A History of Japanese Martial Arts 

Please have a good look down the playlist and pick the video you want ru-vid.com/group/PLQ_GZYuAJ82Cerv2GaErxkVhyzqoc1lYg

The importance of what they trained in the most was probably based on what martial skills were most important at the time

Because prior to the sengoku era any martial art or skill would of been a close kept family secret. You wouldnt want your powerful neighbor having your war strategies. It wasn't untill they started raising large army's that had a need for written records and teaching family secrets to the masses in hopes your army survives.

Thank you for the video & as always keep up the great work

the appearance of the early Japanese swords is similar to the Chinese with a short handle. And that's why the fighting techniques were certainly taken over from China.

Thanks Ant.

Great topic! I think many, including myself, find it shocking to realize in Japan before the 1500s not so much is known about Martial Arts since many assume the Asian arts are all very ancient. Also a big eye opener for me was learning the first surviving European martial arts manual Walpurgis Fechtbuch aka FECHT 1 (formerly known as I.33) is from around 1320ad-1330ad. Of course there is no living lineage from these early schools but it's not unfair to say there is more information on early knightly combat than on early Samurai combat. For me, even though I am not a Japanese arts practitioner, this is a sad fact. I'd love for more old arts from all around the world to have been preserved. Imagine having a manual on Aztec, ancient Pacific islander, native American or other martial arts

@AntonyCummins Please forgive all the questions… But I have another one if you don’t mind. After watching your two or three samurai and shinobi martial arts videos, I know I should just use the term Japanese martial arts. But when talking about unarmed combat with solely the body (punches, kicks, throws, grappling etc.) which term should I officially use? I get confused with all the different terms floating about. Aikido? Judo? Taijutsu? Jiu-Jitsu? Aiki-Jiu-Jitsu? Aiki-Budo… And the list goes on. Any clarification you have sir would be greatly appreciated because I really need legitimate clarification. Thank you for your time.

Can you tell a site regarding ancient martial schools of japan

No, not to an incorrect state. Karate was originally China hand. This gave evidence to its origin. It was only after the restoration that the kara character was changed to mean empty. So karate definitely had origins in China. The kata practiced, for instance, in shotokan some come from the Chinese temples. These are the upper level kata such as the bassai series.

Would these arts be considered re-active or pro-active, or will it matter on situation and/or style?

Hi Antony, would it be fair to say that early samurai used a lot of Chinese arts. Shuai Jiao, Chin Na and weapons arts and modified them to suit their needs cultural landscape and mindset?

What about non-samurai martial arts in Japan? Presumably fewer historical records?

Well.. I don't think you can do much mounted archery in a temple 🤣

time immemorial

Karate isnt Japanese. You consider okinawa as a separate entity even when the names and language is almost same... Ryukyuan is a Japanese family language. Plus if you think it vame from China why doesnt kung fu form have Kata forms themselves. They appear to be stupid fake dance movements....

I thought martial arts in Japan were over 2000 years old in Japan. I thought they were imported from China 2000 years ago