This
web-page was written to explain the full repertoire of the martial
traditions extant within Japanese martial arts (Nihon budō).
Many western practitioners are largely unaware of the material, and
its importance. All contained within these pages, and more, are an
integral part of the martial traditions of Japan, and in the opinion
of many, make up the larger part of it (as opposed to the rudimentary
physical methods of armed and unarmed combat.)
These
contents derive from two separate facts of history relevant to Nihon
budō (Japanese martial
arts):
-
Nihon
budō is derived from and in some contexts is an integral part of
Shintoism. Like most older native religions, Shintoism contains a
very healthy focus on the basics of life, what Christianity would
have called an “earthy religion” meant to provide the
necessary tools for survival in this world. The tendency in such
religions as Shintoism is to espouse life in this world and to
provide the tools and means by which one might live a better and
happier life. As such, being descended of Shintoism, Nihon budō
also contains a certain amount of this information, however, it
often has something of a paramilitary bent in it's interpretations,
due to the intended role of Nihon budō in Japanese society`
-
The
outplay of history which eventually produced and afforded us with
Nihon budō includes the events of social transformation sparked
by the advent of merchants and capitalism in our societies.
Mercantilism is the practice, methods and spirit of merchants and
commercialism. The theory and system of political economy prevailing
in Europe and elsewhere immediately after (and one major cause of)
the decline of feudalism. The advent of mercantilism caused people
to realize that another path of accomplishment existed and that
social conventions such as nobility could be acquired by routes
other than by birth-station. It also brought to their attention the
fact that proper business concerns for one's own affairs could
easily result in much improved lifestyles. Japanese martial
traditions also went through these transformations (the
tale is an interesting one, check it out sometime)
and so many ryūha schools of bujutsu ended up abandoning the
fighting arts and instead became practitioners of mercantilism. But
to this day, they are still budō ryūha they just don't
teach or practice fighting... they do mercantilism. Modern budō
is chock full of these concerns, codified and standardized. Westerns
usually don't know this and so are berefted of this very valuable
aspect of martial arts.
一身上の経済
Isshinjō
No Keizai Personal
Business
Affairs
所持金及び所持品
Shojikin
Oyobi Shojihin Money
in One's Possession and Possessions in Hand
Return
to Discussions Homepage
|
