Nanbudo is a relatively recent martial art, of Japanese origin. It was founded by the Japanese martial arts master Yoshinao Nanbu (1943—) in 1978. It has its roots in many Japanese systems of Martial art, such as Aikido, Karate and Judo. Here follows a fuller article on the subject.

Master Nanbu

The system of martial arts known as Nanbudo was founded in 1978 by Doshu Yoshinao Nanbu. Mr. Nanbu was born in 1943 in Kobe (Japan), in the Nanbu family, a traditional Bushi (Samurai) family from the Iwate-prefecture on Northern Honshū. He grew up in a milieu where martial arts were greatly respected. Amongst other distinguished family members was his grandfather, Yoko Zuna, a famous Sumotori. Growing up in a very martial arts-orientated family, he started learning martial arts at an early age. At the age of five he started learning Judo from his father, a 5th Dan who taught the Kobe police force. After a few years he started learning Kendo from his uncle. At the age of 18, he entered the University of Economic Sciences in Osaka. There he discovered Karate. He learned Shito ryu and Shukokai Karate under Masters Tani (8th Dan) and Tanaka. He quickly grew very proficient in this discipline, and in 1963 he won the Japanese University Championship, at that time the most distinguished Karate championship in the world. Following his successes in Japan, Henry Plée, a great French karate master, invited him to come to France to compete. He won most of the competitions (it is said that Mr. Nanbu has never lost a match in career as a competitor), and returned to Japan after a few years. There he was entrusted with the task of spreading Shukokai in Europe. After a few years, judging his task complete, he founded the system of Sankukai (still practised today). However, he felt that Sankukai was an incomplete system. Furthermore, he was weary of the political intrigue and pettiness surrounding him. He retreated from all activities in 1974 and withdrew to Cap d'Ail. There he meditated upon the nature of martial arts, and in 1978 he emerged with a complete new system, called Nanbudo. Ever since, he has been refining the system. Today he is technical director of the WNF (World Nanbudo Federation), and holds seminars all over the Nanbudo-practising world.

Nanbudo as a system

Nanbudo is a system with its roots in Japanese Karate. Although it has many similarities with this system, it is considered as an independent system.

Nanbudo is a martial art, and as such teaches the traditional Japanese ways of combat. However, as a system, Nanbudo includes much more than just fighting techniques. The system is intended as a holistic method of self defence and training, and combines kido ho and budo ho, the techniques for health and the techniques of combat. It is based upon four concepts: breathing, energy manipulation, gymnastics and spirit/ mental strength. The techniques are a combination of traditional techniques from Japanese martial arts and Master Nanbu's own philosophy. They are based on movements and patterns in nature, and are intended to work as a system to strengthen the body, as well as prevent many modern-day illnesses. The defence techniques in Nanbudo include punches, strikes, kicks, throws, locks, joint and pressure point techniques, and grappling techniques. The majority of techniques are unarmed, but the system also uses the weapons bo (six foot staff) and bokken (sword).

The spread of Nanbudo

Nanbudo originated in France, at Cap d'Ail, where Doshu Nanbu developed it. It quickly spread, however, to most of the clubs then practising Sankukai. Today, some 26 years later, the system is widespread in Europe. It is rare outside Europe, but exists in some Francophone West-African countries, notably Cameroun, Morocco and Senegal, in Canada (Mehdi NAGUIB) www.nanbudo.ca , but has gained little support in Japan or other Asian countries. Notable countries where Nanbudo exists today are (with notable nanbudokas from the nation): Italy, Switzerland (Michele Schirinzi, Danilo Bosi), Norway (Jan Moen, Ove Gusevik, Roy Andreassen), Spain(Victor, Francisco & Edu Villacampa), Cameroun (Junior Maih, currently in Norway), France, Croatia, the UK (very little), and Slovenia. In total there are some 10-20 countries with resident nanbudokas and clubs.

Organization

Nanbudo is organised within the individual countries. There are quite a few national Nanbudo federations. These are in turn organised into an international organisation, Worldwide Nanbudo Federation (WNF). Doshu Nanbu is technical director of this Federation, while Jan Moen (6th Dan) of Norway is currently President. Some 13 countries are currently members of the WNF.