The desire to destroy is within us all. We must overcome this urge to tear others down or damage someone's happiness. Whether it's intentional or negligence. As bugeisha (martial artist), it is crucial to suppress the urge to destroy. There is an undeniable pleasure in setting forth events of entropy that result in loss. The very waza we study are acts of destruction. We are hoping to inject entropy into the very will, movement and physicality of our opponent. Many of the actions within our waza, when applied to the opponent, are the correct course of action. Upsetting his focus, intention, will, and defusing his sword attack before it reaches us. Upsetting their balance. That is destroying correctly.
It is akin to fire. Though it can keep ourselves and those we care about warm, and safe, and be used for cooking food. Fire can also be used maliciously. If even not intent on harm, the careless use of it has serious consequences — the strength and power we acquire as martial artists need to be governed. Our physical actions, our mental actions, and our verbal actions shouldn't be used for wanton destruction.
I have witnessed it many times over from the low ranking to the high ranking. The need to destroy and cause problems is too hard to resist. Studying martial arts creates this sense of power. People begin walking around with dynamite in their pockets. It is undoubtedly not the study of martial arts intrinsically that does this. The budding martial artist usually has a psychological problem before training. It's the training and their teacher that ultimately exacerbates the already present issue. It is the immaturity of many so-called martial artists that want to destroy things. If you're going to wear the label of a martial artist, or you want to teach people, then you might want to consider how your actions play out in the world. You can't claim to be a high-level practitioner or anything if you're slinging insults and acting like a nincompoop.
Budō = Self-reflection
I am always thinking about how my actions are interpreted and how they have caused problems. I labor to understand myself better and not to repeat the same mistakes again and again. When I find that my carelessness has caused some destruction, I apologize and begin the hard work of changing myself for the better.
Our waza requires us to understand destruction, entropy, and the origins of the desire to cause injury to someone. Shouldn't we look at our behavior? From the simple act of commenting on Youtube or Facebook to the more egregious acts of committing physical violence to another person. We must be vigilant against veering unto the wrong path and if we are teachers, leading others to go down the same road.
Resist the urge to destroy. Keep the destruction in the waza.
What wholesome thing have you created today?
©2019 S.F.Radzikowski
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.
正月 Bujutsu New Years 2019
To all of you that have supported and also those that have caused trouble to...
Budo: The Culture of Destruction
The desire to destroy is within us all. We must overcome this urge to tear...
How to self-learn sword skills?
How to self-learn sword? A question that pops up in my communications frequently is, “How...
Is Studying Multiple Martial Arts Ok?
Many people study more than one martial art. There can be varied reasons, such as...
Mastering The Martial Arts and Basics
I will be talking about basics and mastery. Before I begin, I want to say...
When Protectors Become Perpetrators: Martial Arts Community Failures
Recently, a martial arts instructor (Budo Teacher) faced defamatory accusations in a public forum. A...
The Sword of Kamma
Within Shinkan-ryū are teachings to being responsible for our actions. Admitting fault of miss-actions or...
What is Koryū?
Japanese martial arts are usually defined in two groups. Pre-modern and modern. There are no...
Kata: Classical Japanese Samurai Training Method
Bujutsu Kata Training in martial arts can be done in different ways. One of the...
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...
Bujutsu Thoughts
Training in iaijutsu (or any bujutsu) means doing the same thing over and over and...
Munen Muso And Mushin The Warriors Mind
What is the difference between munen and mushin? These concepts outline the ideal mental state...
Happy New Year
From all of us at Shinkan-ryū Kenpō to you, Have a wonderful New Year Celebration....
Duping The Gaijin – Martial Arts Fraud
Some Japanese schools or individuals wish to capitalize on the ignorance of non-Japanese martial artists...
Narrow Minds Walk Narrow Paths
Narrow Minds Walk Narrow Paths There are a lot of martial arts to enjoy. There...
Jealous Martial Artists
Martial artists should be aware of what can live in the shadow of righteousness; jealousy...
Too Many Martial Arts
The koryū of Japan are not self-defense arts. Although they can be authentic and certainly...
On being human and a martial artist
It is difficult to wind through the brambles and thorns of life. It is impossible...
6 Years of Shinkan-ryū Kenpō
Last week marked the 6th year of Shinkan-ryū Kenpō. I want to thank the faithful...
Estás Involucrado en un Culto de Artes Marciales?
Recientemente tuve una conversación con alguien que se refirió a su escuela como una genuina...
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...
Bujutsu Thoughts Issin-furan
[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...