Budō (武道) is a Japanese term describing modern Japanese martial arts. Literally translated it means the "Martial Way", and may be thought of as the "Way of War".

Budō is a compound of the root 'bu' (武:ぶ), meaning "war" or "martial"; and 'dō' (道:どう; dào in Chinese), meaning "path" or "way". Budō is the idea of formulating propositions, subjecting them to philosophical critique and then following a "path" to realize them. 'Dō' signifies a "way of life". 'Dō' in the Japanese context is an experiential term in the sense that practice (the way of life) is the norm to verify the validity of the discipline cultivated through a given art form. Modern budō has no external enemy, only the internal one: my ego that must be fought.

The first significant occurrences of the word Budō date back to the Kōyō Gunkan (16th century) and were used to describe the samurai lifestyle rather than the practice of martial techniques. The word was later re-theorized and redefined to the definition we know today.

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