There are two types Budo in Japan now. One is Gendai Budo and the other
is Ko Budo.
Gendai Budo consists of styles such as Judo, Kendo, Aikido, etc. Ko Budo
consists of styles such as Jujutsu, Kenjutsu, Bojutsu, etc. Daito-ryu is
one style of Ko Budo.
It is traditionally believed that Japan was unified by various emperors
in the 4th and 5th centuries. In 1192 the first samurai government was
established. In the period up to 1867, three samurai governments were successively
established. The period of Japanese history was known as the feudal period.
Ko Budo is budo that was created in this period ( from 1192 to 1867).
In 1868 the modern Japanese nation was established. It was the end of the
age of the samurai. Japanese society began to modernize. Budo was also
modified to reflect these changes. Gendai Budo is budo that was created
from 1868 onward.
Generally, Gendai Budo is characterized by games and rules, with the exception
of Aikido. The purpose of practice is to win the match.
The purpose of practice of Daito-ryu is not to win matches. Nor is the
final purpose to fight. The purpose of Daito-ryu practice is to better
our own lives and the lives of those around us.
Most of Ko Budo were created about four or five hundred years ago . At
that time Japan was in a period of war. A lot of people had to defend themselves
and their family by themselves. It was very important for them to know
martial arts for self-defense. Their purpose was not to fight, but to survive.
After that period came a time of peace. The
samurai government encouraged the practice
of Budo. However the principle of this was
not to attack but for defense. Yagyu Munenori,
who was an adviser to the Shogun and advocate
of Budo, suggested "Katsujinken".
He explained, " Kenjsutsu is not the
methods to kill a people. It is the methods
to live with peace."
His way of thinking was not completely new. This is the original meaning
of Budo. Bu is written 
in Japanese.
This character is made up two parts. The top half 
means
weapon, and the bottom half 
means
stop. Collectively it means " Stop the weapon."