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.
Respect is a two way street in martial arts
Respect is a two-way street, however, how many people are driving recklessly? “If you want...
Katate Tsuki-One handed Thrust Iaijutsu
[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent="no" equal_height_columns="no" menu_anchor="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id="" background_color="" background_image="" background_position="center center" background_repeat="no-repeat" fade="no" background_parallax="none" parallax_speed="0.3"...
Cómo aprender Kenjutsu?
Aprender cualquier cosa tan profunda como un arte marcial requiere de un maestro. El kenjutsu,...
Playing With Sharp Swords
I have been saying it’s important to get training for using a sharp sword or...
What is Kenjutsu? A guide to Japanese swordsmanship
Kenjutsu (剣術) is the Japanese art of the sword. It is one of the four...
Martial Arts Breathing
The spirit of the sword is the breath. Breathing Physiology What’s so crucial about martial...
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...
Greed And Martial Arts
We must endeavor to cultivate generosity while looking at the roots of our greed. Removing...
Are Combat Skill, Self Defense & Martial Art The Same?
Why make the distinction between martial art and combat skill? I believe that combat skills...
Narrow Minds Walk Narrow Paths
Narrow Minds Walk Narrow Paths There are a lot of martial arts to enjoy. There...
The Sword With Two Edges
Today I decided to write the four kanji compound of morohanotsurugi. In English, we might...
Happy New Year
From all of us at Shinkan-ryū Kenpō to you, Have a wonderful New Year Celebration....
Budō Practice Is Everywhere
Practicing without many excuses not to is a good practice.
A Very Budo Christmas Happy Holidays & New Year
Happy Holidays and Happy New Year to all of you that were kind and supported...
Waza: Quality or Quantity?
Waza Waza Everywhere In our respective martial arts systems, we learn many waza 技 (techniques)....
What is true budo?
Studying the arts of fighting leads to peace. The pursuit of martial arts has one...
Four Enemies
Four Friends. Four Enemies. One morning while on alms rounds the Buddha gave a heap...
Guilt and Responsibility
I heard a student say, “If I don’t do any kind of training every day,...
Bushido: The Soul of Japan
The code of the samurai is always popping up in martial arts circles and popular...
Impermanence, The Mind, and the Truth
After every meditation session my teacher, with his eyes still closed, would softly speak in...
Basic Head Strike Iaijutsu Kenjutsu
Good Posture = Efficient Movement A graphic I made for a student talking about the...
Shu-ha-ri Budo Learning
Wisdom Martial Arts Keiko & Buddhism
For those that lack wisdom the way is difficult. It is best to consider the...
Four Enemies
Four Friends. Four Enemies. One morning while on alms rounds the Buddha gave a heap...
Playing With Sharp Swords
I have been saying it’s important to get training for using a sharp sword or...
Bushido: The Soul of Japan
The code of the samurai is always popping up in martial arts circles and popular...
The End of Training & Boredom In Martial Arts
Budō Is Limitless When does training end? When do we become a master? The short...
What Is A Good Senpai In Budō?
I have discussed teachers and students within martial arts. The senpai-kohai relationship is just as...
Shugyō and Keiko Martial Arts Practice
Practicing and Studying There are two main words used about practicing and learning in martial...
What does Bugei mean?
Bugei translates as Martial art, Military arts, or Arts of war. Bu 武 means warrior...
Budo Don’t
Don’t be in love with your weapon. Don’t be in love with your uniform. Don’t...
Cómo aprender Kenjutsu?
Aprender cualquier cosa tan profunda como un arte marcial requiere de un maestro. El kenjutsu,...
Sword Grip Tenouchi Iaido Video
This video describes basic hand grips (tenouchi) for using a katana (Japanese sword).
What is Koryū?
Japanese martial arts are usually defined in two groups. Pre-modern and modern. There are no...
Striking with the Katana: What is the Monouchi?
https://youtu.be/pXpzSBLGkbI
Dominando las Artes Marciales y las Bases
Hablaré acerca de bases y dominio. Antes de comenzar, quiero decir que usaré la palabra...
Martial Arts Creator Origin Myths of Japan
Japanese Koryū Creator myths; becoming enlightened and making up a whole martial arts system. Some...
A Disease of the Swordsman
The Sword and its study. Hesitation (doubt) is one of the four diseases in swordsmanship....
Kata: Classical Japanese Samurai Training Method
Bujutsu Kata Training in martial arts can be done in different ways. One of the...
Shu-ha-ri Budo Learning
Jealous Martial Artists
Martial artists should be aware of what can live in the shadow of righteousness; jealousy...
Basic Head Strike Iaijutsu Kenjutsu
Good Posture = Efficient Movement A graphic I made for a student talking about the...
Are Combat Skill, Self Defense & Martial Art The Same?
Why make the distinction between martial art and combat skill? I believe that combat skills...
What Value Is In Martial Arts Training?
Someone asked, “What value is there in martial arts training?” I reflected, what do I...