I train to strike correctly. I perform keiko to understand the angles of my sword. Swordsmanship and sword combat at that the center of my life, however I am not interested in performing violence on others.
There is a saying prevalent in swordsmanship, Saya no uchi de katsu, victory without drawing the sword. I see horrible violence performed under the ideas of righteous justice. There should be no martial artist involved in the injury of anyone in their pursuit of justice. It is best to find a means to win without the shedding of blood. A literal eye for an eye solves nothing and creates a tidal wave from the ocean of samsara that will wipe out yourself and your enemies ensuring nothing ever gets solved or fixed.
Our physical acts of violence are not the only thing to cause injury. Our speech, as well, can hurt someone, although not the sole part of the problem look at the cyberbullying that lead to Kimura-sans suicide here in Japan. She was a member of Terrace House and felt that she could not handle the mounds of negative messages. She felt overwhelmed and took her own life. When we are wounded, we sometimes say awful and hurtful things. A swordsman with a quick and untempered tongue is just as dangerous as one slashing about with their katana. I learned the hard way about the lessons of a loose tongue.
All of these problems of course, stem from the mind. And it is the mind that creates saya no uchi.
We must find a way to victory without harming others, and creating unwholesome environments. To seek a path that imparts health and prosperity while holding up the ideals of righteousness. To win without bloodshed or pain or suffering of those that oppose us. After all, it is only through ignorance that others misunderstand our ideas. Are we not without some ignorance towards other ideas as well?
Another side of the coin
Saya no uchi de katsu, also has the meaning of winning when the opposition is intimidated enough to concede victory without a fight. Your mental and physical posture (migamae, korkogame, etc.) is strong enough that the opposition realizes it is not worth it to engage with you. This is not empty posturing, however. Acting tough or being an emotional bully is not what saya no uchi is about. True keiko cultivates proper mental, spiritual and physical abilities.
Through experience and wisdom, we can build a stronger spiritual core. We can navigate the fires of the world without getting burned even if we are set on fire by others.
Training in iaijutsu to understand never drawing the sword is a difficult endeavor. It is paradoxical to many; studying violence to commit no violence. As students of martial arts, we must start with the mind. Do not engage in violence to solve the failures of yourself or society.
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.
Budo: The Culture of Destruction
The desire to destroy is within us all. We must overcome this urge to tear...
Equanimity Of A Bushi
Under the big blue sky, Walk with purpose. せいしょうにへいほうす。青空をすたすた歩く。 Move towards your difficulties (or life...
Unleash the Potential of Your Iaido Success
We’re diving deep into the art and discipline of Iaido, a journey that goes far...
Making Excuses In Martial Arts
In the dojo, when I hear a student offer excuses to a teacher, I can...
Be Thankful.Be Earnest In Bujutsu & Life
Be thankful for your mistakes, failures, and blunders. They are your own teacher reminding you...
What Does Iaido & Iaijutsu Mean?
Iaijutsu and iaido are components of kenjutsu 剣術, the arts of the sword. Iaijutsu, iaido...
Maai; Combative Space-timing
Teaching maai 間合い, the ideas of combative spacing and timing intervals in kenjutsu.
Martial Arts Creator Origin Myths of Japan
Japanese Koryū Creator myths; becoming enlightened and making up a whole martial arts system. Some...
What Value Is In Martial Arts Training?
Someone asked, “What value is there in martial arts training?” I reflected, what do I...
Honesty and the Martial Arts Hermit. Being a good budō teacher and student.
When people want to find a martial arts teacher, do they often think of mister...
Components of Iaido Iaijutsu
[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...
Wisdom Martial Arts Keiko & Buddhism
For those that lack wisdom the way is difficult. It is best to consider the...
Shu-ha-ri Budo Learning
Fear Isolation Martial Arts
Budo does not begin and end when you pass through the dojo, or step on...
Four Enemies
Four Friends. Four Enemies. One morning while on alms rounds the Buddha gave a heap...
Learning Koryū Kenjutsu & Iaijutsu Traditionally
Narrow Minds Walk Narrow Paths
Narrow Minds Walk Narrow Paths There are a lot of martial arts to enjoy. There...
Playing With Sharp Swords
I have been saying it’s important to get training for using a sharp sword or...
Advance The Sword And Mind
No matter what, move. Advance. Unceasingly against whatever odds, internal or external, move towards the...
Attachment, Budo & Impermanence
It is worth a lot to be mindful of the ebb and flow of all...
Covid-19 Corona Virus And Martial Arts
Is Compassion Important In Martial Arts?
What is compassion? Compassion is a concern for the suffering or problems of others. The...
Seven Points For Learning Martial Arts
I am often thinking about how to learn bujutsu productively. The efficiency of body and...
Components of Iaido Iaijutsu
[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...
Learning Iaido Online: The Japanese Art of the Sword
Learning Iaido online is a wonderful challenge. Iaido or Iaijutsu can be deceptively simple in its...
Secrets of Swordsmanship: In-yō. Ying & Yang
I wanted to talk about IN-YŌ 陰陽, or more commonly known as yin & yang....
Too Many Martial Arts
The koryū of Japan are not self-defense arts. Although they can be authentic and certainly...
Practice
The car at the bottom of the hill needs a sustained gas pedal to move...
Saya no uchi
I train to strike correctly. I perform keiko to understand the angles of my sword....
Jealous Martial Artists
Martial artists should be aware of what can live in the shadow of righteousness; jealousy...
The Sword With Two Edges
Today I decided to write the four kanji compound of morohanotsurugi. In English, we might...
death budo
What have you been distracting yourself with while death is around the corner? Time is...
Bujutsu Centering
When practicing bujutsu we should always work on being centered. For non-practitioners, it is also...
Equanimity Of A Bushi
Under the big blue sky, Walk with purpose. せいしょうにへいほうす。青空をすたすた歩く。 Move towards your difficulties (or life...
Guilt and Responsibility
I heard a student say, “If I don’t do any kind of training every day,...
Speed, Martial Arts and Samurai Theater
What’s the difference between bugei 武芸 (martial arts) demonstrations and stunts? People are awed by...
Ranks, Respect, and Reverberations: Navigating Today’s Martial World
In the hallowed path of martial arts, the journey has always been as significant, if...
Mitorigeiko Special Practice
Present and switched on The method of critically watching practice is commonly referred to as...
What do I need to study bujutsu?
Learning a traditional bujutsu, koryu, or comprehensive martial art is best approached as a serious...
You With Sword In Hand, Calm Yourself
The mental issues involved with subscribing to someone you dislike, hate, have anger towards, desire...
Maai; Combative Space-timing
Teaching maai 間合い, the ideas of combative spacing and timing intervals in kenjutsu.
What Is A Good Senpai In Budō?
I have discussed teachers and students within martial arts. The senpai-kohai relationship is just as...
Duping The Gaijin – Martial Arts Fraud
Some Japanese schools or individuals wish to capitalize on the ignorance of non-Japanese martial artists...
Keishi ryu Iaijutsu
In 1888 the Tokyo Metropolitan Police department decided to cull various ryu-ha together to form...