Budo has developed from a traditional Japanese martial art ("kobudo," old budo), to which has been added the aspect of "geido" (the way of artistic self-discipline), which aims for the perfection of character through practices to hone the skills, to the techniques to kill or conquer others.
武道（ぶどう）とは、伝統的な日本武術（古武道）から発展したもので、人を殺傷・制圧する技術に、その技を磨く稽古を通じて人格の完成をめざす、といった芸道の面が加わったものである。