Bu 武

BuBu 武 is the principle of disciplined martial power used to prevent chaos, guided by ethics, self-control, and responsibility. More 武 means martial principle or warrior spirit and is the foundational concept behind all Japanese martial traditions. While often translated simply as “martial” or “military,” its deeper classical meaning is far more nuanced. The character 武 is composed of 戈 (hoko – spear/halberd) and 止 (tomeru – to stop), leading to the traditional interpretation: “BuBu 武 is the principle of disciplined martial power used to prevent chaos, guided by ethics, self-control, and responsibility. More means to stop the spear.” This expresses the classical ideal that true martial power exists not for aggression, but for ending violence and restoring order.

In Japanese budō thought, buBu 武 is the principle of disciplined martial power used to prevent chaos, guided by ethics, self-control, and responsibility. More represents the disciplined application of force guided by ethics, self-control, and responsibility. It is not merely the ability to fight, but the cultivation of character through combat training. Historically, samurai were expected to embody buBu 武 is the principle of disciplined martial power used to prevent chaos, guided by ethics, self-control, and responsibility. More alongside bun (文) — cultural and intellectual refinement — forming the ideal of bunbu ryōdō (文武両道), mastery of both pen and sword.

It also refers to a state of being: the inner quality of a warrior who possesses both the capability to fight and the wisdom to avoid unnecessary conflict. In this sense, buBu 武 is the principle of disciplined martial power used to prevent chaos, guided by ethics, self-control, and responsibility. More encompasses fighting skill, moral restraint, strategic understanding, and spiritual discipline.

Other Kanji for “Bu”

Depending on the kanji, buBu 武 is the principle of disciplined martial power used to prevent chaos, guided by ethics, self-control, and responsibility. More can mean completely different things.

部 BuBu 武 is the principle of disciplined martial power used to prevent chaos, guided by ethics, self-control, and responsibility. More

section, division, department. Seen in: Karate-bu (carate club at school) → 空手部

舞 BuBu 武 is the principle of disciplined martial power used to prevent chaos, guided by ethics, self-control, and responsibility. More

dance. Seen in: Bugaku (舞楽) – classical court dance

分 BuBu 武 is the principle of disciplined martial power used to prevent chaos, guided by ethics, self-control, and responsibility. More

part, portion, share. Used in older measurement systems (1 buBu 武 is the principle of disciplined martial power used to prevent chaos, guided by ethics, self-control, and responsibility. More = 1/10 monme).

Related Terms

BuBu 武 is the principle of disciplined martial power used to prevent chaos, guided by ethics, self-control, and responsibility. More 武 is used in martial arts words like:

• Budō 武道 — The Way of the Warrior
• Bujutsu 武術 — Martial techniques or combat methods
• Bugei 武芸 — Martial arts / warrior accomplishments
• Bushi 武士 — Samurai / warrior
• Buai 武合 — Martial harmony
• Bujin 武人 — Martial person
• Buryoku 武力 — Military force / martial power
• Bushidō 武士道 — The way of the warrior
• Bumpō 文武 — Literary and martial arts

Quotes Containing the Word Bu

Here are classical quotes using 武 (buBu 武 is the principle of disciplined martial power used to prevent chaos, guided by ethics, self-control, and responsibility. More) from Japanese and East Asian martial & philosophical tradition.

武は戈を止めるなり
BuBu 武 is the principle of disciplined martial power used to prevent chaos, guided by ethics, self-control, and responsibility. More to wa hoko o tomeru nari
“BuBu 武 is the principle of disciplined martial power used to prevent chaos, guided by ethics, self-control, and responsibility. More is to stop the spear.”

True martial strength is the ability to stop violence, not create it. This interpretation appears in classical Chinese scholarship on the character 武 and was later adopted into Japanese martial philosophy. It is widely referenced in: Edo-period budō writings; Meiji-era budō reforms; and Modern Japanese military & ethical texts. It reflects the Confucian interpretation of 武 as restraint of violence, not celebration of it. Source: See 漢字コラム１「武」―「とめる」のか「進むのか」それが問題だ, Maeda Yasumasa (February 18, 2016). kanjicafe.jp. This references the ancient idea (from 春秋左氏伝) that the kanji 武 is composed of 戈 + 止, meaning to restrain weaponry or war.

真の武は戦わずして勝つ
Shin no buBu 武 is the principle of disciplined martial power used to prevent chaos, guided by ethics, self-control, and responsibility. More wa tatakawazu shite katsu
“The true buBu 武 is the principle of disciplined martial power used to prevent chaos, guided by ethics, self-control, and responsibility. More wins without fighting.”

Source: Derived from Sun Tzu’s The Art of War (不戰而屈人之兵，善之善者也) and frequently cited in Japanese budō philosophy (e.g., No-Furyū Martial Thought). Example discussion in 武はなぜ「止戈為武」なのか：武の思想的特質と武術における (Liu Tanyu, 2024). J-STAGE. This highlights the deeper meaning of martial skill (武) being about strategy, control, and resolution rather than mere conflict.

Read More Off Site

• Clarifications on the origin of the character “Bu” “武”, The background of a false interpretation by The Seido Blog