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Old 02-15-2002, 08:26 PM   #16
Peter Goldsbury
 
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Dojo: Hiroshima Kokusai Dojo
Location: Hiroshima, Japan
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I agree with Ubaldo's comment.

There was a thread somewhere on the meaning / origin of the Chinese character as in " (Budo). The character combines the radicals for advancing on foot and hoko (spear or halberd).

Of course, this is a notoriously difficult topic, for the presentday meaning of a character is quite different matter from its etymology. The earliest metal archeological remains in Japan appear to be double-sided swords and spear heads.

The Musashi story, of course, is famous, as is the character of Benkei, but both are relatively recent in Japanese history. Another curiosity: jukendo is a 'gendai budo' in Japan; jodo is not. Presumably both are descendants of more ancient 'jutsu'. Or is it more a matter of terminology

Best regards,

P A Goldsbury
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