This video describes basic hand grips (tenouchi) for using a katana (Japanese sword).
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 …
Nara period. 710-794
We shall begin with the Nara period. 710-794. Japan had recently changed its name from ‘wa’ to ‘Nihon’ in the previous Asuka period. …
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 …
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 …
Teaching maai 間合い, the ideas of combative spacing and timing intervals in kenjutsu.
When practicing bujutsu we should always work on being centered. For non-practitioners, it is also important to have a sense of center. Both types of …
Be thankful for your mistakes, failures, and blunders.
They are your own teacher reminding you of the middle and correct way.
Be mindful of your shortcomings. Just …
Timing while training alone is an important aspect to keep alive and well in the forefront of our minds. Please enjoy this video where I …
Within Shinkan-ryū are teachings to being responsible for our actions. Admitting fault of miss-actions or miss-deeds is essential. The gō-no-ken 業の剣 is the sword of …
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 in general) with a mind imbued with equanimity. This idea is …
You can jump and twirl around and whip about your sword as quick as you want. If you aren't applying grounded techniques with your body …
「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 …
Practice is life.
Life is practice.
Enjoy them together.
Enjoying morning keiko outdoors. The smell of plum blossom and sounds of the birds. The whistle of the sword …
Learning koryū and classical arts is much different than widespread modern arts like kendo and judo.
Demonstrations of unique iaijutsu and complimentary techniques between standing and sitting.
This is important to understand when practicing historical or classical martial arts. Although the sword is not part of everyday life and death struggle the …
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 does not begin and end when you pass through the dojo, or step on and off a mat. Practicing musha shugyo when you have …
Japanese Koryū Creator myths; becoming enlightened and making up a whole martial arts system.
Some martial arts in Japan have origin stories that borderline on the …