Mokuroku
Encyclopedia
Mokuroku is a term in Japanese martial arts
, used by koryu
, for a "catalog", referring to a catalog of the level of ability of the instructor of the martial arts that has received a catalog as a sign of level or initiation.
Mokuroku can be literally translated as catalog, however the meaning and implications of a Mokuroku extend far beyond a simple list of items, and form a critical documentary evidence of credential for members of ryu
that use them. While Mokuroku is used as a martial arts license of level, the position refers to proficiency with a catalog of ability of the instructor.
Mokuroku are usually in the format of a Makimono
or hand written scrolls structured by convention to follow a specific layout going from right to left. The structure of a Mokuroku in koryu is set by convention. Reading from left to right, a Mokuroku will contain the ryu's name; the chronology of all the heads of the ryu; the names of the techniques or knowledge which forms the catalogue; the signature and a patented stamp of the person issuing the Mokuroku—usually the Soke
of the school (if either are missing then the Mokuroku may be considered to be illegitimate or of dubious origin); and finally the name and title of person whom the Mokuroku is being license to.
The names of the techniques are often figurative or poetic, and give no indication as to how perform a specific technique. It is not uncommon to find poetry, uncommon kanji
or regional expressions and idioms interspersed into the Mokuroku. Mokuroku, can often also be deceptive, containing nonsensical kanji
, and expression's aimed at deliberately obscuring the meaning of an item.
Japanese martial arts
Japanese martial arts refers to the enormous variety of martial arts native to Japan. At least three Japanese terms are often used interchangeably with the English phrase "Japanese martial arts": , literally meaning "martial way", , which has no perfect translation but means something like science,...
, used by koryu
Koryu
is a Japanese word that is used in association with the ancient Japanese martial arts. This word literally translates as "old school" or "traditional school"...
, for a "catalog", referring to a catalog of the level of ability of the instructor of the martial arts that has received a catalog as a sign of level or initiation.
Mokuroku can be literally translated as catalog, however the meaning and implications of a Mokuroku extend far beyond a simple list of items, and form a critical documentary evidence of credential for members of ryu
Ryu (school)
A Ryū , or ryūha , is a Japanese word referring to a school of thought in any discipline...
that use them. While Mokuroku is used as a martial arts license of level, the position refers to proficiency with a catalog of ability of the instructor.
Mokuroku are usually in the format of a Makimono
Makimono
A Makimono is a Japanese hand scroll, an ink-and-brush painting or calligraphy which is supposed to be held in the hand and unrolls horizontally....
or hand written scrolls structured by convention to follow a specific layout going from right to left. The structure of a Mokuroku in koryu is set by convention. Reading from left to right, a Mokuroku will contain the ryu's name; the chronology of all the heads of the ryu; the names of the techniques or knowledge which forms the catalogue; the signature and a patented stamp of the person issuing the Mokuroku—usually the Soke
Soke (martial arts)
, pronounced , is a Japanese term that means "the head family [house]." In the realm of Japanese traditional arts, it is used synonymously with the term iemoto...
of the school (if either are missing then the Mokuroku may be considered to be illegitimate or of dubious origin); and finally the name and title of person whom the Mokuroku is being license to.
The names of the techniques are often figurative or poetic, and give no indication as to how perform a specific technique. It is not uncommon to find poetry, uncommon kanji
Kanji
Kanji are the adopted logographic Chinese characters hanzi that are used in the modern Japanese writing system along with hiragana , katakana , Indo Arabic numerals, and the occasional use of the Latin alphabet...
or regional expressions and idioms interspersed into the Mokuroku. Mokuroku, can often also be deceptive, containing nonsensical kanji
Kanji
Kanji are the adopted logographic Chinese characters hanzi that are used in the modern Japanese writing system along with hiragana , katakana , Indo Arabic numerals, and the occasional use of the Latin alphabet...
, and expression's aimed at deliberately obscuring the meaning of an item.