Ryu (school)
Encyclopedia
A Ryū or ryūha (流派, literally "mainstream school (of thought)"), is a Japanese word referring to a school
of thought in any discipline. In English, the word is frequently used to refer to schools of Japan
ese martial art, although it can also be found used in other disciplines (for example Nihonkoryū and Sogetsu
-ryū in ikebana
, Kanteiryū in calligraphy
, etc.).
In the original Japanese, ryū and ryūha are synonymous, with ha (originally meaning "tributary
") being a smaller division than ryū (originally meaning "body of water
").
Ryū is also often translated as "style" (style of martial art, style of calligraphy, style of cooking, etc.).
The name of a style may have particular meaning or may simply be a location. Toyama-ryū
is named for the Toyama
Military Academy in Japan. In contrast, Gōjū-ryū is the 'hard-soft' style, which indicates both characteristic techniques and thematic elements that form a 'signature' of the style. Sometimes this is merged or confused with the name of the dōjō
(as is the case with Shōtōkan-ryū karate
).
High-level practitioners of an established style may splinter off and form their own derivative styles based on their own experience or interpretation. Sometimes this is encouraged by the parent style, sometimes it represents an ideological schism between senior members of the style. Sometimes, it is done simply for 'marketing' reasons or to adjust a system to modern times.
There is no universal licensing or ranking system across all ryūha. A high ranking person or black belt
in one style does not necessarily correspond to a high level understanding in another style or group of styles. There are many ryūha in Japan that have existed for many hundreds of years, as well as many more that were created in modern times. The concept of organizing a codified system is obviously not a Japanese or outwardly Asian one, though many international or foreign styles may adopt the nomenclature and systemization of koryū
bujutsu ryūha in order to add an air of mystique or legitimacy to their system, or simply as a method to show their roots and background.
School (discipline)
A school of thought is a collection or group of people who share common characteristics of opinion or outlook of a philosophy, discipline, belief, social movement, cultural movement, or art movement....
of thought in any discipline. In English, the word is frequently used to refer to schools 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...
ese martial art, although it can also be found used in other disciplines (for example Nihonkoryū and Sogetsu
Sogetsu
Sogetsu is a school of Ikebana, or Japanese floral art.It was founded 1927 by Sofu Teshigahara....
-ryū in ikebana
Ikebana
is the Japanese art of flower arrangement, also known as .-Etymology:"Ikebana" is from the Japanese and . Possible translations include "giving life to flowers" and "arranging flowers".- Approach :...
, Kanteiryū in calligraphy
Shodo
"Shōdō" is the fortieth single by B'z, released on January 25, 2006. This song is one of B'z many number-one singles in Oricon charts. This song was the opening theme of Case Closed.- External links :*...
, etc.).
In the original Japanese, ryū and ryūha are synonymous, with ha (originally meaning "tributary
Tributary
A tributary or affluent is a stream or river that flows into a main stem river or a lake. A tributary does not flow directly into a sea or ocean...
") being a smaller division than ryū (originally meaning "body of water
Body of water
A body of water or waterbody is any significant accumulation of water, usually covering the Earth or another planet. The term body of water most often refers to large accumulations of water, such as oceans, seas, and lakes, but it may also include smaller pools of water such as ponds, puddles or...
").
Ryū is also often translated as "style" (style of martial art, style of calligraphy, style of cooking, etc.).
Ryū in the martial arts
Japanese martial arts are often classified and codified into ryūha. Usually a given style will have its own curriculum, ranks and licensure system. These may be based on the parent style or a combination of sources that form the background of the system.The name of a style may have particular meaning or may simply be a location. Toyama-ryū
Toyama-ryu
is Battōjutsu which refer to a combination of Iaijutsu, kata, and tameshigiri created by the Imperial Japanese Army. It is based on Gunto Soho forms developed in 1925 at the Rikugun Toyama Gakko, or "Toyama Army Academy" in Toyama, Tokyo, Japan. The original training and forms were established by...
is named for the Toyama
Toyama, Toyama
is the capital city of Toyama Prefecture, Japan, located on the coast of the Sea of Japan in the Chūbu region on central Honshū, about 200 km north of the city of Nagoya and 300 km northwest of Tokyo....
Military Academy in Japan. In contrast, Gōjū-ryū is the 'hard-soft' style, which indicates both characteristic techniques and thematic elements that form a 'signature' of the style. Sometimes this is merged or confused with the name of the dōjō
Dojo
A is a Japanese term which literally means "place of the way". Initially, dōjōs were adjunct to temples. The term can refer to a formal training place for any of the Japanese do arts but typically it is considered the formal gathering place for students of any Japanese martial arts style to...
(as is the case with Shōtōkan-ryū karate
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...
).
High-level practitioners of an established style may splinter off and form their own derivative styles based on their own experience or interpretation. Sometimes this is encouraged by the parent style, sometimes it represents an ideological schism between senior members of the style. Sometimes, it is done simply for 'marketing' reasons or to adjust a system to modern times.
There is no universal licensing or ranking system across all ryūha. A high ranking person or black belt
Black belt (martial arts)
In martial arts, the black belt is a way to describe a graduate of a field where a practitioner's level is often marked by the color of the belt. The black belt is commonly the highest belt color used and denotes a degree of competence. It is often associated with a teaching grade though...
in one style does not necessarily correspond to a high level understanding in another style or group of styles. There are many ryūha in Japan that have existed for many hundreds of years, as well as many more that were created in modern times. The concept of organizing a codified system is obviously not a Japanese or outwardly Asian one, though many international or foreign styles may adopt the nomenclature and systemization of koryū
Koryu
is a Japanese word that is used in association with the ancient Japanese martial arts. This word literally translates as "old school" or "traditional school"...
bujutsu ryūha in order to add an air of mystique or legitimacy to their system, or simply as a method to show their roots and background.
External links
- Article about Koryu - North American Bugei Society
- What is a 'Ryu'?, an article by Wayne Muromoto.