Did Japan have Kiai Jutsu before 20th century? What happened to it today?

Kiai jutsu = breaking boards ??
I thought it was about spirit “shout”, and that for sure has been around in Japan long time.
Find some vid of Jigen-ryu and you’ll know.
 
Kiai means ‘unification of Ki [and body]’. It does not require any vocalisation and can be accomplished silently. This is how it’s used in many schools of swordsmanship. The shout, if used, is known as ‘kakegoe’.
 
Well, I will say that it looks like Korean striking arts do a helluva lot more breaking than Okinawan and Japanese karate. I don't know where breaking originated, and I don't care. I'm not too concerned about breaking as, as the late great Bruce Lee once said, "Boards don't hit back."
 
, as the late Bruce Lee once said, "Boards don't hit back."
I don’t think board breaking is about enhancing fighting ability. It’s about testing one’s mettle by doing something difficult and indeed painful, using one’s natural weapons. It is a bit silly, though.
 
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