Bujinkan South Africa

 I will be in South Africa in second week of August and I have had the honor of being invited by Buyu of the South Africa Bujinkan Dojo to lead some training. Please see the details below.  The training will be focusing on the Kihon of Budo Taijutsu and the dynamics of Distance Angles and Timing for adept control of the space.

Bujinkan South Africa-CLASS WITH DOUG WILSON

Location: HOMBU DOJO 23 ROCKEY DRIVE, CNR LOUIE NORTHCLIFF

Date & Time: WEDNESDAY, 11 AUGUST 2010 -18H30 TO 20H30

Contact Details: R.S.V.P. BERNADETTE BIRMINGHAM (011) 888 8161 OR information”at”ninpo.co.za

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE VISIT THE FOLLOWING WEBSITE www.bujinkan.co.za

 

Book of Five Weapons

     Recently, Soke has been talking about the evolution of war and how the proper study of Budo requires being in touch with the current times and how we must adapt this to our training.  Recently, there have been several discussions between myself and Soke individually, as well as in public translation to the class regarding this aspect.  Other martial arts schools often do not take this larger view and remain focused on teaching form, which does not allow for the freedom to observe and perceive the possible dangers allowing the human innate sixth sense to operate naturally.

Soke reminded us of Miyamoto Musashi’s “Book of Five Rings” and how the 5 rings refer to the five elements of Chi, Sui, Ka, Fu and Ku.  Soke’s inspirational message is that although this refers to an attitude or feeling that a true Budoka must look at the reality of this and how it applies to war or fighting.   We must look at the five elements as the evolution of war, and in that essentially the evolution of weaponry.  True Budoka must look at the ultimate potential and must incorporate the use of weapons into training on a regular basis.  This goes beyond what one might consider a typical weapon as well.  Often the greatest surprise can come from something not commonly considered a weapon to be used as such.  A mindset aware of this possibility is what Soke often is teaching.  A mindset that anything is possible and therefore one should not be caught up in preconceived ideas or assumptions. (self)

In most cases, real fighting will evolve a weapon.  The intention can also be perceived as different as using a weapon most likely incorporates the intention of killing or at least causing direct physical harm.  This mindset is not an intention of submission or winning, it is an element of life or death and universally different.

The five stages (elements) of weapon evolution in Soke’s example are:

• Ken
• Tachi
• Jyu (Gun)
• Katana
• Nuclear Weapon

Looking at each one of these we can see the evolution of attack as well as the associated defense and distances involved.  Although distance can be subjective, the basic idea is present. 

In understanding the evolution of weapons we must also understand the evolution of the attack and focus our training according to the present possibility as well as maintain a connection to the past in order to have a complete and full understanding.

Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu training should always be looking at the incorporation and use of weapons in the training and the various distances, aspects and possibilities associated.  Particularly the training of a 15^th Dan should clearly incorporate this idea and be understood, and if not a regular teaching this aspect, should be pursing this in one’s personal training.  However, it should not be forgotten that it is the sign of lack of skill if one was to injure someone in training.  We must never become 無自覚(lack of awareness) but remain 無心 (nothingness of mind).

Each inspiration will have a unique impact on each person in their own training, I’m inspired to further seek to find applications in life outside of fighting.  

We first should seek to live and then in the unfortunate event that one must fight to survive, we must fight. 

 Bufu Ikkan―The martial path is a lonely one

Budo no Gokui

In the last few months myself and a team of 3 translators have completed the English translation of Hatsumi Soke’s up and coming book due to be published by Kodansha International, Japanese titled “Budo No Gokui”.  One possible translation of the title in English could be “The Essence of Martial Arts” but we will wait and see what the final English title is as the editor is still hard at work with the ultimate layout.   This book will most likely be released before the end of the year, and hopefully in time for December 2^nd.

In a quick hirameki of what is to come in this book (without giving too much away) is the artistic look at the bigger picture of the mindset of Hatsumi Soke in his interpretation of the Pinnacle of Martial Arts.  The message to Bujinkan practitioners will be standardly consistent as ever, if you are of the “Keep Going” tribe in the sense that the secret to martial arts can be found in….

At the end of the day, perusal of something for a lifetime results in the gokui, but maybe it can be said that this exists in everything and is natural as nature, as our Soke often states.

Again, what is here cannot be taught, nor does Soke intend to teach it, just put it out there for people to know.  Inspiration is personal and will apply and evolve uniquely per person based on Sainokonki.

So what’s the big secret? In my humble opinion and if you’re asking me, I think that the secret is that there is no secret and the martial path is a lonely one. Not something that can be compared to the next man or kunoichi for that matter, unless we are comparing skill, but where does that get us?

When it’s all said and done, does it matter what anyone said (except Soke)?  If you pursue a lifetime of studying violence, you should emerge ever so non-violent and hope that you can be at peace in a non peaceful world.

I think a fair self test would be if the Bujinkan rug was suddenly yanked out from under-would you still stand?

Bufu Ikkan

Hear no Saino

     The following post has been inspired by several recent conversations with Soke.  Often, it is the man to man conversations with Soke that exist in the ura kukan of training that are of the greatest value to me and very often hold more wisdom than I can remember, or even fathom.  Soke is truly energetic, creative and inspirational and recently I have also felt that he truly desires to listen.  To me, he is even more approachable and even grandfather like in many ways.  This is a natural change, and I thank him for his wisdom and inspiration and deep openness.

Part of me feels a loss when I cannot grasp or remember everything that is conveyed to me, but I’m thankful for at least the time I have been able to be in that moment.  Soke truly speaks in a creative Budo way, and without consistent training it would be extremely hard, if not impossible, to grasp his concepts.  For this reason alone, it drives a deeper hunger to train and reminds me of Soke’s statement about how he chose to overcome inheriting the tremendous responsibility from Takamatsu Sensei.  The only way to assume this level of responsibility is to train, train, and train more.

In this particular discussion, Soke further emphasized that just “Dojo” training is not enough and can send you down a weak path.  You must facilitate your training and practice of Budo outside the Dojo and it is those that live a balanced life in and out of the Dojo that are true Budoka.  You must find an opportunity for execution in life outside of the Dojo, and this is not in reference to violence or conflict but to that of peace and prosperity.  As Soke often reminds us, it was Toda Sensei who stated that Budo Taijutsu is the foundation of peace and due to this mindset, the tradition of the Bujinkan lives on.

I have further come to realize that to possess Budo skill (or any skill for that matter) has little value if you cannot execute or utilize this skill.  One can go to school or training for several years, but can one actually use that skill or utilize it to become effective in life?  On the ura of this concept, there will be others who never really trained or learned a skill may be able to execute without effort.  This is what Soke refers to as talent or “Saino” in Japanese.   There will be some that will possess Saino for Budo and will gain skill based progress without much effort.  And there will exist others who simply must work for many years to develop skill.  However, it is often experience that overcomes skill in a living situation and what I believe as the aspect of having the wisdom to not execute, which is the secret to martial arts.  Be aware of those that teach skill, as this is not a method of inspiration to facilitate personal experience.

Therefore,  the true goal of training must not be the pursuit of skill, but to gain experience which leads to wisdom.  Not knowledge.  To have knowledge or skill goes no deeper than the head.  Budo of the head is not true Budo.  No matter how much knowledge one possesses there is no method to pass this to the heart. The self is always an obstacle.  Developing true wisdom is a slow and grueling process (shugyo) and there is no shortcut.  Experience is the key to developing wisdom and not knowledge or skill.  This can only be achieved by allowing the martial wind to flow and is an aspect of Kuden and nothing more.

To deeper understand this question of Saino, I gained the courage to ask Soke about “Saino” in a recent training session.  Soke replied by saying “You must get to the point of training where Saino becomes irrelevant”.  One must seek to transcend ability or Saino.  Those who show exceptional talent or ability will only tend to rely on that talent or ability and it will ultimately become a weakness in the end. 

The study of Budo teaches us to not rely or assume, because at the time of failure we must be present with the mind of fudoshin and not attachment. 

Saino or ability can be a false and dangerous aspect in the pursuit of wisdom.

Bufu Ikkan

Striking Compassion

     At almost every training session with Soke we hear him say, “I am not teaching form”, what I’m showing cannot be taught, it must be discovered for yourself in your own training”. 

Then how can we learn?  What reference do we have to learning what Soke is teaching if he is not teaching? 

Before it was stated as the feeling, “I’m teaching the feeling”. How can we teach the feeling?  The feeling must be felt, not taught.  Therefore, Soke gives the feeling and then asks to express what they felt, so that others might feel the same.  This is not teaching, but facilitating experience and experience is something that one must experience on one’s own.

So why copy form?  Why have a style?  You often see students who have the same form or “move” like their teachers.  They are copying the movement and then trying to recreate the feeling.  This is an aspect of Shuhari and maybe the first “shu”.  So to possess a specific style or form is then what level of attainment in training? It is a place to start and what others will copy in order to have some possession of progress. 

I have come to believe that fancy flash is sign ineffectiveness.  Furthermore, from what I have learned is that fancy technique or smoothness of flow is only a sign of a cooperative uke in a dance of compliance and not the practice of effective Budo.

I think a good example in a more recent observation is that of the Godan test.  As many are aware, there are now 195 or more 15^th Dan around the world, therefore more and more gaining the opportunity to give the test for the first time.   I have humbly observed that often those will pose thinking that they need to move the sitter of the test with their intention.   

The omote and ura is revealed when the test often becomes a bigger lesson for the 15^th Dan than for the sitter of the test.  There is no form for giving this test, although there often appears some form of form.  

The biggest challenge of the sitter is to throw away the self and allow to be hit.  Again in my observation, those that allow themselves to be hit, often pass very smoothly.  Then it would be fair to say that for the 15^th Dan that it is ok to intend to hit the sitter of the test to experience this intention.

If you are open enough to hit the sitter, then you may be free from the form that you will be able move someone with your intention without the experience of doing so.

The kihon of the test are, for the sitter to not get hit and for the hitter to hit with compassion free from form.

Bufu Ikkan

Control ThySpace

The concept of self defense is growing everyday as our world expands virtually.  In order to truly understand the concept of self defense we need to develop an awareness of total space.  At times this can be somewhat overwhelming, but if you commit to the warrior lifestyle then you must be relentless in your growth, learning and awareness.

What I’m talking about is the idea of the virtual space and what I might call “social media responsibility”.  Namely, what you will do or have done in the real world, which once might be gone and forgotten forever, is now data.  Furthermore, that data is stored somewhere, and for what purpose?  Harmlessly enough, it may be simply for the purpose of sharing photos or thoughts with friends and family, but there are other possibilities that you should be aware of.  I’m risking being hypocritical here, as I do also personally engage in the use of some of these social media, but recently my budo senses have been tingling and raising personal concern in this area.

Let me give you an example, which I often like to use in the office.  Would Bruce Wayne give his dinner guests a tour of the Bat Cave?  What you might intend to keep amongst friends, a comment, a photo a thought; can be quickly uploaded to Cyberspace to remain forever on a database.  This can grow out of control, be misperceived, and complete misinterpreted.  Once thought to be friends become enemies shockingly without knowing the reason why.

If this is the case, then one should choose to practice the art of social media, should accept the responsibility and control the space.  This not only goes for what YOU post, write say or do, but must be aware that ANYONE at anytime can post for you instantly documenting what you might have wished that you never said or did.

This ties into to everything that I have learned in Budo and have recently come to notice and thought I would share this with the reader of Henka.  This may seem like common sense, but it makes sense to come back to zero from time to time, as things seems to be growing faster than the ability of human awareness to adapt.

Soke said to me to me very recently that Budo is not about learning to fight, but to develop the sense to perceive conflict or danger.  Natural forces cannot be controlled no matter how hard you fight or how strong you are.  Somehow nature is evolving, beyond what is natural.

If one is to truly control yourspace, then you need to start by knowing what your space is and it is constantly changing.

 Bufu Ikkan

UK Seminar -Paving the way

After 3 long weeks in Europe, I have returned to Japan to continue my own training and to fade back into the routine.  All the events were attended by excellent Buyu and there truly existed a feeling of cooperation and mutual growth. I cannot thank all the participants and hosts enough for all the support and enjoyment.  I not only see the meaning of Rokkon Shojo, but can now feel it.

The UK Seminar was hosted by my good friend David Oliver and supported by many friends and key leaders in the UK.  The training focused on the highlights of the previous seminars, Tachi Taijutsu, Tachi and Yari.   David bravely suited up in armor and challenged the uke role allowing for a real image of yoroi kumiuchi. 

Reflecting on the training events, I believe the main points are as follows:

• Technique cannot be relied upon and the proper study of martial arts cannot be about technique-technique will most likely fail. 
• Balance is primary (physical and mental) -If you do not have balance you cannot defend yourself and cannot position yourself for safety or control of the space-Never sacrifice balance for application of technique.
• You must have courage-The just study of Budo, facilitates courage.

Maybe it can be said that training in Japan allows for unique perspective and feeling of community, but this feeling is quickly growing outside of Japan. 

Thanks again to everyone -Bufu Ikkan

Dublin 2010

     Once again the seminar in Dublin Ireland has been extremely rewarding and well accepted.  The training and atmosphere often feels very much like Japan with a high level of skill.  I would like to thank my good friend Alex Meehan and his Dojo as well as all the other participants including the leading Dojo’s in the Dublin area, many of the members who have become close friends.

As in the training in Germany, we focused on the aspect of martial arts basics, including the very important and primarily critical aspect of balance-physically and mentally for the purpose of defending oneself. 

 In Dublin, we had the opportunity to take a deeper look into the aspect of yoroi kumiuchi and the process of off balancing the opponent without sacrifice your own balance, positioning for safety and optimal control.  We were lucky to have two members of the Meehan dojo suit up in armor for the purpose of demonstrating control, targeting and balance.  This was very useful in demonstrating the use of the yari as a primary weapon of distance and how it was used in combination with the Tachi.

Once optimal positioning is achieved, then technique can be applied or weapons can be deployed and used, but never done so for the sake of technique-Never sacrifice balance for technique as technique will most likely always result in failure. 

I often question why we would focus on yoroi kumi uchi in the present day, but actually this is an extremely good practice in the method of control and balance.  If you can control someone in armor, then you certainly can do so without.  It is equally important that maintaining your own balance becomes ever so more critical as you would not want to end up on the ground in armor, as it becomes extremely difficult to defend.

Tachi Taijutsu is another way to look at Jutaijutsu-control first, technique secondary.

Escape an even a better option than engagement.

Bufu Ikkan

How to make a training Yari

My good friend Alex Meehan has created a quick guide on how to create a training Yari.  Since we will be working with Yari in all the seminars in Europe I think that it is a good idea to post it here:

http://www.happobiken.com/images/uploads/How_to_make_a_fukuro_yari.pdf

Doitsu Dokyo 度胸

     The seminar in Germany was an excellent success and personally a very enjoyable and rewarding time.  I would like to thank my good friend Oliver Piskurek and the members of his dojo for their support and arrangement. It was one of the most smoothly run seminars that I have had the pleasure of leading and I truly felt the connection of Soke’s Budo with Oliver’s group, as well as with the many attendees of the seminar. 

In the training, we focused our study on the basic elements of space, distance, angles and timing, striving to remain in the moment with mindfull adjustment in taijutsu for positioning of safety.  As in with Soke’s movement, he is constantly moving to position himself in safe place, while causing the opponent to sacrifice safety and move into a position of off balance and lack of control.

This year is year of the Tachi and I have personally given my taijutsu training this year the title of “Tachi Taijutsu”.  Simply speaking, this is no different from jutaijutsu,  but provides for image of the Tachi and its application in the aspect of kumiuchi within taijustu.

Many times I mentioned at the training that what is more important than technique is the need for Dokyo 度胸- courage or guts.

It seems that the most important aspect of self defense is the ability to react, whether that is escape, hiding or actually confronting.  One must develop the courage and the confidence to react or not react and execute as well as standing ones ground at times and this is an aspect of Dokyo

Soke often mentions about Dokyo and its presence in the study of budo and that in the face of war, one must smile or be overly confident or even wild.  This is an aspect of Rokkonshojo.

In the second day of training we had the opportunity to study the basic aspects of the Yari and the distance, angles and timing associated.  This Yari study of distance is important to develop a proper perspective of kumiuchi and the aspects of Ken, Tachi, Gun and Katana.  Understanding the evolution of war and the reality behind it is important for the proper perspective of Budo.  This was also inspired by Chapter 3 of the coming book from Soke’s collection “Essence of Budo”, as sojutsu is discussed with a few key kata presented.

I’m truly looking forward to the next training in Dublin and the UK.  I feel the emergence of the first flowers of spring in Germany will continue to blossom in the coming weeks.

Bufu Ikkan