the samurai of feudal Japan are perhaps best known for their swordsmanship with a katana , kyūjutsu was actually considered a more vital skill for a significant portion of Japanese history...
- Iaidō Iaidois a modern Japanese martial art associated with the smooth, controlled movements of drawing the sword from its scabbard, striking or cutting an opponent, removing blood from the blade, and then replacing the sword in the scabbard...
- Okinawan kobudōOkinawan kobudoOkinawan kobudō is a Japanese term that can be translated as "old martial way of Okinawa"...
- SōjutsuSojutsu, meaning "art of the spear" is the Japanese martial art of fighting with the Japanese .-Origins:Although the spear had a profound role in early Japanese mythology, where the islands of Japan themselves were said to be created by salt water dripping from the tip of a spear, as a weapon the first...