闘多 Touta: Many Fights Lead to Peace

Michael GlennFebruary 8, 2013February 8, 2013

From Bujinkan Santa Monica by Michael Glenn

観音寺 Kannon-ji Cemetary, photo by Michael Glenn

It makes me laugh when I hear that someone has "modernized" or "updated" our training methods for modern times. When I hear about the latest guru, self-proclaimed master, or "Shihan" that has reinvented what he never understood in the first place, I can only shake my head. Where do these people think our techniques and the foundation of our art came from?

The trials of warfare and turbulent Japanese history have been like a bloody form of natural selection for the techniques that survived into our time. Those that didn't work died on the battlefield. Which of these modernized systems have been tested in life and death combat over hundreds of years?

But beyond actual technique, there is a quality inherited by fighters that may also be in our DNA. Hatsumi Sensei describes it this way:

"In the long history of natural selection (淘汰 touta), or many fights (闘多 touta), we have survived because of our killer instinct."

A killer instinct supersedes technique. It can make even bad technique brutally effective. But modern warfare has proven that this too, must evolve.

The modern expression of killer instinct is death for all. Including the killer. Whether this be from weapons of mass destruction, pathetic suicide bombers and idiots with guns, or apocalyptic shock and awe.

What should a killer instinct evolve into? Hatsumi Sensei has suggested a path forward. He tells us that the process of honing the killer instinct leads to an expanding of perceptions and clarity of mind.

Eventually one reaches what Soke calls 超感覚の世界 choukankaku no sekai, or the world of super consciousness. This is like a sort of ESP or greater awareness that moves us beyond concepts of life and death struggle. How does this apply to your training?

You must train tirelessly and simply. Throw away that which you don't need. You will then find a quintessential goal of training which Hatsumi Sensei says is to:

"purify your heart, and gain the calmness of a fresh spirit- then you will know peace of mind."

When you reach that place in class, or in your life, what is on the other side? Well, 超感覚 choukankaku can be read as transcending emotions to wake up. If you have woken up then you will naturally "strive to change the world from one of war and massacre into a true and great world of peace."

I respectfully thank our teacher, Hatsumi Sensei for this inspiration.… Read More

Theme 2013

kumafrFebruary 7, 2013

From Shiro Kuma's Weblog by kumafr

“Kami Ori Tatara no Hôken Tamarite Tôyô Ashi ara Rokuni Arabaru no Takamatsu Sensei Tamawari”

(text updated and corrected)

Even though the theme is Tachi Hôken (Divine treasure sword), Sensei has put this nice calligraphy in the Dôjô.

As it was the case during the last Daikomyôsai, this is linked with the Kojiki, the Japanese mythology. Amateratsu no Kami, the Sun Goddess, was given the sword “Kusanagi no Tsurugi” by her brother Susanô in order to apologize (the cave). Later this sword was given by Amateratsu no Kami to Ninigi no Mikoto (her grandson and the legendary ancestor of the Imperial line) confirming his legitimacy to be the Imperor of Japan. This is the origin of the lineage concept.

If my information are correct the sentence above is quite similar to the one said by Amateratsu no Kami when she gave the sword. But this one sentence was said by Takamatsu Sensei when he handed over the 9 Ryûha of the Bujinkan to Hatsumi sensei. If we make a parallel, this gives Hatsumi sensei the legitimacy over the 9 Ryûha.

The general idea being: “This is the divine treasure/sword, transmitted by Takamatsu Sensei to Hatsumi Sensei, to destroy evil/demons, and to create unity and make peace reign on Earth”.

Huge program isn’t it?

Chikara o Nuku

jorgevaccaroFebruary 7, 2013

From TENRYU by jorgevaccaro

CHIKARA O NUKU

力を抜く

During the classes on friday and sunday (23/25 -11- 2012) Sôke was pointing out the aspect of working with the fingers, reminding us that this part was one of the themes of 2012, In every moment highlighted that techniques must be done without strength. In a form of joking, reminded us that 15 dan are getting old and we’re going to loose physical strength, but that wasn’t his intention to tell us, but that it came by divine inspiration.

Sôke has been taken different Uke ans showing us that force is really unnessesary. Relaxing the muscles (Chikara o Nuku 力を抜く) and executing the techniques withouth forcem is made by a contraction and then relaxation. This is known as Chikara o Ireru & Chikara o nuku 力を入れる, 力を抜く. Chikara o Ireru is contracting, using the muscular force.

Moving the muscle requires strength and intention, and in the case of martial arts tecniques, this can be perceived by the adversary. Managing to relax and not showing intention, is something vital in the path of the martial artist.

The idea of being able to use a sword without force (Katana o Nuku 刀を抜く) since yesteryear was one of the targets that masters wanted to achieve. Kokoro o Nuku 心を抜く, not forcing the mind nor the heart, is a key point to the Mushin 無心. Leaving the mind without intention, without the intelect and racionalization ruling us, can allow receiving the Shinden 心伝 from the master.

The techniques without force, mind without effort, was the escense to achieve the Shinden, highlighted Soke in one of his clases. Showing techniques without strength, Sôke achieves the misterious power of colapsing bodies and minds of his attackers. Without intention, adapting to each person in their different attacksm controls without expectation, even leaving the sword unsheathe and cut without harshness. This is a clear example of Katana o Nuku.

The connection (Tsunageru 繋げる) was highlighted on this past classes, not just from Tori and Uke, but also in “everything”, Soke said “everything is connected”.

Confusedly, we’ve tried to understand the wise words of Sôke, among them that the techniques must not depend from time and velocity. This two aspects don’t pertain to tecniques. Yukkuri…taking your time, going slowly. Sôke always highlights it, “Yukkuri” and gives us examples like music and spaces within each note.

In the interpretation of some of the things that Sôke was saying, I feel that time could be an illusion. That is, past time (Kako 過去), the future ( Mirai 未来), coexist in the very instant of present ( Genzai 現在) of technique. Budo has no time, but happens in several dimensions at the same time.

Nuite Kudasai !! relax please….. let us enjoy life and Budo a little more.

Christian Petroccello

Sandard PAART Naginata

buki stolarFebruary 7, 2013February 7, 2013

From Paart Budo Buki by buki stolar

Dear Buju's,

after long time I menage to make some pics of Naginata which I make for years with some modifications,

so what you could see below this is last version from last year, this year I will make one more modifications to complete this Standard PAART Naginata with Koshirae look.

Koshirae look means that this practice Naginata have all important details like is on real Naginata (ishizuki, kabura maki, tsuba)

Colour of wrap you could chose, and colour of kabura maki, gold and red is common colours of kaburamaki (dark blue is available too)

if you need more info about this Naginata contact me by e-mail

Mangetsu 満月

jorgevaccaroFebruary 7, 2013

From TENRYU by jorgevaccaro

3 Years ago, Sôke Hatsumi Masaaki sent me a beautiful painting that says: “Mature Fruit, Full Moon”

From time to time, I read the letters again and I behold Soke’s paintings. My feeling is that time shows in out path, if the maturation is at it’s right moment to taste the present at it’s maximum. Just like the moon comes only in a day at it’s full figure, likewise the fruit gets eaten when it has the right time of maturation. You can eat lots of fruits, but only when one it’s on it’s right time of maturity, is when the most tastefull it is. You can look at the moon all the month, but the day that it is full is when it’s beauty is at it’s maximum flow.

Running after the effort ot others, o trying to live the experiences of others, is a futile race. Many want to fly and yet have not learned to walk. Running after the foreign effort might keep them away from the own escense. Playing with the children of others does not make you a father unless you gave birth your own children, nor wanting the students of other teachers make you a good master.

Looking always the light of the moon, may not let you see where you’re standing. Having gluttony for the fruits, might no let you appreciate the light of the moon. The moon and the fruit are connected as Budo and Life.

Sôke once shared a precious teaching during the Alicante Taikai: “Forget the meaning of why you practice, don’t think about it. Though the martial arts have a sole purpose and is at the end of the life to find truth, finding God. Only at the end of life, in the last instant, will happen everything you’ve done, what you’ve lived”.

Bufu Ikkan

Christian P.