Budo
From Karate, Kungfu, Wrestling, Mixed Fighting Information Source
Budo is the Japanese term for martial arts; it combines the words bu which means "warrior" or "fighter" and do which means "path" or "way." Japanese martial arts are generally divided into two categories: koryu budo or "old style martial arts"; and gendai budo or "modern martial arts."
Budo refers to a warrior's specific discipline and way of life, unlike bujutsu which means "fighting techniques." Bujutsu represents the techinical skills that are involved in a certain martial art, and is more militaristic in nature.
Others consider budo the modern interpretation of bujutsu which focuses more on the perfection of skill. The various martial styles all place their own individual emphasis on the development of what might be considered more "modern" versus "military" aspects of combat and personal development. Both budo and bujutsu represent a particular strategy or philosophy regarding combat systems with the terms rather loosely applied and often interchangeable. There is no test or standard to determine the classification one way or another.
During Japan's Medieval period, budo and bujutsu generally meant the fighting skills and philosphy used by the samurai and other Japanese fighters. Today, Japanese martial arts have been organized and narrowed down into various fighting systems and philosophies like kendo, judo and karatedo.
