道 (Michi) with Profound Meanings in Japanese Culture

In addition to 鼻 & 花 (Hana), 道 (Michi) is among the Kanji characters we learn in early elementary grades when most students only know the word 道 means road.

But 道/Michi, also pronounced どう/Dou (also spelled Do), is seen in a wide range of Japanese terms, and many can later realize its profound meaning through something like 武道/Budo or 仏道/Butsudo.

道 (Michi)

武道 or Budo is the Japanese name for martial arts, which traditionally include 剣道/Kendo, 柔道/Judo, 相撲道/Sumo-Do, 空手道/Karate-Do, 合気道/Aikido, and 弓道/Kyudo.

You might associate Budo with 武術/Bujutsu, but Budo is not just martial arts. According to Nippon Budokan, 武道 is 人間形成の道 or a way of developing personality,

where the Japanese martial art makes you strong all around, physically, mentally, and technically, hones your character, uplifts your morality, and builds your attitude to respect manners.

In this way, and as also seen in 仏道 (Buddha’s teachings), 華道/Kado, 書道/Shodo, or 極道/Gokudo, 道/Michi is not just a road but can also be a thing or process to lead you to a certain direction, which is mostly good but might be evil.

(Reference Page: Kotobank 道 )