During which emperor's reign was the original Butoku-Kai founded?

The founding of the original Butoku-Kai is associated with Emperor Kanmu's reign. This organization was established in 1895 during the Meiji era, but its philosophical roots can be traced back to the ideals promoted during Emperor Kanmu's time. Emperor Kanmu, who reigned from 781 to 806, is known for his efforts to promote cultural development and the martial arts in Japan.

He played a significant role in consolidating imperial authority and is often credited with fostering an environment that appreciated the importance of military training and discipline, which aligned with the values later embraced by the Butoku-Kai. The Butoku-Kai was formed to preserve and promote traditional martial arts and to develop the moral and ethical aspects of martial disciplines, which can be seen as a continuation of the cultural and martial ethos established during Emperor Kanmu’s reign.

Thus, the choice of Emperor Kanmu accurately recognizes the historical context in which the Butoku-Kai was founded and highlights the lineage of martial arts in Japan.