The secret to martial arts is that there is no secret. It continues to amuse me that there are so many products and programs out there that claim to be something special, something secret or never before taught or the “real thing”. 25 years in training in the Bujinkan and 15 years training with Hatsumi Soke in Japan and I can honestly say that there is no secret or special trick that is going to make you a more effective Budoka. The key is and always will be, training and even more critical-realistic training.
Proximity to Soke-Years of training-Time spent in Japan-The only one who knows how to read the scrolls. None of this makes or defines a warrior. What makes a warrior is the heart. The heart of the matter is that nothing matters when your kihon is not kihon. You must have a just foundation of ethics and stand for that of warrior. This is what will determine the degree of your heart. 15 Dans are wall paper unless they are indicative of your heart fused to your actual ability on a foundation of proper kihon.
Training is what will polish your heart and training is what will make you effective. However, it must be training in kihon that is kihon and effective dynamics that are tried and tested. Technique is not the answer and will not answer your questions.
A compliant uke-A fancy Dojo-A lack of actual ability does not make the heart of a warrior.
I’m grateful for the Bujinkan as I have met many fellow Buyu with great hearts, warrior hearts.
Are we seeking to develop a real life ability?
Or are we just seeking to accessorize with a 10th dan?
Soke is an amazing example of a man with a gracious heart and truly amazing taijutsu ability. I can never be him, I can only model him in my own training. I will and should have aspiration to achieve something different, as each and everyone walks their own path.
As this year’s theme is Kihon, are you practicing kihon happo or are you questioning your foundation?
It seems that it is your very foundation that will be constantly tested, not your technique.
Bufu Ikkan
Fantastic writing, Doug. Ever insightful, and layered with rich advice. See you later in the year, mate. Best wishes.
Doug,
Excellent post. Thank you.
Karl
Nice post Doug!
Excellent!
Hi,
I live a train in Sweden and in the dojos I train in here, for your 9 th kyu you write a short essay about why you want to train bujinkan. This is a sort of foundation as it illustrates what type of path you will follow and like so many things it something that must be returned to and re-examined. Why do I train? Hope you come to Sweden some time. And thanks for a great blog
What shoes do you wear with a 10 dan?
Abi taught us the kihon of the kihon, or as one teacher put it, the “basics of the basics.” Recently I was reminded that one of the signs of a noble person, people, or nation is a sense of honorable and beautiful sentimentality in a time of tragedy or loss. Memories of past times have a fragrance that is pleasant to recall, and the pleasure of those recollections serve to counterbalance the pain and sorrow of the loss. Gandalf comforts others by telling them that Pippin “will not forget his grief; bit it will not darken his heart, it will teach him wisdom.” That is my wish, that I will never forget the pain of Abi’s passing, but that it will not darken my heart, but instead will prompt me to wisdom. I desire to have the fragrance of memories of our time with Abi always fresh in my mind, and that would include the time that we had with her during the last difficult chapter of her life. I learned lessons that I do not ever want to forget.
Well said Stu. Abi was always one to go out of her way to help others. This is the basic of basics. Obviously she qualified for angleship and was recruited early. The rest of us have far to go.
Well said !
Thanks for posting always deeply inspired and insightful writings, Doug. I had commented on it a few weeks ago but it didn’t appear. Hope I have better luck this time. ~ See you in around Aug & November. Best wishes.
Last point well taken. Thanks for the post
Hi Doug.
Nice blog.
You are doing a very good job.
Thank you so much.
Your Buyu, Serrano.
doug ,
my name is john it is my dream to come to japan and study like you did , how did you get to live in japan so long wat can i do to live in japan so i can follow in ur foot steps
pvtjohntaylor@yahoo.com
I’d like to subscribe to your blog…
Thanks, Doug.
Your words have meaning very personal to me as I have been on the same reflection. Could this be a state of the World? Of our lives? The collision of these facts with the unknown reality of a future? Life, in itself, is a very simple event. You live. The intricacies in how you live it is what makes your Life. I see one common thing with the true followers of Hatsumi, the desire to “keep going” and be better. Not just at Budo, but with family, career, the community, and everything they touch.
Thanks again for sharing the personal reflection. It was very timely.