Abstract - The Budo Charter as a modern component of personal cultural security
Background. The author presents the Budo Charter in the context of its position in the cultural security system, in particular its influence on personal cultural security. Budo is a system that combines numerous stlyes of widely-understood martial arts, originating from the traditions cultivated in Japan. In contrast to ancient and Mediaeval bujutsu, which comprises an array of Japanese war techniques and combat methods, budo cultivates a spiritualised, psycho-physical type of bujutsu.
Problem. Budo constitutes an important element in the continuity of Japanese cultural security. As budo puts a strong emphasis on self-fulfilment and education, it is important to note that subjects of actions attaining self-fulfilment, by following the way of the warrior are not only found in Japanese socio-cultural tradition. The same phenomenon can be found in China and Korea, and the method is currently commonplace internationally, thus influencing numerous national security cultures.
Methods. The problem has been analysed by triangulation from two points of view – that of security studies, pioneered in Poland by Marian Cieslarczyk, and that of the humanist theory of martial arts, developed by Wojciech J. Cynarski.
Results and conclusions. Modern budo instils a concrete, utilitarian value in a broad audience across the globe. After all, cultural security only has purpose when it does not exclusively serve the state. It becomes more of an art of life that a martial art, without eschewing its old capabilities, enabling its practitioners to attain a sense of security which is important for them as subjects of security.