In our time, such Japanese words as " Bujutsu "and" budo "no significant differences are used to indicate a wide range of skills in martial arts, from the battle without a weapon to mastering this, reminiscent of a sword or a spear. But in the Edo period (XVII - Ser. XIX century). The above words have quite different implications and significance. "Bujutsu" refers to methods of warfare, and "budo" meant "military way", the ideal way of life that must lead samurai technician Bujutsu. In those days there were 18 martial arts (Bug dzyuhappan), which included archery and other military weapons, horsemanship, the possession of knives, javelin throwing, self-defense without weapons (jujitsu).

Practice Bujutsu originated in antiquity. By the middle of the Heian period (X-XI cc.) Was created a military class for the protection of newly acquired land and agricultural interests. This class of warriors took bujitsu as part of their culture. Later in the Kamakura era (1192-1333rr.) Military began to play a political role. They were engaged in a number of martial arts, and especially three types of horseback riding archery: kasagake (using umbrellas as targets), yabusame (transmission of the arrows on wooden targets), and Inu-homonyms (shooting at fleeing dogs).

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Many people are interested in question - how many styles of martial arts are. In recent years there were produced  great variety of books, magazines and films that reveal aspects of the origin and development of different styles of martial arts, as well as their styles. Some say that the first martial arts emerged in Japan for about 1 millennium BC, while others suggest that the wandering monks brought the first knowledge of martial arts from China to Japan. There are a large number of conflicting versions about the occurrence of the first styles of martial arts, but in view of the fact that there was no physical evidence, the majority believed that their origins still went out from Japan. But the people of India believe that the first creator of the 64 martial arts was the Supreme God Shiva, and the first teacher was his disciple Parasurama. On their development influenced by a philosophical concept, which is known under the name "yoga". The first references relating to yoga one can find in Vedas (a collection of the most ancient Hindu scriptures written in Sanskrit).

And some martial arts are considered to be created by the legendary heroes of the myths and legends of ancient civilizations. Thus, pankration (martial art, that combine punches and kicks, as well as wrestling technique), according to legend, was created by the Greek heroes Hercules and Theseus. Hercules demonstrated technique Pankration in a fight with the Nemean lion, and Theseus, after killing Minotaur, became a king and created the Isthmian games, which included this martial art.

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