Recently, a Budo inspiration came to me.  I realized that when playing and wrestling with a two year old child, I had to be extra present with my hands in order to avoid inflicting injury.  I noticed that from my training it seemed that naturally my hands, even without specific intention, often ended up entering in vulnerable places with the right timing to inflict injury. 

I began to think about the aspect of Ikken Hasso and Soke’s words regarding that one must rescue the opponent from injury.  This lesson became very clear and apparent in this opportunity.  Reflecting deeper on this concept, the kenjutsu concept of Satsujinto (殺人刀) or satsujinken（殺人剣）life taking sword and Katsujinken (活人剣) life giving sword came to mind.  Changing the character for sword “ken” 剣 to “ken” that of fist拳 binds this concept well.

In our physical training, we are focusing on the concept of satsujinken and I’m sure everyone who trains agrees that those incidents exist where we accidently slip and strike the training partner by accident inflicting injury.  (although, some may view this as success These are obvious and well noticed and sometimes embarrassing. However, there are also those times where we unnoticeably assist our partner to avoid injury and this goes undetected

Thinking of this further, this is also a strong analogy of the mindset of the Budoka.  In order to be able to perform and control without notice or detection requires a great amount of selflessness and confidence.  To inflict pain with satsujinken can be viewed as violent a need to be noticed or recognized.  The one that helps does so unoticeably and without need for recognition.  To truly help someone would be to do so without need for reward.

It can be seen that the highest achievement of martial arts is to avoid conflict or inflicting pain; therefore those that have achieved this level often go undetected and do not possess the need to standout.

Bufu Ikkan

In Budo we often focus on the self, and although this specific point is very critical and can be considered an endless struggle, we must never lose the ability to see the opponent.  The very essence of conflict exists between two points.  This is the natural duality.  In internal struggle this is between the “ego self” and the” real self”.  As stated before, this may be the most difficult fight to win and seems to be ongoing regardless of any level of achievement.

Often the conflict could be resolved by simply understanding the opponent.  Soke mentioned recently that the part that is often missed in the study of Budo is that of looking at the opponent.  Soke used the term to see “miru” rather than to understand “Wakaru”.  It is my opinion that to “see”, is primary and that “understanding”may require crucial time that might not be available in the moment.  True Budo is not something that can be understood or explained or studied.

We could achieve so much more if we implemented the practice of seeing the opponent -no surprises or conflict can be avoided entirely.  Seeing allows for positioning, as Soke is always in this position of safety.

Why would one purposely position oneself for conflict?  All the teachings say that it is due to the ego.

Soke often says “don’t make yourself a target” and this is a simple statement with profound wisdom.  I’m the first to admit that it is always easier said than done and this is just further example of the ”fight within”. 

Ability to see the opponent must come from an achieved level of first seeing the opponent within and is this not the essence of martial arts?

Bufu Ikkan.

The Kihon of martial arts is not technique and there is a distinct difference between Kihon and Kihon waza.  If you do not have solid Kihon then the Kihon waza will result in nothing.

The Kihon of Martial Arts is: Distance, Angles and Timing (DAT) and proper waza cannot be executed without control of the space with these 3 elements.  These 3 elements must be thought of as essential and primary and therefore must be correct and just before you attempt to execute waza or technique.  Too many rush to the waza and therefore ignore the Kihon, resulting in bad habits and ineffectiveness. 

The difference lies in the mindset of the training. DAT must be honed by drill training and not technique based training.  Soke often says that he has no technique, but he always has the primary control of the space based on the DAT.  This comes from consistent training of Kihon and not from the training of technique.  If you have the control of DAT then you always strive to be in a position of safety where opponent is ill positioned.  The choice to execute technique becomes optional and is purely dictated by the opponents continued need to fight.

It is also important to draw the difference between a technique and a drill.  An easy example is that of training in Judo. If you have ever trained in Judo you know that there are drills that are practiced to catch the DAT of a throw.  The throw is only initiated after several reputations and is only executed after the Judoka has experienced the proper DAT of the throw.  These are drills are not considered nage waza.

In our training if we are not fully present and questioning the reality of the attacks, our response, and the effectiveness of our Kihon, then we are cheating ourselves.

Bufu Ikkan

An interesting discussion emerged from training last night with Soke.  Soke mentioned that what is important in the experience of his training is for us to grasp the image.  The mind must be able to imagine the desired outcome in a sense of premonition and then attempt through training to bring that image to reality through the body or Taijutsu. This is obviously not limited to just one grand image, but an infinite number of images that are connected in a continuation in the ultimate control of the space. Maybe a reasonable analogy can be a motion picture where a combination of images is run to create an overall story.  This concept is blended with this year’s theme of the rope with the likeness to a strip of film. Strive to connect the images in a continuous string of control.

Not only does the image hold importance, but the moment as well, or the particular instant.  This is not necessarily what we would think of as the common concept of timing. It was further explained by Soke as the moment of kyojutsu or “Kyojitsu no Shunkan”　(虚実の瞬間)

The concept of imagery is present in all that is art, and the ultimate challenge of any artist is the same and that is to bring an image to reality. 

This concept struck a particular chord with my experience with music.  Often there is an image of a song or piece of music that will appear, but the challenge is to bring that image to reality before it is gone.  The image is often lost in that instant and the opportunity is therefore gone to neve be created again.  When speaking of this idea to Soke, he simply said that it is the Master who can take an image from the mind and create an exact actual replica in the material world without disruption.  You can also imagine that the ability to allow spontaneity to flow naturally is a critical point. 

Often, the only obstacle to the creative process is oneself.  

Imagine that!

Bufu Ikkan

At times, I naturally find myself asking why Bujinkan? This question is especially noticeable to me when I’m attending training at Ayase or the Hombu Dojo and there are so many people present from so many different countries and cultures.

Why are so many people interested in the Bujinkan?
Why do so many people come to Japan for training?
What is so great about our training?

The answer has always been the same.

Bufu Ikkan

Today I turn 38. I have always dreaded accepting the approach to 40 since it almost seems like a negative transition away from youth. However, I forced myself to stop being negative and ask myself…

“What would Soke say?”

This simple question allowed me to apply Budo thinking instantly and begin to think and see differently. The birth day is an opportunity (as in every day really) to start again. The beauty is that you can continue to start over at any time until passing on, which in its own sense is the ultimate rebirth.

This thinking can also be attributed to the training lifestyle of the Budoka. Training is that, a chance to start over when you don’t get it right. Perfection is a myth and the point is the process, hence training is a lifetime endeavor. Only you can know, as it is a lonely path.

Thinking about starting over brings the concept of “ichi” to mind, or “ichimind”. While in Ireland and the UK, this was a major point of study in the trainings that I had the honor of leading. Zero is the balance point or the equilibrium, and action must begin with one. Therefore the “ichi” and the nature of the outcome depends on properly executed “ichi” which can only be derived from proper consistent training in the basics of Distance, Angles and Timing.

Listening to the voice in my head when I ask the question “What would Soke say”, I hear that “you must get the “ichi” right and the rest will follow”. Very easy to say, but difficult to master. That is the challenge. It is easy to talk about, but who really can execute it? The reality and proper Saino Konki comes from the ability to execute. Too many are the master of the mouth and not the space. This might be the dividing line between those that have Saino Konki and those that don’t. To use the cliché, action speaks louder than words, Soke has been saying recently that “there are many 15th Dans in the world today, train with a good one”.

Furthermore, Soke recently said that he purposely changed the theme to Saino Konki replacing the character of shin with kon or tamashi in Saino Shinki to emphasis the aspect of Tamashi or soul or spirit. The body houses the soul only temporarily and moves on. Often you can feel the soul or spirit of others enter your body or those close to you. Soke often feels that the spirit of Takamatsu Sensei

Back to Ichi no kamae… To apply Soke’s thinking I was able to interpret the following. If today I’m 38 years old then 3+8 is 11 or one and one or 1 and -1 therefore the balance or zero. And Ichi no kamae is infinite and can be in any direction. Taking action to 1 or -1 is the critical point and proper distance to deliver proper reaction is ever so critical in Budo, and can be called the kanjinkaname. Distancing yourself from need to take action can also often be the difference between success or failure, but then again Soke would say that failure is success. One must think like a Ninja.

So the lesson here is that no matter how much you train or apply your training, there is always a chance to lose track of the lesson. The mind and emotions are powerful forces that control the body and mind often driving us away from the Budo lesson and keeping the Budoka from being able to go back to zero on a regular basis. However once back to Zero you can then take the first step to “ichi” and start over.

I do this now by asking myself a simple question… “What would Soke say?”

Bufu Ikkan

A few weeks have passed since the seminar in the UK and all I can say is that it was a fantastic seminar and experience. I truly feel that the training level is high and that people really enjoyed the training. I want to sincerely thank David Oliver and the Bujinkan Koshin Dojo. I had a fantastic time with David and all of his group. I also want to thank all the supporting Dojo’s as well, Norman Smithers for his support during the training, and all the others that I may have missed. The evening training with Simon Yeo in London was also superb, and I want to thank Simon for that arrangement as well as all the participants.
At the training in Swindon I had an inspiration from this year’s theme that I felt was the highlight for me of all the trainings and I would like to share that here. We were working with the ever so challenging rope and I realized that it is very difficult, if not impossible, to determine the outcome of a rope technique. The 100% spontaneity of the rope is an almost perfect reflection of our training in the Bujinkan. Using the rope is challenging and becomes almost impossible if we try and create a specific outcome. However, if we allow the rope to work as a rope without resistance, the opponent will naturally bind and loose the ability to fight. Although a small inspiration, this has had large impact on my interpretation of the theme this year.
Flexibility, spontaneity are lost if we try and fight. The rope will bind you just as much as conflict.
It’s always the little things that matter.
Bufu Ikkan

Paul Masse & Rob Renner

Theme:

空間の縄Kukan no nawa  虚実の縄Kyojitsu no nawa

Date: March 14 & 15

Location: Davis Athletic Center – Davis, Ca

To register and Prepay contact us at: Dan@bujinkanlife.com

Or for more information call:  916 997 0573 

Rob Renner in Central Florida

Date: March 21 & 22

Time: 11am to 6pm – Sat, 11am to 5pm Sun

Location: Balanced Way Martial Arts

          923 N Magnolia Rd Suite.900

          Ocala, Fl 34475

Contact: Gary Mitchell  352 875-3442 , ninpo749@yahoo.com

To prepay zeropointtraining@yahoo.com

Rob Renner in Chicago Area

Date: March 28 & 29

Time: 11 am – 6 pm (both days)

Location: Brooks Martial Arts Center / Bujinkan Bushigokoro Dojo

       600 Industrial Drive Unit F

       Cary, IL. 60013

Contact: Anthony Brooks   847-462-5909 

The Ireland seminar has come to a close and I feel that it was a great success.  As usual, the atmosphere and people are second to none.

I truly feel that what they have created in Ireland is an excellent example to the global Bujinkan community.

Training for the sake of training.  I want to thank Alex Meehan for his support and arrangement as well as Alan Butler, Glen MacNevin, and Marcus Dwyer for their support. It was also a treat to see Elias and his students who came all the way from Norway.

Please read the below comments on the seminar from a 9^th kyu who has had several years experience in other martial arts.  His comments are quite refreshing to see coming from someone with not such long history in the Bujinkan. I feel that it my intentions and message have been received.

• The first observation is to do with the way the teachings of the various ryuha of the Bujinkan are transmitted. Any instruction I’ve received in the past (especially in relation to classical jujutsu) has primarily come in the form of repeated drills and copious numbers of technique. After hours of training (months or even years) it would eventually sink in, and I would realize the principles that were being demonstrated. The reason I point this out is because of the unique teaching approach taken in Bujinkan. From my observations, I’ve noticed that the principles (which at times are difficult to grasp) are orally transmitted, followed by a demonstration in the form of a technique. The principles learned can then be played with in order to get a feel for them. So in comparison to what I’ve learned prior to Bujinkan I would say the majority of teaching strategies in martial arts are yo (yang), and Bujinkan is in (yin). In other words the Bujinkan teaching strategy goes to the heart of the art and moves outwards, whereas the majority of martial arts start on the outside and move inward. So, what principles did I learn?
• Controlling space. Using tai sabaki to fill the space around uke, or generate a vacuum for uke to fill.
• Balance disruption. Using Ukes balance points to maintain control, also using tai sabaki to displace uke’s balance.
• Concealing (invisibility). Concealing intent, also concealing weapons and ability!
• Flow. Keeping the flow of a technique is an essential element that allows the above principles to work.
• Illusion (false impression). ie. generating the impression of being close when in truth there is distance. Applied to kenjutsu I think it was demonstrated by giving the impression of being full when in reality you are empty (iaijutsu, the bo strikes at the drawing hand, the drawing hand releases the grip).
• Flexibility. Most notably in kobujutsu, using weapons as if they are nawa. 
• Another major point Doug made was that there is always a reverse of a technique (which is the basics of combat and of movement). In and yo encompasses every principle of Bujutsu, from what I can see! One other thing that stands out in my mind is the idea of getting a sense of the air, or feeling your surroundings intuitively. I learned a lot and really enjoyed the seminar.

Looking forward to seeing everyone in the UK at both locations in a few days.
Bufu Ikkan.

The “No” theme of this year is developing into a truly binding concept.  Soke has made reference on several occasions to the study of the various ryuha with no attachment to form incorporating the idea of the rope/string/thread.

The concept of the rope as been described as well as demonstrated with actually using a rope in the taijutsu as well as the use of weapons in a flexible capacity.  This is true to even the sword, where Soke is focused on using it again as a flexible weapon.

It is critical to understand the connection in things, as previously discussed in a previous post.  Making and maintaining the connection, allowing the opponent to become bound in his or her own attack or intention through subtle powerless control.  The training focus is on taijutsu control in such a way to not break this connection, or in a sense allow the string to break.  Soke has made reference to fishing and how one must land a trophy tuna with the same pound test as one would normally use for a much smaller fish.  This is a good example of adjusting to the environment and the proper distance and space to control the situation.

This year we will see yet another release in the Kodansha series, called “Budo No Gokui” or the secrets of Budo.  This will be a combination of the thinking and philosophy which exists to bind the study and understanding of Hatsumi Soke’s Budo.  This work will be even more subtle depicting the philosophy of the Bujinkan and how this is woven into our training of taijutsu and happo bikken.

At both ends of a rope you may find polar opposites, however the flexibility of the rope allows for the joining of the two ends creating “en” or ring. (Also interpreted as continuation)  Understanding this concept and how it translates to taijutsu is the focus of this years’ “No” theme.  Any one position of the rope is a possibility and the freedom of the mind to accept this is also a critical concept of our study.  As in the idea of kyusho, they are connected in the body via the sting of the nerves in the nerve system. 

The foundation of Budo is peace and harmony and this is what we should strive to seek. Violent budo or sport is something that we would surely distance ourselves from.

If you whip a rope with enough force, there is a very high chance of inflicting injury upon yourself.  

Therefore, distance yourself from violence allowing an opponent to bind in the attack upon. You need not be a part of it.

Bufu Ikkan