Teaching maai 間合い, the ideas of combative spacing and timing intervals in kenjutsu.
I wanted to talk about IN-YŌ 陰陽, or more commonly known as yin & yang. The concepts of yielding and solid, soft and strong, dark …
Budo values reflection and compassion. When these are not present it is hard to develop the heart and character for deeper study. The heart or …
This video describes basic hand grips (tenouchi) for using a katana (Japanese sword).
Are samurai still trained in Japan? Are there samurai schools? The short answer is, No.Samurai were a caste or class in a social system in …
Martial artists should be aware of what can live in the shadow of righteousness; jealousy is a subtle thing. It can ruin our practice and …
「武は戈を止むるの義なれば少しも争心あるべからず」斎藤弥九郎神道無念流練兵館
斎藤弥九郎
Saito Yakuro, Shindō Munen Ryu instructor of the famous Renpeikan in Edo once said that the character for bu in budō 武道 is made …
I have been saying it's important to get training for using a sharp sword or any dangerous weapon. I and some other people have been …
Why make the distinction between martial art and combat skill? I believe that combat skills require a different paradigm of training than that of traditional …
Studying the arts of fighting leads to peace.
The pursuit of martial arts has one real goal, the betterment of ourselves and society through personal development …
Someone asked, “What value is there in martial arts training?”
I reflected, what do I value in martial arts? Why do we practice? I have been …
I have discussed teachers and students within martial arts. The senpai-kohai relationship is just as meaningful as the teacher and student. A bad teacher will …
It is difficult to wind through the brambles and thorns of life. It is impossible to escape from the drawing of blood, both metaphorically and …
Maai 間合い
Combative spacing or maai is important to investigate early on and come to understand. In weapons combat it is essential. Although at some point …
Narrow Minds Walk Narrow Paths
There are a lot of martial arts to enjoy. There are many good teachers out there of varying degrees of knowledge. …
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 …
We must endeavor to cultivate generosity while looking at the roots of our greed. Removing greed will allow our martial arts to flourish and blossom.
There …
The spirit of the sword is the breath.
Breathing Physiology
What's so crucial about martial arts breathing or just plain old breathing? How do we breathe in …
In the dojo, when I hear a student offer excuses to a teacher, I can only think that that student is unteachable or at the …
Be honest.
Move with the truth and discard the lies and false facades. Leave them behind like the summer cicada their husk. There is a chance …
What have you been distracting yourself with while death is around the corner? Time is fleeting, and there is much to learn and do. Practice …
We should not let our mind or body or sword become contorted or controlled by the opponent. In the photo the opponent blocks. We must …