"There is a natural order to all things. The shape of the mind will lead to its obvious conclusion. East, West, North or South. Climbing Mt. Fuji will result in passing the summit. Walking further will result in meeting more peaks and valleys. There is much to enjoy and discover.”
~S.F Radzikowski
Forge Yourself Through True Budo
You can jump and twirl around and whip about your sword as quick as you...
Bushido Chūgi The code of Loyalty
Loyalty is one of the shining points in any list about the virtues important to...
How to self-learn sword skills?
How to self-learn sword? A question that pops up in my communications frequently is, “How...
Ranks, Respect, and Reverberations: Navigating Today’s Martial World
In the hallowed path of martial arts, the journey has always been as significant, if...
Waza: Quality or Quantity?
Waza Waza Everywhere In our respective martial arts systems, we learn many waza 技 (techniques)....
Mushin State of No Mind In Martial Arts
I would like to express my thoughts on the concept of mushin no shin —...
What is Kenjutsu? A guide to Japanese swordsmanship
Kenjutsu (剣術) is the Japanese art of the sword. It is one of the four...
The Sword With Two Edges
Today I decided to write the four kanji compound of morohanotsurugi. In English, we might...
Basic Head Strike Iaijutsu Kenjutsu
Good Posture = Efficient Movement A graphic I made for a student talking about the...
Too Many Martial Arts
The koryū of Japan are not self-defense arts. Although they can be authentic and certainly...
Reflections on 31 Years of Martial Arts and 8 Years of Shinkan-ryū Kenpō
不動心 (Fudōshin) – The Immovable Mind As I mark 31 years of practicing martial arts...
Are Combat Skill, Self Defense & Martial Art The Same?
Why make the distinction between martial art and combat skill? I believe that combat skills...
Shugyō and Keiko Martial Arts Practice
Practicing and Studying There are two main words used about practicing and learning in martial...
Shu-ha-ri Budo Learning
Ken Zen Ichi Nyo Sword & Zen Are One
剣禅一如 The sword and zen are one. The mind of zen is an important consideration...
Seven Points For Learning Martial Arts
I am often thinking about how to learn bujutsu productively. The efficiency of body and...
What is Koryū?
Japanese martial arts are usually defined in two groups. Pre-modern and modern. There are no...
How To Avoid Training Pitfalls In Martial Arts
Beware The Rabbit Holes. I want to talk about some pitfalls of martial arts training....
Son lo Mismo las Habilidades de Combate y las Artes Marciales?
Porqué hacer la diferencia entre arte marcial y habilidad de combate? Pienso que las habilidades...
A Very Budo Christmas Happy Holidays & New Year
Happy Holidays and Happy New Year to all of you that were kind and supported...
You With Sword In Hand, Calm Yourself
The mental issues involved with subscribing to someone you dislike, hate, have anger towards, desire...
Bushido: The Soul of Japan
The code of the samurai is always popping up in martial arts circles and popular...