Kobudo demonstration at the Nippon BudokanCEFR B1
16 Mar 2026
Adapted from Jo Carter, Global Voices • CC BY 3.0
Photo by luca romano, Unsplash
Kobudo refers to Japan’s traditional martial arts. These schools were established before the Meiji Restoration in 1868. On February 1 Global Voices attended the 49th Japanese Kobudo Demonstration at the Nippon Budokan to observe techniques and speak with instructors.
Kyoichi Inoue Sensei, soke of Hontai Yoshin-ryu (founded in 1660), explained that kobudo differs from modern competitive martial arts because it has no rules on where to strike and aims at lethal points across the body. Demonstrations at the Budokan emphasised efficiency, flexibility and a refusal to standardise techniques. Organisers stressed that demonstrations are safer than real combat and so more appropriate for public events.
Shojitsuken Rikata Ichi-ryu Katchu Battojutsu used authentic armour and Sengoku-style long swords. Its representative, Masaru Kanzaki Sensei, linked the teaching of a final blow to bushido and compared it to kaishaku in the ritual of seppuku. Today 75 schools belong to the Nihon Kobudo Association and 36 took part in this year’s demonstration.
Difficult words
- kobudo — traditional Japanese fighting arts and training systems
- demonstration — public show that presents skills or techniquesDemonstrations
- lethal — able to cause death or serious injury
- efficiency — ability to do something with little waste
- standardise — make methods or rules the same for everyone
- authentic — real, genuine, or true to the original
- bushido — traditional samurai code about honour and duty
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Do you agree that public demonstrations are safer than real combat? Why or why not?
- What are the advantages or disadvantages of refusing to standardise techniques in a martial art?
- Have you ever seen a martial arts demonstration? Describe what you saw and how it made you feel.
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