Aegis
Purple Belt
I noticed that RyuShiKan mentioned that a style needs to have been around for a few years in order to legitimately be known as a "Ryu". My question is this: in the context used by most martial art names (for example, Wado-ryu karate) what does the word Ryu actually mean?
In addition, though this has not been brought up by anyone to my knowledge, what does the word "Kan" mean, and how does it differ to the word ryu (obviously not just in pronunciation). I'd always thought that the two words were more or less interchangable, but then I'm not exactly much good at Japanese. In fact, that's an understatement: I can barely speak a word!
Thanks in advance.
In addition, though this has not been brought up by anyone to my knowledge, what does the word "Kan" mean, and how does it differ to the word ryu (obviously not just in pronunciation). I'd always thought that the two words were more or less interchangable, but then I'm not exactly much good at Japanese. In fact, that's an understatement: I can barely speak a word!
Thanks in advance.