This video has a breakdown of the meaning of the word "KOBUDO or KO-BU-DO" [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1d0MopunnA"]What does Kobudo mean - Part 1 - YouTube[/ame] Kobudo translated as "ANCIENT STOP SHIELD WAY" or "ANCIENT WAY OF STOPPING WAR" The video features Saiko-Shihan Mikio Nishiuchi of, the International Okinawa Kobudo Association (IOKA) Officially formed under this name in 1990 by Saiko-Shihan Mikio Nishiuchi, the International Okinawa Kobudo Association (IOKA) was created to teach traditional Okinawan weaponry with authentic and practical techniques, to maintain high teaching standards, and to retain a core foundation and standardized ranking system. However, he has been teaching this method in the United States since 1978, after returning from Okinawa. He is a direct student of the late Master Shinpo Matayoshi and Master Takashi Kinjo, both of Okinawa, Japan. Does anyone agree with him or know different meanings or have a varying personal idea on the meaning of Kobudo? I have no affiliation whatsoever with Saiko-Shihan Mikio Nishiuchi or the International Okinawa Kobudo Association (IOKA)
OK, Bu （武）in Japanese means either military or war. The character is comprised of two different characters; tomeru (止める) and hoko (戈) which is a very old fashioned type of socketed spear or lance. With this combination in mind, you could say that bu means "stopping/surpressing the spear", but once kanji is used in combination like this, it often does not retain it's original meaning or context. Budo (武道) means military/martial way. Kobudo (古武道) means old/ancient/classical martial way. Also kobudo does not just refer to Okinawan or Ryukyuan classical martial arts, mainland Japan also use the term for their own martial traditions, which is why a lot of people are now using the correct terms; Okinawa Kobudo, Ryukyu Kobudo & Nihon Kobudo. For example, in mainland Japan there are two very prestigious classical martial arts organisations, the Nihon Kobudo Shinkokai (日本古武道振興会) and the Nihon Kobudo Kyokai (日本古武道協会). Both organisations have a couple of Okinawan & Ryukyuan schools in their registers, but the majority are mainland Japanese classical martial arts schools, teaching kenjutsu, iaijutsu, sojutsu, naginatajutsu, jujutsu, etc. That being said, mainland Japanese martial arts also use terms such as; Kobujutsu, koryu budo, koryu bujutsu, koryu bugei and koryu heiho. There is little real difference in their core meanings though. There is no mention of shield though, linuistically. Hope this helps.
