Within these walls echoes the spirit of ancient warriors. This is Buden in Kyoto a place steeped in history. Buden was once part of the Budo Senmon Gakko a school dedicated to Japanese martial arts. Imagine young men and women training rigorously here honing their skills in kendo judo naginata and kyudo.
The school’s existence stemmed from a surge in Japanese nationalism following the Sino-Japanese War. Traditional martial arts had been sidelined by the arrival of Commodore Perry’s Black Ships. Interest was rekindled thanks to Sakakibara Kenkichi who organized popular martial arts performances.
By 1880 the police recognized the importance of Kendo incorporating it into the Police Academy curriculum. However integrating other martial arts into schools faced resistance. Surveys suggested that only boys over 16 could study bujutsu in a spiritual way not a practical one.
This led to attempts at creating gymnastics adaptations of bujutsu. These were deemed ineffective. The establishment of the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai a major turning point helped bring martial arts back into the school curriculum. It aimed to standardize various martial disciplines across Japan.
In 1911 the Butoku Gakko School of Martial Virtue was formed. It later became the Budo Senmon Gakko. The school produced instructors who taught children throughout the country. Its first class graduated in 1914.
The rigorous schedule involved morning and afternoon practice lectures and voluntary additional training. Students in their first year focused on a single basic cutting technique. World War II forced the school’s closure. Allied occupation forces prevented its reopening.
Today Buden stands as a testament to Japan’s martial arts heritage. While it may not function as a school anymore martial arts exhibitions still take place within its historic walls. Its existence reminds us of a pivotal time in Japanese history. A time when national pride and tradition shaped the way of life. The spirit of the warriors who trained here still lives on within Buden.