“Bun Bu Ryō Dō” – The “Education of Body and Mind”.

Many of you who have spent a good number of years studying the martial arts have probably heard the term “Bun Bu Ryō Dō” (文武両道).
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Bun Bu Ryō Dō is a term which has been in use throughout Japanese history, possibly going back further than the Heian period (794 – 1185). In a simple definition, it refers to the dedicated study in both military affairs and cultural areas of interest
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Bun Bu Ryō Dō is sometimes translated as “The way of both pen and sword.” That’s poetic but incomplete.
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In the past, samurai warriors were respected for being both strong martial artists as well as good scholars. This way of life was called Bun Bu Ryō Dō (bun = letters, bu = martial arts, ryodo = both ways)
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Let’s look at this a little deeper…..
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The first kanji 文, “Bun” literally means “letter” or “writing”. In this term it means 文事 or 学芸 which means “arts and science” or “liberal arts” including the Japanese arts of shodo (brush writing), kado (flower arrangement) and sado (tea ceremony). In other words, it represents the mastery of the general education and cultural studies.
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The second kanji 武, “Bu” should be more familiar to karate-ka. It means “military” or “martial”. In this term it means 武事 “military affairs” or 武芸 “martial arts”.
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The third kanji 両, “Ryō” means “both”.
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I am sure you know the last kanji, 道 “Dō” which means “road” or “path”. Therefore together “Bun Bu Ryō Dō” means the ability of being excelled in both education and also in martial arts. It also refers to someone who possesses such an ability.
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The “way of the pen” is not limited to literature or scholarship. The “way of war” is not just limited to “fighting”.
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Bun Bu Ryō Dō then is a simple expression. Its implications are profound.
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The ideology behind Bun Bu Ryō Dō was to inspire a balance for those involved in military related activities with literary and cultural studies in ancient Japan. It was a reflection of the times and what was deemed as important in the structural makeup of society.
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In modern Japan, Bun Bu Ryō Dō is still being utilized to inspire excellence as in the past. Today the term continues to bear its aged meaning by those who specialize in Japanese martial arts. But on a national level it has evolved in accordance to the change in society to be geared towards the youth. Many educators have adopted the term towards students and encourage them to excel in both sports and education.
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Maybe we can all aspire to the principles of Bun Bu Ryō Dō and become Scholarly Warriors. Just like the warrior being versed in finer cultural arts, an athlete who is educated is viewed as one who is balanced, and can be a good role model to all…..
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The “Education of Body and Mind”. 👊🥋
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