Budo

Budo is (like Bujutsu) a collective term used to cover the Japanese Martial Arts. Comprising of the Japanese words Bu (war) and Do (way or path) Budo is a relatively modern concept as opposed to the more traditional term Bujutsu (Jutsu being the Japanese word for martial technique). Many traditional Japanese martial arts that were originally 'Jutsu' have been refined and adapted to become more recreational or sport orientated and as a way of developing mind body and spirit. This concept was first introduced by Jigaro Kano the founder of Judo who created his art out of elements of Jujutsu. Jigaro Kano's template (which was the first Martial Art to incorporate the now almost universal Kyu/Dan grade system using colored belts) was later adapted to a wide variety of other Japanese Martial Arts giving rise to many of the styles practised today such as Aikido and Kendo which was derived from Kenjutsu. Though there are differences between the terms Budo and Bujutsu the two are often used interchangeably. Perhaps the best way to differentiate between Budo and Bujutsu is that Budo has a more spiritual connotation whereas Bujutsu is more focused on actual bare bones technique.