Japanese martial arts traditions have, in some cases, been passed down from family to family, from teacher to student, over dozens of generations and hundreds of years. Japanese martial arts emphasize the union of one's physical, mental and spiritual aspects, going far beyond the mere physical act of kicking, blocking or punching.
Aikido
Aikido, developed by Morihei Ueshiba, focuses on using your opponent's energy against him. Instead of blocking a blow, the Aikido practitioner gets out of the way and lets the enemy's force move him down to the ground, where he can be controlled or kept away from the practitioner.
Kendo
Kendo is also known as Japanese fencing and focuses on the use of the shinai (a hollow cylinder formed of bamboo slats) and bokken (a heavy wooden sword) for training and combat. Kendo practitioners wear protective armor and a distinctive lower-body garment, called the hakama, that resembles wide-legged pants or a split skirt.
Iaido and Kyudo
Iaido focuses on the art of drawing and cutting with a sword blade in a single motion. Unlike Kendo, Iaido is typically practiced solo and without protective gear.
Kyudo uses archery training as a path toward developing spiritual energy and discipline. The process of learning to work with the bow, arrow and target is considered a way of meeting and overcoming one's limitations--lessons that can then be applied throughout one's life.
Judo and Ju Jitsu
Judo and Ju Jitsu are practiced for self defense, competition or both. Many mixed martial arts (MMA) fighters study Ju Jitsu to improve their ground fighting and grappling. Both Ju Jitsu and Judo also involve chokes, joint locks and throws; the "Ju" in each style's name translates as "gentle" or "gentleness" and refers to the fact that instead of resisting the opponent's strength, a practitioner goes "with" that strength and turns it against the opponent.
Karate
Karate literally means "empty hand" and is the generic term used to refer to four main styles--Shotokan, Shito Ryu, Goju Ryu and Wado Ryu--although there are a variety of other styles and family-based systems. While many American Karate schools incorporate weapons training into their programs, training in the use of Okinawan weapons such as the bo, sai, tonfa and nunchaku is actually an entirely separate art, Kobudo.
Ninjutsu
Sometimes described as "Japanese espionage," Ninjutsu focuses on protecting the mind, body and spirit. The Ninjutsu tradition has endured through an unbroken succession of Grand Masters, and does not eschew the use of modern weapons when necessary and appropriate; there is heavy emphasis placed on adaptability.
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