Discussion of Japanese Martial Arts and topics that fall outside the other JMA catagories. Cultural discussion welcome.

Aikido emphasizes evasion and circular/spiral redirection of an attacker's aggressive force into throws, pins, and immobilization's as a primary strategy rather than punches and kicks.

Jujutsu is an old, practical, fighting art. A parent to Judo, Aikido, and Hapkido.
Judo is a sport and a way to get in great shape, but is also very useful for self-defense.

Somewhat generic term used for Japanese and Okinawan fighting arts.
Karate is a term that either means "Chinese hand" or "Empty hand" depending on which Japanese or Chinese characters you use to write it.

Kyusho jitsu is a martial art which emphasizes the attack of pressure points on the body.

Surrounded by much controversy, today's "ninjutsu" is derived from the traditional fighting arts associated with the Iga/Koga region of Japan. We welcome members from all Nin-po schools.

Lit. Translation: "Nin" Perseverance/Endurance "jutsu" Techniques (of). Surrounded by much controversy, today's "ninjutsu" is derived from the traditional fighting arts associated with the Iga/Koga region of Japan. These arts include both "bujutsu" ryuha (martial technique systems) and "ninjutsu" ryuha, which involve a broad base of training designed to prepare the practitioner for all possible situations.

Over 70 different "ninjutsu ryu" have been catalogued/identified, however, the majority of them have died out. Most were developed around a series of specific skills and techniques and when the skills of a particular ryu were no longer in demand, the ryu would (usually) fade from existence. The three remaining ninjutsu ryu (Togakure ryu, Gyokushin ryu, and Kumogakure ryu) are encompassed in Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi's Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu system. These ryu, along with six other "bujutsu ryu" (Gyokko Ryu, Koto Ryu, Takagi Yoshin Ryu, Shinden Fudo Ryu, Gikan Ryu and Kukishinden Ryu), are taught as a collective body of knowledge (see Sub-Styles for other info).

This forum is for the discussion of the X-Kan families. They are: BujinKan, Genbukan and JinenKan. They are all decended from the Bujinkan organization of Hatsumi Sensei. Discussions not related to these should go in Ninjutsu General for now.

Kenjutsu , Kendo, Iaido and all arts related to the Japanese sword, as well as discussion of the swords of Japan.

A selection of JMA topics from around the internet. This forum contains a some of the topics from other forums out there. Members can reply here, follow the links over and reply there, or both!

Videos and clips featuring the fighting arts of Japan.