ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the further transformation of martial arts during the mid and late Tokugawa periods. As an overall trend, the progressive loss of function and power potential by the samurai estate had a huge impact upon the social organisation surrounding the practice of martial traditions. Several changes took place: specialisation and predominance of swordsmanship; changes from kata to free sparring with the aid of protective equipment; emergence of commoners’ jūjutsu; and professionalisation of the activity, both in the instruction and the organisation of ‘sports-like’ events such as gekken or sumō.
