Martial arts
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Japanese martial arts are based on centuries-old traditions of military
training and spiritual discipline. The rules of most of these arts (bujutsu
or budo) were formulated in the 15th or 16th century. In 1895 a national
organization was established - the Japan Martial Arts Association.
Each of the martial arts has its own traditions, codes and systems of merit
which are followed wherever in the world people study them. World
championships are held for judo and karete, judo has been an Olympic sport
since the 1964 Olympics held in Tokyo. The bujutsu can be divided roughly
into two groups: Unarmed, including judo and karate, and Armed, the larger
group, including kendo (fencing) and kyudo (archery). There are many armed
bujutsu involving the use of ancient weapons such as halberds, short swords
and chains. All bujutsu are considered to be exercises in self-control,
offering deep spiritual, as well as physical, benefits for those who
practice them.
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