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Tama, The Sphere Of Zero

From Shiro Kuma's Blog by kumablog

img_20161201_120325Gyokko Ryû is an excellent school, profoundly related to the new theme for 2017 of “controlling the space”.

Let me explain. In Sensei’s last class, he spoke about Tama, the Sphere. Tama is also read Gyoku, and Gyoku is the “pearl” find in the name Gyokko. (1)

We read on the Internet that Gyokko is the “jewel tiger”. This is incorrect, Gyokko is the “tiger Pearl” or the “Tiger sphere”.

When we say “zero” we see a circle. But what if “Zero” is not a flat circle, Maru (2), but in fact symbolises the sphere of the controlled space that Sensei is speaking about?

We leave the world of the second dimension of Nijigen no Sekai for the Sanjigen no Sekai, and the sphere of controlled space is created. (3)

My feeling is that this is what Sensei wants is to understand. We are at the centre of this sphere, this is why “zero” he keeps saying that “zero” is not empty.

But as it is often the case in Japanese, there’s more.

Zero is also Mu (4), and Mu is nothingness. Nothingness is the secret to playing in the controlled space. In this space, everything is possible because we are not emitting anything. We are Mushin, free from obstructive thoughts. (5). We do not try to win, we play with the attacker’s intentions. This is Asobi, being playful. (6)

While walking in Kashiwa yesterday, the sign “OIOI” caught my eyes. “OIOI” is a Japanese department store on the platform next to the station. It is pronounced “Marui, marui”, spherical. (7)

Was it a sign from the gods?

___________________
1. 玉/tama/ball; sphere; globe; orb|bead (of sweat, dew, etc.); drop; droplet|ball (in sports)|pile (of noodles, etc.)|bullet|bulb (i.e. a light bulb)|lens (of glasses, etc.)|bead (of an abacus)|ball (i.e. a testicle)|gem; jewel (esp. spherical; sometimes used figuratively); pearl
2. 〇/maru/circle (sometimes used for zero)|’correct’ (when marking)
3. 二次元/nijigen/two dimensions vs 三次元/sanjigen/three dimensions; three-dimensional; 3D; 3-D|(joc) real world; IRL (in real life) +
世界/Sekai/the world; society; the universe|sphere; circle; world|renowned; world-famous; well-known outside of Japan|realm governed by one Buddha; space
4. 無/mu/nothing; naught; nought; nil; zero|un-; non-
5. 無心/mushin/innocence|free from obstructive thoughts
6. 遊び/asobi/playing|play (margin between on and off, gap before pressing button or lever has an effect)
7. 円い/marui/round; circular; spherical|harmonious; calm

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Zero Style Budō

From Shiro Kuma's Blog by kumablog

img_20161125_202433
A bear carving of 1947

The last class with Hatsumi Sensei was so intense that I dreamt of it all night long. In my dreams, what he showed and taught made more sense, I will do my best to explain now what I got out of it.

To control the space with mutō dori, you have to be zero.
To be zero, you have to be one.
To be one, you have to be complete.
To be complete, you have to be sanshin (3).
To be sanshin, you have to know your basics.
To know your basics, you have to enter the dōjō.

When we begin our training, we are formless. We have expectations and no knowledge. The teacher shows the basics, and with practice, we are starting to move in the appropriate form. Then we have to acquire the basics of the Tenchijin.
When we begin to understand the simple complexity of the Tenchijin we are three. This is the sanshin of the Ten, the Chi, and the Jin. There is no unity yet in our movements, and our taijutsu looks like robotic movements. With time, the differentiation of the three parts of the Tenchijin vanishes, and we start having a more unified way of moving.
When this process is complete, we can enter the world if the Ryûha and to study the weapons. After some time, we mix the Waza, the Buki, the basics, and a nice body flow emerges. We are complete.
But the hard work doesn’t stop here, as it is only the beginning. Give it a little more time, and you become “one”. Only when this state of “being one” is achieved, that you can start the long path of becoming “zero”.

It is a long process because you have to get rid of everything you have learned to be “zero”. Sensei said that “there are no techniques”. What I understood is that at this level, techniques are useless, you have to forget them. And you can do that only because you spent at least twenty years learning them (1). Again, you can only forget something you have learned.

Gradually, you can become zero and ride on uke’s intentions. Because you have no expectations, because you do not try to win, you are in control of the space. Uke’s attacks originate from the same point in space that you can now clearly see. Controlling this point defeats uke. Sensei said that whether attacks using taijutsu or weapons, there is a common point, and it is always the same. As you fill the space of battle, you can see this point. Control it, and things are easy. Sensei insisted twice on the importance of Kokyû, respiration. (2) He said that if you are out of breath at the end of the exchange, it is because you are still trying to do something. But you don’t have it.

When you are finally capable to ride uke’s attacks, to dodge them, and still be relaxed, it is the proof that you are zero.

Once again here is the path to follow:
Learn and study the basics,
Learn and study the Tenchijin,
Become three.
Learn and study the Ryûha and the weapons,
Become One.
Unlearn and forget everything,
Be Zero and control the space.

“Zero is not empty. There’s a point in the middle”, Hatsumi sensei, July 2016.

________________
1. I write “twenty years” here, but it might be thirty. In just beginning to grab it after more than thirty years in the Bujinkan. But I guess some are more gifted than me. On the other hand, if you have been training less than twenty years, and have achieved a high rank in the Bujinkan, I am confident that this will require some more years of training. Rank doesn’t mean competence.
2. 呼吸/Kokyû /breath; respiration|knack; trick; secret (of doing something)

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KUMA SEMINARS 2017

From Shiro Kuma's Blog by kumablog

SEMINARS

achs2016.jpgDear friends, I just created a new website where to find my next seminars for 2016 and 2017.

This year again, I will be travelling a lot.

Tokyo (3 times), Dubai (2 times – UAE), Paris (5 times), Annecy (FR), Bangalore (3 times-  IN), Berlin (GER), Gottingen (GER), Budapest (HON), Buenos Aires (ARG), Fortaleza (BR), Bogota (COL), Lugo (SP)…

This list is not complete and more dates will be added soon.

SEMINARS


25% OFF at www.budomart.com

From Shiro Kuma's Blog by kumablog

animation-merry-christmas

Hello Bujinkan  friends,

 

This year has been very demanding for me, and I couldn’t be as present as usual. Those who know me well, know about my “other  activities”.

This is why next year will be interesting, as I will be focusing more on the seminars and ebooks, than on my other activities. I plan to release a few new ebooks (some for Xmas) to begin the interaction with http://www.koimartialart.com. I’ll tell you more when things are going to happen.

The new titles in English that are being reviewed will be available like the other ones at Amazon, it will be “Bujinkan Chronicles vol.1”, a collection of the first posts published here, but extended and corrected, and with many pictures taken during seminars and in Japan during the same period; “Juppo Sessho”, the reviewed ebook version of the book of 2002, with many new insights; and hopefully “Shoshi”, a book to help you become familiar with the parts of Japanese history that created our art.

The Holiday season is opening early at http://www.budomart.com because we want you to receive your presents before Christmas. So I decided that from today until the end of December 2016, you benefit from a 25% discount on nearly 100 DVDs from my budomart catalogue.

If you are interested in getting some DVDs for yourself, or for your friends, then it is time to jump on http://www.budomart.com and get the Xmas 25% discount.

At the end of the checkout, simply click on the voucher code “xmas2016”, then “OK,”  and the discount will be automatically applied on the eligible products.

Happy Holiday Season Bujinkan Buyu!

I wish you the best for the end of the year and the beginning of 2017, and I hope to see you at the dojo or during seminars.*

Arnaud Cousergue
Bujinkan Dai Shihan

4-animated-christmastree

*Annecy, Bangalore, Berlin, Bogota, Budapest, Buenos Aires, Fortaleza, Gottingen, Paris, Tokyo,


New Dvds Are Coming Soon

From Shiro Kuma's Weblog by kumablog

Tentô Uchi

We finished the Yari Jutsu of the Kukishin Ryû and the taijutsu of the Gyokko ryû. The videos are being edited right now and will soon be availalbe on koimartialart and budomart.

In the last year we have been quite productive:

  • Ten Ryaku no Maki: short and extended version (4 dvds),
  • Chi Ryaku no Maki: short and extended version (3 dvds),
  • Jin Ryaku no Maki: short version (an extended version is being prepared),
  • Buki Waza basics for small weapons: tantô, Kunai, Shotô, (2 dvds)
  • Buki Waza basics for medium weapons: hanbô, jo, biken, (3 dvds)
  • Buki Waza basics for long weapons: bô, yari, naginata, (3 dvds)
  • Nawa Jutsu basics: nawame (knots) and rin (loops)
  • Gyokko Ryû Kosshi Jutsu: the first level is being duplicated now and should be available in a few days on budomart, (2 dvds)
  • Bô jutsu of the Kukishin Ryû: the complete set (ready for Christmas), (btw 6 and 10 dvds!)
  • Yari Jutsu of the Kukishin Ryû: the complete set (ready beginning og 2011), (btw 4 and 6 dvds)
  • Gyokko Ryu Kosshi Jutsu: the second and third levels are recording and will be available as soon as possible,  (4 dvds)
  • Manriki Gusari Basics: A general overview on the chain and the basics of the Masaki Ryû that Sensei learnt with Nawa sensei.

And I am not speaking of the “Foundation” series covering all the techniques Kyû per Kyû from 9th Kyû to 1st Kyû. (18 dvds)

We are planning to record soon a ne version of the Sanshin no Kata and of the Kihon Happô (Gyokko Ryû style) and a set of dvds on hanbô Jutsu. After that we will move to the other schools. The next schools are either Koto Ryû and then Shinden Fudô Ryû. Which one do you prefer to have next?

Be happy!

Arnaud Cousergue


New KOI Offer

From Shiro Kuma's Weblog by kumablog

Dear Friends,

Thank you for your enthusiasm concerning koimartialart.

Since December we improved a lot our website thanks to your feedbacks. Please continue to send them to us! Our success is your success and proves without any doubt that we were right to do launch this new adventure. Thank you for your unlimited support.

In August we have completely redesigned the user’s interface making it more user firendly.

We also changed our provider and the general outlook of KOI. The search mode is faster as well as the streaming. Check it by watching the new trailers now.

Many new titles are now online including all the basics on buki waza: tantô, kunai, shotô, hanbô, jo, biken, bô, yari, naginata. Did you ever dream of winning against the , the yari or the jo? Many of them are also demonstrated with the kaeshi waza (counter techniques).

We have also modified our different offers and you can now adapt your video hunger to the “basic”, the “silver koi” or the “gold koi“.

Please visit the new www.koimartialart.com website and tell us what you think.

Visit it today and get ONE WEEK FREE of unlimited videos!