Discovering the World of Japanese Martial Arts: 8 Schools, 8 Experiences

Hey everyone, it's Bobby from Q2Japan. Today, we're embarking on a unique journey through the martial arts landscape of Tsuyama. I've lived here for quite a while now, and over the years, it seems like more visitors are yearning for that authentic, quote, off-the-beaten-path experience in Japan. Maybe it's the Golden Triangle Overload, where too many people are visiting Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto, but who knows? But the real question is, how do you find these hidden gems? And more importantly, as a visitor, how do you actually get to experience them? Well, fret not, because in this video, I'm going to share with you seven Japanese martial arts experiences waiting for you up in Tsuyama. And well, I did just say seven, but we actually managed to squeeze in a bonus experience, so stick around until the end of the video to find out which one it is. But, before we dive into the dojo footage, it's important to note that every martial art in every school is unique. It kind of reminds me of a certain house system in a popular wizarding world. As you watch this video, try to determine which house or dojo you think you belong to, and let me know in the comments which martial art you chose, because some of you may enjoy a more meditative mind-body experience, while others crave that high-octane thrill of a hand-to-hand spar. Now, without further ado, let's explore our first martial art. First up, judo. For those of you who don't know, judo is a form of gi grappling that focuses primarily on throws and submissions. According to the International Judo Federation, there are around 40 million judoka or judo practitioners worldwide, making it one of the most popular martial arts, even being a summer olympic staple. It was nice to see at the school that the teachers ensure a fun learning environment, introducing kids to the fundamentals, and making those intimidating throws accessible with proper training. Learning how to do ukemi, or breaking your fall, is one of those fundamentals. And I gotta say, the little ones grappling with one another is just adorable. It seemed like the kids were having a lot of fun at practice, despite being tossed around like ragdolls and being pinned to the floor. And I was impressed by how well-mannered and open a lot of the kids were, especially in front of the camera. When I asked the teacher how he felt about foreigners trying out judo at their school, this is what he had to say. In my opinion, judo is not only one of the most practical martial arts for self-defense, but it's practiced worldwide, making it easy to continue training wherever you're from. However, it's not just about being able to throw someone into submission. These teachers want their students to become confident, respectable members of society. And if that's something that appeals to you, come check it out. Number two on the list is a martial art you may not have heard of before. It's called kyudo. Kyudo is a type of archery martial art. You'll notice that there's no yelling or tussling in a kyudojo. It's quite serene. Unlike the fast-paced action of other disciplines, kyudo offers a more meditative experience. Rather than facing an opponent, like in most martial arts, kyudo is more about looking inward and facing yourself, so to speak, fending your mind and body to focus, blocking out unnecessary distractions, like a random content creator pointing his camera at you. And for those of you who are wondering, there are several unique traits that separate kyudo from western archery, such as the shape of the bow, the materials used for arrows, and the ceremony involved with kyudo. But one thing that really caught my attention was the fact that there is no sight on kyudo bows. Kyudoka must rely entirely on their eyes and muscle memory to hit the mato, or target, which is pretty impressive. And you may have noticed already, but the age range of practitioners is quite wide. I was impressed by how anyone from any background can begin kyudo. Take this person who's a retiree who started kyudo just six months ago. I don't want to make people feel uncomfortable. I think there are a lot of mistakes that can make people feel uncomfortable. But as a person, I have a lot of manners and rules in kyudo, so I'm still more interested in what's interesting. I'm glad when I hit a beautiful bow, rather than the one that hits the target. I don't feel uncomfortable at all. I may be older, but what I've been doing for a long time, even for a young teacher, I've been doing it for a long time. I'm doing it because I want to pass on what I have. When I receive something, I thank the person who gave it to me. Until I visited this kyudo dojo, I hadn't really thought about the beauty of bows, arrows, and dojos before. But I see it now. I really like the atmosphere of kyudo, such as the atmosphere of the bow and the atmosphere of this dojo. It's not in the room, it's outside, it's integrated with the outside. In other words, there is a corner and a side door in the room, but in this case, there are seasons, so for example, when it snows a lot and it's very cold, I can face myself when I'm playing. I'm very grateful that I can play with the beautiful bow I like in the place I like. So the sport's meditative nature, among other attractive features, make it increasingly popular, especially with school-age individuals. But one of the most truly outstanding things about kyudo is that it's a long-term martial art. You can't expect to hit the mato on the first try, or even the thousandth try, but that's part of the fun, or process, at least. In order to hit the mato, you need to have a solid foundation. That foundation is called shahou hatsusu. You can do it hundreds, thousands, even tens of thousands of times, and after 5, 10, or 20 years, you'll get the hang of it little by little. If you can't do that, you won't be able to play the right bow. So, with all that said, even if you don't participate in practice, I think visiting a kyudo dojo is an experience worth having. Yes, other dojos also have beginners' classes, so please visit them. Up next is kendo. I've covered kendo before on my channel, and watching the practices just never gets old. There's a calm before the storm, so to speak, as the kendoka silently gear up for practice, followed up by the customary bowing as you see in many martial arts. They do some warm-up exercises, and then practice the fundamentals. After practicing the basics, the kendoka practice sparring sessions that replicate an actual match. As a side note, I think the footwork involved with kendo is really interesting. It's very blitz-like and linear. In one moment, they're basically just standing there measuring their opponent's distances, and then boom, they zoom past each other. Due to their long hakama that hide their legs, and their athletic speed, it can be difficult to cast their movements, and their upper bodies move quickly too. I mean, in this clip, just try counting how many times the guy on the left hits the one on the right. Starting in 3, 2, 1. Now, I'll play it again, but in slow motion. That's pretty fast, and he's just a teenager. And you may be wondering, doesn't that hurt? And the answer is, no, as long as people follow the rules. But there are three important factors that prevent frequent injury in kendo. One is that the protective gear, or bōgu, does a good job of keeping you safe. The second is that the shinai, or bamboo sword, is constructed in a way that widely disperses the energy of the swing upon impact. And the third is that the objective of kendo sparring is not to incapacitate your opponent, but to earn points. They do so by hitting the head, called men, or wrist, kote, and stomach, dō. They don't practice hitting any part of the body that doesn't earn them points. Though throat strikes, or tsuki, do exist, they're typically not allowed for kids' competitions. And if you're wondering about all that yelling, it's called kiai, and it's an essential part of kendo. Another essential part of kendo is zanshin, which I'll just let the expert explain. There's one thing to keep in mind about taizu. And another thing to keep in mind about zanshin, and this is just my own interpretation, is that in other sports, you do gatsu poses, and you're happy, and you're able to express that happiness with your body. But in kendo, if you do that, no matter how many times you take a strike, you're going to be taken out. That's a special rule in kendo. And another thing that I think is attractive about kendo, and that's included in zanshin, is that some people take a strike and win, and some people take a strike and lose. So until you're out of the ring, you have to think about your opponent, and you don't have to worry about winning or losing. You have to be polite until the very end. I think that's the beauty of kendo as a martial art. So kendo isn't just about competition. It teaches manners and tenacity. Even in the face of challenges, there's always another chance if you're willing to try. Trying on the gear alone is an experience that helps you understand the sport's unique qualities. So if kendo seems like the right fit for you, get ready to gear up. Oh, and actually, just a few weeks after filming at this dojo, I got to meet a group of kendoka from Hawaii who were visiting Tsuyama to experience the area's martial arts. It was cool to see, despite the language barrier, that these people from vastly different parts of the world were able to connect and establish friendships through kendo. Oh, it's great to do kendo here. We have a small dojo in Hawaii, but we don't get to do it with a lot of people because Hawaii is very isolated. So to come here is really a privilege to do kendo with everybody here. In Hawaii, we're very far away, but we feel very grateful to the traditions from Japan and that they're not just for Japanese people, but they can develop the spirit for the whole world. Especially right now, we need people in the world with more courage, more aloha, more caring for each other, and budo is the way to do that. So we came here as part of the sports tourism event to practice kendo. Yeah, and just the whole experience. There's a lot of history here, a lot of awesome places to see. I mean, if it's up to me, everybody would do kendo. Now, on to the next martial art, the national sport of Japan, sumo. Now, to be fair, this may not be a sumo beya or a professional sumo wrestling school, but this small group of rikishi, or wrestlers, are undeniably charming. Sumo, rooted in the Shinto religion, traditionally involves a sacred ring But outside this elementary school, it's more about making the ring symmetrical than anything else. Whether you're a girl or a boy, anybody who wants to can come practice. These little rikishi practice after school for about 30 to 40 minutes, and then pack it up. The kids' motivations are straightforward, too. And the simplicity of the small-town sumo tradition, to me, is heartwarming. It's about having fun with friends and locals, as well as learning good manners. And something to note was, despite practicing in the cold, gritty dirt, no one ever got hurt during practice. The kids and the teachers are quite mindful of avoiding injuries and keeping it all within the rules. I gotta admit, this sumo group was not what I expected, but they were like a breath of fresh air for me. And if I had a son or daughter, I'd definitely want them to try out sumo here. Next is Shorinji Kenpo. Shorinji Kenpo is a relatively recent martial art created in Japan, with roots to Shaolin Kung Fu. At first glance, I thought that Shorinji Kenpo would be similar to karate. But while there is a self-defense and striking element to Shorinji Kenpo, there's an even heavier emphasis on philosophy. That is, the founder of Shorinji Kenpo, So Doshin, was a devout Buddhist, and wanted his martial art to help teach the ways of Zen Buddhism. He had seen the horrors of war in China and in Japan, so he created this martial art to educate a kinder, more peaceful Japanese populace that builds rather than destroys. So the purpose of doing Shorinji Kenpo is not to become the strongest fighter, or to win sparring competitions. As you can see, they do learn self-defense techniques, and train their bodies in order to stand up for themselves in dangerous situations. But the main idea of Shorinji Kenpo is to show kindness and build discipline. The kids I saw seemed to have a lot of fun at practice, and the teachers were all very kind. By teaching the kids, they become more energetic, and their voices become louder. Also, for example, they can put their shoes together. Seeing that they can do a lot of different things, is a lot of fun, and it's worth doing. So, if you're a bit hesitant to try out the heavier hitting martial arts, but you still want to have that martial arts experience in Japan, try out Shorinji Kenpo. Now on to possibly the most famous martial art, Karate. Out of all the martial arts I went to shoot, I think the Karate lesson had the most intense atmosphere. For me, it was nice to see parents practicing alongside their kids during the lesson. It's something I don't see too often in martial arts schools. The concentration and focus displayed by the students during Kata and Kumite exercises was pretty impressive. And in case you were wondering, Kumite is sparring, the rules for which vary with each Karate style. This particular dojo practices Shito-ryu, which emphasizes speed during Kumite. Kata are dance-like patterns that Karateka practice to memorize their movements. And because of the way Shito-ryu was developed, it also has the largest number of Kata forms out of any Karate school. And compared to other martial arts I covered for this project, Karate training reminded me a bit of military-style drills. There was a lot of emphasis on unity, strength training, and listening to the teacher. It didn't matter if you were a white belt or a black belt, you did what everybody else was doing. And while there are a lot of competitions in the Karate world, it was encouraging to hear what the teacher had to say about his goals as a sensei. I did my best to do my best. However, my way of thinking has gradually changed. Rather than winning a match, I think it's important to be courteous, to greet, and to praise your opponent. cherish that kind of feeling. to do that now. I want to raise children who are not only strong in Karate, but also useful to the world This is my real wish. I want them to not only move forward, but also win against their strong opponents. I want them to see me fighting with that kind of feeling, and I want them to see me being able to do things I couldn't normally do. I'm happy when I see that. One of the things I like about Hondo-sensei is that he has the power of persistence. There are times when Karate is hard, and there are times when it's hard, but by continuing that, I think I can become stronger both mentally and in terms of Karate. So, if you've always wanted to try out Karate, and maybe even try it as a family, it's waiting for you up in CIMA. The seventh martial art is Aikido. Aikido stands apart from other martial arts with its fluid dance-like movements. Unlike Karate or Shorinji Kenpo, Aikido avoids punches or kicks almost entirely. The founder, Morihei Ueshiba, believed in self-control and harmony, making it a unique form of self-defense. Learning a martial art isn't always about being able to use it in daily life. Sometimes it's just about being healthy and learning a new skill, or finding a community where you feel like you belong. While some may debate its practicality, Aikido teaches calmness when under attack, making it valuable in situations requiring de-escalation. It's also quite effective when you're facing multiple assailants, or even individuals with weapons. Aikido is a martial art that's not just about Since the core concept of Aikido is to use the opponent's energy against them, it's quite hard to learn the techniques on your own. Unlike a punch or a kick, which you can practice in front of the mirror, or with a sandbag, these joint locks and pressure point techniques only really make sense when you're with another person who knows what they're doing. Now, if you've ever been in a wrist lock, you know that it hurts. The techniques used in Aikido could easily injure your joints. But, because its practitioners are taught restraint and consideration to their opponents, you really don't have to worry. It's also why tapping is important. And when I asked about visitors trying out Aikido, the teacher brought up a good point. It's quite interesting to see how people can really feel the sense of Aikido. I'd like to teach Aikido, but I'm not that used to it yet. It's faster to get used to it Well, if that person wants to do it, that's fine, but... But with all that said, if Aikido is something you want to try out while you're in Japan, get ready to have some fun. Alright, we've reached 7 martial arts. Judo, Kyudo, Kendo, Sumo, Shorinji Kenpo, Karate, and Aikido. And as promised, here's the 8th bonus martial art we got to cover. Iaido The art of drawing a sword Like Kendo or Karate, I've covered Iaido on my channel before. In fact, it's my most popular video for some reason. But I do see the appeal of the martial art from an audience perspective. I mean, you get to see people using a katana. But something I need to make clear about Iaido is that it's a non-combative martial art. Unlike Kendo, where you face an opponent head-on, in Iaido, you almost never use a sharpened blade against an opponent. What Yamashibu sensei said really made sense to me. Iaido and Kendo seem like a great complementary pair of disciplines. Combining the combative spirit and physicality of Kendo with the meditative and graceful techniques of Iaido just seems to make sense. That is, if you have the time and resources. Practitioners typically use a blended sword called an Iaito during lessons. But for testing, like you see here, called Tameshigiri, they switch to a sharpened Shinken. During a Tameshigiri, Iaidoka usually use tatami mats or straw bundles, depending on the dojo. And despite that sharp edge, it's really not as easy as you might think to cut through those things. So it's not like you're trying to cut through it. It's more like you're trying to cut through the straw. That's how you swing your sword. If you put too much force into it, it won't go like, bam! It won't work. You have to swing it straight. If you put too much force into it, it won't work. Your wrist will loosen up, but I put too much force into it, so it's difficult. At first, I couldn't do it the way I wanted to. I didn't enjoy the training at all. But as I got better at it, I started to enjoy it more and more. In my opinion, Iaido is one of the many ways in Japan that people are able to pass down ancient traditions while adapting to a peaceful age. And luckily, there are Iaido schools near Tsuyama that are open to visitors, with friendly teachers like Jikibara Sensei. My name is Ayaka Jikibara. Today, a group of people from Hawaii came to see me. Some of them had never held a sword before, but they were able to do it because they were trained. They were able to hold a sword and swing it straight. They were able to learn very quickly. I thought it was amazing. I can't speak English, so I had to speak in Japanese. Hiromi-san, the translator, translated for me. But everyone was able to move while watching me move, so I was able to feel that even if the language doesn't work, it can still be conveyed. It's a Japanese culture, so I hope that many people will be able to understand and be interested in it. I hope that many people will be able to learn about it. And that wraps up our journey to eight different martial arts schools in Tsuyama, Japan. Not many people, even in Japan, have heard of Tsuyama, but the area has a rich martial arts history with stunning scenery and tons of potential, making it an ideal off-the-beaten-path Japan experience. The nearby town of Mimasaka is said to be the birthplace of Miyamoto Musashi, who, for those of you who don't know, is considered one of the greatest Japanese swordsmen to have ever lived. According to legend, he never lost a duel even once. Regardless of whether you believe that, though, he was definitely the founder of the Niten Ichiryu sword style of wielding two katana at the same time, which has continued to live on to this day. So, if you're interested in visiting Tsuyama, contact the people via the email I've left in the description. Tanaka-san is in charge of logistics right now, but in case you're watching this years from now, I'll try to update the information as much as possible. And big thanks to the Tsuyama Budo Gakuen and the Japan Sports Tourism Association for making this adventure possible. I've included some of the organizers' final thoughts at the end of this video. It's always interesting to see how many people are involved in these types of adventures, from the large organizations to tour guides, local teachers, and, of course, the guests. I felt that this is a region where many local people, including children, are interested in Budo. I felt that this is a region where culture is very much alive. I felt that this region has a lot of potential for selling Budo as a form of tourism in general. I felt that this region has a lot of potential for selling Budo as a form of tourism in general. It's not that I can't speak English, but I can speak both right and left. Also, I can communicate with them by looking at their movements. I can communicate with them by looking at their movements, I think that's the best way to communicate with them physically. That's always fun, getting to actually see and feel everything that's happening. I would definitely recommend this, it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience I don't think I could find anywhere else.