All Guts no Ryuha
The following post is comprised of the content of a number of recent conversations with Soke…
Apparently, I learned from conversations with Soke and Noguchi Sensei that during the warring states period in Japan there were no Ryuha. Ryuha was something that developed in a more peaceful time. Thinking about this, it makes sense that in order for an art form to develop, it would be at a time of peace and not a time of war.
In a period of war, style, form and kata are not at all useful. The only useful element is courage and the guts to fight. These are not skills but an innate trait.
The important factor to ponder here is that strategy, mindset and the ability to influence people to motivate to battle is a far more critical skill set than any technique or style of fighting.
I would even go as far to say that “style” means nothing and there is/was no “superior style” that can win wars. It comes down to superior tactics combined with the intangible abilities mentioned above. Not to mention a good dose of luck, and of course, superior weaponry.
We must also not overlook the evolution of weaponry. The truth of history is that during the time the way of the sword was considered to become an art form was the exact time that guns entered Japan and were being used to win battles. Thus anyone bringing a sword to a gun fight was bound to lose and the ryuha dies with them.
We must have the eyes to look at the history of things and the underlying truth that may not always exist on the surface. Executing the needed emotional control to see through what might be hype or fantasy.
Some study martial arts for the glory or the fantasy to become the ultimate warrior, but the real determination of warriorship comes from within and cannot be taught.
What our Soke IS teaching us in the Bujinkan is a global look at what war is (and more so life) and not the quest for what is the ultimate technique. There is not one.
War is fought on the battlefield and it is a live or die outcome.
Win or lose are terms for different game, and exactly that, a game.
Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu is a lifestyle, a warrior development philosophy-different from what is expected of the present day martial arts.
Martial Arts are for peace time.
But the true warrior is never at peace, because the biggest battle is within.
Ninpo Ikkan
March 14, 2008 at 10:04 am
Great explanation. It also elliminates the search for the ultimate technique. As someone said ”there is no best technique but best warrior”. The importance of courage and guts are nicely put. This is a good lesson that we must think about it seriously.
March 14, 2008 at 12:47 pm
A look at WW2 combatives manuals will tell you the same story. Interesting stuff!
March 14, 2008 at 4:04 pm
SUBARASHII!
March 15, 2008 at 1:52 am
Doug, do you mean to imply that learning the exactly correct way to do all the waza and kata of all the ryuha is NOT what Hatsumi sensei’s Budo is about?!?
Oh lordy, whatEVER shall we do now???
March 15, 2008 at 4:36 am
Great article Doug.
How exactly does one develop these “guts” ?
Is it just as simple as being born with them, or not ?
As far as strategy you’ve probably heard the Joe Louis quote “Everybody’s got plans… until they get hit.”
Which makes guts all the more important I guess.
Thanks for the interesting read.
March 15, 2008 at 12:09 pm
Dear Doug,
thank you very much for your post. It has been linked to from a German Bujinkan Forum and there has been a request to translate it for all those whose English is not that good. Since it is your text I´d like to ask you for your permission to translate it.
Sincerely,
Karsten
March 15, 2008 at 5:16 pm
I liked your article very much.it I will be passing it along to my students here in Brazil.. Lately I have been speaking to my students about the difference between “having courage ” and “having no fear”. Here in Brazil most people are culturally neutered with the idea of being passive minded this allows the few criminals,crooked police and bad politicians to keep them under control . Most Brazilians are taught not to fight back so much it has become part of the culture. In my opinion Having courage is the ability to do what is necessary to protect yourself or others even if you are afraid, fear is a natural reaction in your body to aide you with your fight or flight decision to give you more strength. Now Having no fear is something a idiot might say which now makes him dangerous to himself and other around him, you should always have a healthy respect for the control of fear,it keeps you alert and on your toes and gives you the Guts to go on when others a running away. “Guts” alone is nothing without strategy..We must all learn and relearn to do what is necessary to survive everyday.
The older I get the more I understand Soke’s words “Keep going”and my all time favorite from the good old days “Shut up and train”. Keep your wonderful words on warrior development coming, my students and myself enjoy reading your articles…
Good Job..Keep it Coming
Ninpo Ikkan
March 16, 2008 at 2:48 am
that’s right , it it summed up by hatsumi-sensei’s words: GAMBATTE(keep going).
no matter how hard, how tough, how the odds are stacked against you; the world is against you and you have nothing else except that inner reservoir, you must keep going, keep surviving.
March 16, 2008 at 11:46 pm
Very well put.
Luis Acosta
March 17, 2008 at 1:32 am
I have frequently told my friends that I train with that the ability to fight comes from within, not from learned techniques. The ability to be free from technique is the greatest gift from Soke. Gambatte all.
March 17, 2008 at 3:02 pm
Hi Doug,
I can only agree with the others: great article! Even if this has been pointed out many times by Soke and the Shihan over the years, it made me think again of my training and the way I teach. We need “little reminders” every now and then…
Thank you.
Regards from Germany,
Stefan
March 18, 2008 at 12:40 am
Hi Doug,
Great article! It reminds me of a book I read recently called “talent is not enough”. It is a non-martial arts book, but describe the idea you expressed in different terms. Trying to be pefect, grasping the ultimate technique misses the point behind the training. It is really about character development, growth as leaders and examples.
March 18, 2008 at 9:07 pm
Thanks for this very important insight!
March 21, 2008 at 3:29 am
Those who believe that the Ryuha (and the Scrolls that ossify them) are the only “truth” do not understand Hatsumi-sensei’s budo.
April 23, 2008 at 5:23 pm
“But the true warrior is never at peace, because the biggest battle is within.”
That is a very powerful statement! There is so much to that! Thanks for everything Doug!
David Russ