Thoughts on Translation

I have been involved in translating for Soke now for more than a decade.

When I think back on the first time that I stepped forward and mustered up enough confidence to try and translate, I realize it was like most things Bujinkan, the ability comes with time and experience.  What matters in getting started with anything, is the guts to get started and the drive to carry on.

Translation of Soke’s words, ideas and metaphors is not easy.  It has taken many years of training to be in tune with Soke.  There are still many times that I might not have the vocabulary or the history background to fully understand, but somehow, the tune just makes sense.

I realized that this is the same as our Budo.  It can only come with time and does not have to be perfect to be effective.  What matters is not the detail or waza, but the feeling.

Being somewhat of a musician, I like to make the comparison to music.  Soke often does.

The gokui of translation, in my humble opinion, is like a song.  It is the melody that matters and not the words. You can know all the words, but it is nothing if there is no melody.

The melody is what moves the heart.

The only constant is change

Well,  I have taken my own advice and changed. 

I thought that the time had come for a new look for the Henka blog. 

So here you go… 

This awesome photo was taken by Buyu Paul Masse who has been living and training in Japan for more than a decade. Soke often says that only a true Budoka can take Budo photos.  So true… 

Paul, is one of the most capable Budoka in the Bujinkan and I don’t think enough people know about him.  He is the guy that is always training with Yabunaka san. He has taken what Soke has taught and applied it in real life. Trust me. 

Paul knows the concept of Kocho dori and he is like a feather in the wind. 

Bufu Ikkan

The Power of Nothing

     Last Tuesday Soke told me that the most important power is the power of nothing “Nai no Chikara”. The way he used the terms got me to thinking of the significance of this and I would like to share my thoughts with the members of the Bujinkan.We have to really think about what we are striving to achieve  in our training and to use the line from a very trusted sempai and mentor of mine “what is the mission”, is the essence of this, I believe.

Well, most of us study Budo to develop strength and power whether it be physical, mental or spiritual, do we not?  But once we gain maturity in Budo, we clearly realize that strength or power is the last thing that we truly desire to cultivate.

Then what is it that we want to develop? Well, we want to develop nothing.  The goal is not to fight. Not to be there when there is a conflict is the best place to be.

One of the previous Soke of our tradition said, the way to peace is by not fighting and not having to be in a position to fight.  This is the power of nothing. 

So actually, doing nothing is the most powerful move you can make.

This is deeply tied into Soke’s constant points about not giving the opponent any feeling.  Not fighting the opponent and simply playing with the opponent.

Giving the opponent nothing to fight against is the power that will ultimately control the opponent.  This is not your power, but the power of the opponent.  Your nothing dissipates this power and renders it nothing.

Obviously to reach this level requires direct training experience with someone connected to the bufu and there are no shortcuts.  We must start with something before we can have nothing.