Budo does not begin and end when you pass through the dojo, or step on and off a mat. Practicing musha shugyo when you have no teacher or group is still viable. Isolation is not an end state. Are you shut in your home without access to your teacher or dojo? Is there fear in your mind and those around you? Should you put your training on hold?
Now, more than ever, is it essential to maintain your practice. Practice does not mean physically swinging your sword or pinning your opponent off balance. Spiritual and emotional training should always be present.
Fear.
Certainly, there is always something to be afraid of. Presently with the coronavirus pandemic, those reasons for fear are numerous. Not only of our own health and mortality but also our loved ones passing away or being ill. Some of us are in jeopardy of losing our livelihood, food supply, and homes. These are all real situations now.
One of the first lessons in kenjutsu (or any martial art) is not to be afraid. It is not always a lesson your teacher sits you down to explain, but you come to face quite early on. There is regularly an opportunity for dread in bujutsu. Fear can be slight and nuanced. As a beginner, you might have a fear of practicing in a new dojo. You could be afraid of an individual's speed or power during training. Afraid to become hurt while training. Fear of losing in a match or being struck.
We should endeavor to understand our fear and its origins. Fear can be paralyzing and inhibit our actions. The ramifications of freezing physically and mentally are pretty apparent in martial arts. The feelings of fear and anxiety can become a snake eating its own tail causing endless issues.
It is essential to contemplate and be mindful in order to gain wisdom. Wisdom is the tool we use to look into fear and investigate its origins. This is something worth writing in a budo notebook or martial arts journal. I believe it is beneficial for not only cataloging your training and waza but for understanding the processes of our minds.
Fear produces emotional responses, and our intelligence is restricted. Making proper decisions and taking just action becomes difficult or impossible. The goal is not fearlessness per se. The goal is gaining wisdom for understanding and overcoming the fear that prevents us from growth and paralyzing our actions that need to be taken at that time.
Fear is one of the mental sicknesses in budō that should be investigated and overcome. Nothing is separating our budo practice with our life outside the dōjō. Thinking, "I have a lot to do so I will figure out myself later." does not work. The time is now. Time is fleeting, and we must apply our energies to understanding the truth and overcoming our weaknesses.
Coronavirus Pandemic & Martial Arts
Although Shinkan-ryū Kenpō online curriculum is still going on, our Renshinkan dojo here in Japan has been closed since February 29th. I do some physical iaijutsu and kenjutsu training outside. I do a little bit indoors as well. Although I have no space for it, I modify things and make do. Every day I am engaging my mind in wholesome manners and activities as part of my budo practice. Reviewing waza and notes. Meditating. Practicing shodō. I also enjoy books and films and cooking. It is essential to keep from being depressed or anxiety-ridden, especially during these trying times. It is difficult some times to maintain, but I do not give up. This isolation currently being imposed upon us without our choosing, however turning it into musha shugyo is within our choice. This current situation is our practice. It is why we study bujutsu.
Our budō training is a stream that flows through our life and dōjō. It is a flow that connects all aspects of who we are and what we do. Our dojo thoughts and actions should not contrast those outside the dōjō
I hope everyone is doing well. Please be smart and safe.
ラジカスキー真照
館長Saneteru Radzikowski is the head sword instructor of Shinkan-ryū Kenpō. He lives and teaches Iaijutsu and Kenjutsu from Nara, Japan.
Mushin State of No Mind In Martial Arts
I would like to express my thoughts on the concept of mushin no shin —...
Four Enemies
Four Friends. Four Enemies. One morning while on alms rounds the Buddha gave a heap...
Impermanence, The Mind, and the Truth
After every meditation session my teacher, with his eyes still closed, would softly speak in...
Too Many Martial Arts
The koryū of Japan are not self-defense arts. Although they can be authentic and certainly...
Iaijutsu Iaido Sword Timing Lesson
Timing while training alone is an important aspect to keep alive and well in the...
Fear Isolation Martial Arts
Budo does not begin and end when you pass through the dojo, or step on...
Guilt and Responsibility
I heard a student say, “If I don’t do any kind of training every day,...
How to learn kenjutsu?
How to learn kenjutsu? Learning anything as profound as a martial art needs a teacher....
A Very Budo Christmas Happy Holidays & New Year
Happy Holidays and Happy New Year to all of you that were kind and supported...
Ranks, Respect, and Reverberations: Navigating Today’s Martial World
In the hallowed path of martial arts, the journey has always been as significant, if...
Practice. Time Is Fleeting
In #budo as well as life, in general, we should avoid wasting time. We need...
Kata: Classical Japanese Samurai Training Method
Bujutsu Kata Training in martial arts can be done in different ways. One of the...
Budo: The Culture of Destruction
The desire to destroy is within us all. We must overcome this urge to tear...
Be Thankful.Be Earnest In Bujutsu & Life
Be thankful for your mistakes, failures, and blunders. They are your own teacher reminding you...
Rei – 礼 – Gratitude In Budo Training Life
Gratitude for our swords and training equipment, and those that made them. To our teachers...
The Sword With Two Edges
Today I decided to write the four kanji compound of morohanotsurugi. In English, we might...
Advance The Sword And Mind
No matter what, move. Advance. Unceasingly against whatever odds, internal or external, move towards the...
What does Bugei mean?
Bugei translates as Martial art, Military arts, or Arts of war. Bu 武 means warrior...
Budō Practice & Sacrifice
[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent="no" hundred_percent_height="no" hundred_percent_height_scroll="no" hundred_percent_height_center_content="yes" equal_height_columns="no" menu_anchor="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" status="published" publish_date="" class="" id="" background_color="" background_image="" background_position="center...
What Does Iaido & Iaijutsu Mean?
Iaijutsu and iaido are components of kenjutsu 剣術, the arts of the sword. Iaijutsu, iaido...
The Point of Iaido & Tame
Pardon the pun, but the point of iaido is important to keep. When we practice...
Tachi Iai & Suwari Iai Demonstrations
[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent="no" hundred_percent_height="no" hundred_percent_height_scroll="no" hundred_percent_height_center_content="yes" equal_height_columns="no" menu_anchor="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" status="published" publish_date="" class="" id="" background_color="" background_image="" background_position="center...
7 Year Anniversary of Online and In-person Sword Learning
Today marks a significant milestone in our journey — the 7th Anniversary of Shinkan-ryu Kenpo!...
Too Many Martial Arts
The koryū of Japan are not self-defense arts. Although they can be authentic and certainly...
Cómo aprender Kenjutsu?
Aprender cualquier cosa tan profunda como un arte marcial requiere de un maestro. El kenjutsu,...
Narrow Minds Walk Narrow Paths
Narrow Minds Walk Narrow Paths There are a lot of martial arts to enjoy. There...
How To Learn Samurai Sword Fighting Without A Teacher?
I get asked often, “Hey, is it possible to learn sword fighting without a teacher...
Is Studying Multiple Martial Arts Ok?
Many people study more than one martial art. There can be varied reasons, such as...
A Very Budo Christmas Happy Holidays & New Year
Happy Holidays and Happy New Year to all of you that were kind and supported...
The End of Training & Boredom In Martial Arts
Budō Is Limitless When does training end? When do we become a master? The short...
Koryū Menkyo Kaiden & Classical Martial Arts Proliferation
免許皆伝 Menkyo Kaiden and Koryu Proliferation Mention menkyo or menkyo kaiden around some martial artists...
Martial Arts Doesn’t Change You Into A Hero
Joe is a bit of a jerk.Joe joins a dojo.Joe practices martial arts for 12...
Don’t Fall Into The Honey
You only have a little bit longer to live. The end is coming, whether in...
Happy Setsubun
鬼は外! 福は内! In our house we dont use beans to chase out the demons, we...
Four Enemies
Four Friends. Four Enemies. One morning while on alms rounds the Buddha gave a heap...
Practice. Time Is Fleeting
In #budo as well as life, in general, we should avoid wasting time. We need...
Iaijutsu Iaido Sword Timing Lesson
Timing while training alone is an important aspect to keep alive and well in the...
Dominando las Artes Marciales y las Bases
Hablaré acerca de bases y dominio. Antes de comenzar, quiero decir que usaré la palabra...
What is Kenjutsu? A guide to Japanese swordsmanship
Kenjutsu (剣術) is the Japanese art of the sword. It is one of the four...
A Disease of the Swordsman
The Sword and its study. Hesitation (doubt) is one of the four diseases in swordsmanship....
Impermanence, The Mind, and the Truth
After every meditation session my teacher, with his eyes still closed, would softly speak in...
Budo: The Culture of Destruction
The desire to destroy is within us all. We must overcome this urge to tear...
Learning Koryū Kenjutsu & Iaijutsu Traditionally
Martial Arts Creator Origin Myths of Japan
Japanese Koryū Creator myths; becoming enlightened and making up a whole martial arts system. Some...