Kobudo

Kobudo refers to old martial traditions prior to the Meiji era (known as gendai martial arts). The Meiji era saw the suppression of the samurai, the transfer of power to a centralized civilian government, and the emperor fading into the background. Gendai arts eventually adopted competitive and movement models heavily influenced by Western sport.

Kobudo does not move the same as gendai arts. It is based on wearing armor, which does not lend to being on one's toes or turning sharply at the hips. Therefore power generation is very different in these older traditions. Kobudo is about the transmission of the art. If things are not taught properly, then students can get off course.  The art will be diverted, and its authenticity compromised.

People think this has to do with the way in which the kata or forms are performed. While this can be true, the reality is that the underpinnings of the art are more important. Without those, kata are a dance and nothing more. The heart of budo is not in the dance steps.