The Question

As in all things, there is a duality.  In Budo, there is also something called “shunkan” meaning “the moment”.  If you train with Soke, you truly realize how critical this is.

This also ties directly in to the point of “no technique” or further, “no fixation”.

 Last Tuesday night, Soke said that the way to enlightenment in Budo Taijutsu is to see through.  -”Minuku”

He made the analogy of taking all the 9 Ryuha and turning them transparent.  When you layer them on one another you can hold them up and then can see through the 9 traditions.  On the other side, you will see what enlightenment is.  In Ninpo you need to learn how to disappear and become transparent.

Toda Sensei did and therefore our trandition lives on.

Timing, distance and luck are all important, but there is a time for questions and a time to listen.

Ninpo Ikkan

The Answer

    

     Recently, I have been looking at the “Way of the Ninja” to better understand the aspects of Ninpo that Soke is speaking of this year.  I have found that this source gives some good food for thought regarding this year’s theme as well as the BK in general. 

After reading a few sections in the book, I developed several questions that I thought I would pose to Soke to get a better perspective on this year’s theme.  I memorized my questions and was off to training at the Hombu Dojo looking for the first chance to ask Soke my questions.

The training that day was great and I was lucky to have the opportunity to translate that day and I was very intrigued by the topic of discussion.

Time came for the break and I sat next to Soke translating for the people that were lined up to have Soke write their requested calligraphy, and I saw the chance to ask my questions. 

Before I had a chance to open my mouth, Soke began telling me about training in the past and how Akimoto san, a student of Takamatsu sensei once cut down a starling with a sword that he drew as the bird leaped from the ground into would be flight.  Soke continued to tell me that Akimoto san was a very devoted student and would cup his hands for Takamatsu Sensei when he needed to knock the ash from his smoke.  Soke said that Akimoto san said that if anyone ever hurt Takamatsu sensei he would grab his sword and take revenge.  A very devoted student.

I sat there and realized that my questions were gone and that even if I spent hours preparing them or written them down, they would have still meant nothing.

If I have 5 minutes alone with Soke, or even 5 hours, I find it more rewarding to sit there in silence asking nothing, only listening. 

The answers to your questions are all there, and available to you at anytime-if you listen.

Buffu Ikkan

Treasure Hunt 忍宝一貫

     This year, as you know, we are focusing on the ninpo aspect of our art.  This is not a new concept since the mindset of the Bujinkan is based on the concept of ninpo.  However, Soke is putting specific emphasis on the “escape” aspect of ninpo and the art of not being there.  On a physical plain the aspect of kyojutsu is critical and how it influences the aspect of escape.  In a sense, this is the ability to escape conflict or the need to fight.  The Ninja of old were focused on their mission and therefore needed to successfully escape in order to preserve their acquisition or information.  Capture or loss of life meant failure of the mission.

The Iga Ninja were especially adept at the art of munitions and the mixing of gun powder.  To hold that technology meant to have a considerable advantage in war and therefore this technology was protected with the lives of the bearers.  Experimentation was constant as well as new recipes were developed secretly and in result the ninjutsu was deployed to protect this technology and knowledge from falling into the wrong hands.

This purpose was so important that warriors were sent to crush the people of Iga.

So in our modern day, we need to understand how we can incorporate the teachings of ninpo and how it influences our training.  We are obviously not going to mix up potions of gunpowder, but have to adapt the MINDSET to our present day of peace.  (in some countries)

Ninpo was developed as an “outside of the box” thinking mindset and thrived in a culture, country and time that was strictly set in policy and standard. 

I strongly feel that to think of the teachings of the Bujinkan as a normal martial art, is to miss the point entirely.  If not a normal martial art-then no way bound to the definition of what people to believe a martial art to be.

Therefore fixed ideas of what is a ”martial art”, means nothing and completely out of context when speaking about the Bujinkan.

Recently Soke has been writing the terms for Ninpo Ikkan replacing the character of “po” with the “po” meaning treasure.

Takamatsu Sensei told Soke that what matters in Budo is the heart of the warrior.

Development of this heart is the treasure that we all seek.