I received today the first sample copy of Soke’s new book , the “Essence of Budo” due to be officially released by Kondansha in a few weeks time. The actual date is not yet fixed, as far as I am aware.
This book was particularly challenging to translate as the amount of text was significantly more than previous books , incorporating several history lessons and studies on humanity and life. In facing this challenge we worked together as a team which also was unique experience and the amount of photos and layout has taken some time. This book, although written by Soke was somewhat of a Bujinkan wide project as a majority of the photos appearing in the book were taken by our Buyu.
As with the Essence of all things, the truth is not to be taught, but to be discovered.
The basics of Martial Arts may actually be the Essence as well as those life experiences that shape a Budoka in the aspect of Kuden. Kuden clearly is not an aspect of knowledge but that of presence.
In the presence of a master.
Bufu Ikkan
Hi Doug,
thanks for the “preview”!
As for “…the truth is not to be taught, but to be discovered”: A lot of people mistake it in our time, that one can find the truth in rules and dogmas. One tends to forget, that the truth (if there is *the* truth) can actually be only experienced and learned, thus be discovered.
Best wishes,
Fernando
Hi,
I’ve only been training six years in bujinkan but I feel that “truth” is something very fluid. There is only the truth of the moment. Afterwards you can convince yourself of any truth so all that matters is the feeling of truth in the moment. Just like the saki test, I haven’t done it myself yet, but all that matters, I believe, is the truth you feel in that moment. How you feel like explaining why you move out of way afterwards really doesn’t matter, I think
, only the experience of truth.
Regards
Stephen Macken
A 3rd Dan from Linköping, Sweden
Simply put. I cannot wait. =)
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Hello Doug,
I was fortunate to receive an early U.S. copy of THE ESSENCE OF BUDO from a kind rep from Oxford Univ. Press (which represents Kodansha in the States). What an wonderful, valuable, and historically rich book for every Bugeisha! As with all of Hatsumi Soke’s books from Kodansha, it sets the bar for excellence.
Congratulations to the translation efforts of the entire team (you, Bruce, Craig, and Paul), and to the fine photographs taken by Buyu that enhance the text. They really capture the feeling of training with Hatsumi Soke. We are very fortunate that Soke has been willing to be so generous with his teachings, and also fortunate that we have good translators to bring that message to a wider audience.
Bufu Ikkan!
Kevin