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Blog in Japanese JLPT N4

Japanese Martial Arts: 4 Amazing Styles You’ll Love

Japanese martial arts: two judoka in blue and white uniforms competing at Rio 2016

Discover four Japanese martial arts: judo, kendo, aikido and karate. Enjoy this beginner-friendly Japanese reading with furigana, then check the English translation and vocabulary.

① 柔道じゅうどう

みなさんは、日本にほんの武道ぶどうを知しっていますか？🥋 まずは柔道じゅうどう！相手あいてを投なげたり、おさえたりする武道ぶどうです。道着どうぎを着きて、畳たたみの上うえで練習れんしゅうします😊 私わたしも、中学校ちゅうがっこうの体育たいいくの授業じゅぎょうで柔道じゅうどうをしました！柔道じゅうどうでは、「受うけ身み」も練習れんしゅうするんですよ。受うけ身みは、転ころぶときに体からだを守まもる方法ほうほうです🙌 力ちからだけじゃなくて、体からだの使つかい方かたも大切たいせつなんですね！

Japanese martial arts: two judoka performing a throw during a judo match

② 剣道けんどう

次つぎは、剣道けんどうです！剣道けんどうでは、「竹刀しない」という竹たけでできた道具どうぐを使つかいます。頭あたまや体からだを守まもるために、「防具ぼうぐ」をつけるんですよ😊 練習れんしゅうや試合しあいでは、大おおきな声こえを出だします！私わたしの父ちちは、昔むかし、剣道けんどうをしていました。だから、うちには柔道じゅうどうと剣道けんどうの道着どうぎがありました！🥋 剣道けんどうは、竹刀しないを使つかうだけじゃなくて、礼儀れいぎも大切たいせつにするんですね✨

Kendo practitioner wearing a men helmet and protective armor

③ 合気道あいきどう

合気道あいきどうも、日本にほんの武道ぶどうの一ひとつです！合気道あいきどうでは、相手あいての動うごきに合あわせて、自分じぶんの体からだを動うごかします。相手あいてを投なげる練習れんしゅうなどもするんですよ😊 ただ強つよい力ちからで押おすんじゃなくて、体からだの使つかい方かたが大切たいせつなんです。二人ふたりで練習れんしゅうしながら、少すこしずつ学まなびます。相手あいてを大切たいせつにする気持きもちも、一緒いっしょに学まなべますね🌿

Aikido practitioners demonstrating a technique at the All Japan Aikido Demonstration

④ 空手からて

最後さいごは、空手からて！空手からては、沖縄おきなわで生うまれた武道ぶどうなんですよ🥋 手てや足あしを使つかって、突つきや蹴けりを練習れんしゅうします。それから、「形かた」という練習れんしゅうもあります。決きまった動うごきを順番じゅんばんにするんです😊 一人ひとりで形かたを練習れんしゅうしたり、相手あいてと練習れんしゅうしたりします。体からだだけじゃなくて、心こころも強つよくすることを大切たいせつにしているんですね✨ みなさんは、どの武道ぶどうをやってみたいですか？😄

Karate practitioner in a white uniform performing a kata movement

English Translation

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1. Judo

Do you know any Japanese martial arts? Let’s start with judo! It is a martial art in which you throw or hold down your partner. You wear a training uniform and practise on tatami mats. I also did judo in my junior high school PE classes! In judo, you practise ukemi too. Ukemi is a way to protect your body when falling. So it’s not just about strength—how you use your body matters too!

2. Kendo

Next up is kendo! In kendo, you use a bamboo sword called a shinai. You also wear protective equipment called bogu to protect your head and body. You shout loudly during practice and matches! My father used to practise kendo, so we had both judo and kendo uniforms at home! Kendo is not just about using a bamboo sword. Good manners are important too!

3. Aikido

Aikido is another Japanese martial art! In aikido, you move your body in response to your partner’s movements. You practise techniques such as throws too. It’s not just about pushing with great strength—how you use your body is important. You learn little by little while practising with a partner. Along the way, you can also learn to care for and respect your partner.

4. Karate

Last up is karate! Did you know it developed in Okinawa? You use your hands and feet to practise punches and kicks. There is also a form of practice called kata. In kata, you perform set movements in order. You practise kata alone, and you also practise with a partner. Karate values strengthening your mind as well as your body. Which martial art would you like to try?

Vocabulary List

  • 武道ぶどうJapanese martial arts
  • 柔道じゅうどうJudo
  • 剣道けんどうKendo
  • 合気道あいきどうAikido
  • 空手からてKarate
  • 一緒にいっしょにTogether; along with
  • 相手あいてPartner; opponent
  • 投げるなげるTo throw
  • おさえるおさえるTo hold down
  • 道着どうぎMartial arts training uniform
  • 畳たたみTatami mat
  • 練習するれんしゅうするTo practise
  • 中学校ちゅうがっこうJunior high school
  • 体育たいいくPhysical education; PE
  • 授業じゅぎょうClass; lesson
  • 安全あんぜんSafety; safe
  • 受け身うけみBreakfall; receiving a fall safely
  • 転ぶころぶTo fall over
  • 守るまもるTo protect
  • 方法ほうほうMethod; way
  • 力ちからStrength; power
  • 使い方つかいかたHow to use something
  • 竹刀しないBamboo sword used in kendo
  • 防具ぼうぐProtective equipment; armor
  • 試合しあいMatch; competition
  • 声を出すこえをだすTo use one’s voice; to call out
  • 父ちちMy father
  • 昔むかしIn the past
  • 礼儀れいぎManners; etiquette
  • 動きうごきMovement
  • 自分じぶんOneself
  • 学ぶまなぶTo learn
  • 気持ちきもちFeeling
  • 沖縄おきなわOkinawa
  • 突きつきPunch; thrust
  • 蹴りけりKick
  • 形かたKata; set sequence of movements
  • 順番じゅんばんOrder; sequence
  • 心こころMind; heart

Talk about Japanese martial arts in your next lesson

Which martial art would you like to try? Book a free trial lesson and practise talking about your hobbies and school memories in Japanese. You can also share your answer in the comments!

Learn more from the International Judo Federation, All Japan Kendo Federation, Aikikai Foundation and Japan Karate Association.

Keep reading: Japanese Street Food: 3 Amazing Places You’ll Love.

Photo credits: Judo throw.jpg by Schnuffel2002 / CC BY-SA 3.0; KENDO – Japanese art of fencing. (48107348241).jpg by MIKI Yoshihito / CC BY 2.0; 2013-05-25 51st All Japan Aikido Demonstration.jpg by L’oeil étranger / CC BY 2.0; Kata1.jpg by gypsy4 (John Edward Villasis) / CC BY 2.0; Thumbnail: Judo competition at Rio 2016 by Fernando Frazão/Agência Brasil / CC BY 3.0 BR. Photos resized for display; no other edits. Photos illustrate the martial arts and are not personal photos of Nana or her family.

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