"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
Martial Arts Responsibility
As a martial arts instructor, or school, or especially if you’re representing an authentic Japanese...
Be Thankful.Be Earnest In Bujutsu & Life
Be thankful for your mistakes, failures, and blunders. They are your own teacher reminding you...
Mitorigeiko Special Practice
Present and switched on The method of critically watching practice is commonly referred to as...
The Mind According to Saito Yakuro of Shintō Munen Ryū 斎藤弥九郎神道無念流
「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...
Samurai F.A.Q
Are samurai still trained in Japan? Are there samurai schools? The short answer is, No.Samurai...
Martial Arts Cults & Lies
I once had an interaction with someone who referred to their school as a genuine...
A Lesson Of The Brush & Budō
Today during shodo practice I wrote this. Our minds as the top of...
Speed, Martial Arts and Samurai Theater
What’s the difference between bugei 武芸 (martial arts) demonstrations and stunts? People are awed by...
Unleash the Potential of Your Iaido Success
We’re diving deep into the art and discipline of Iaido, a journey that goes far...
Kesagiri: Anatomy of A Sword Strike
In Japanese swordsmanship, there have been many hundreds of schools. There are, however, only a...
The Samurai and unwavering loyalty
The Samurai have been portrayed in popular culture as noble and faithful warriors who strictly...
Is Compassion Important In Martial Arts?
What is compassion? Compassion is a concern for the suffering or problems of others. The...
What is true budo?
Studying the arts of fighting leads to peace. The pursuit of martial arts has one...
How To Avoid Training Pitfalls In Martial Arts
Beware The Rabbit Holes. I want to talk about some pitfalls of martial arts training....
True Budo Proper Conduct
True budo, real budo, is about being your authentic and true self. Those of us...
Rei – 礼 – Gratitude In Budo Training Life
Gratitude for our swords and training equipment, and those that made them. To our teachers...
Too Many Martial Arts
The koryū of Japan are not self-defense arts. Although they can be authentic and certainly...
Are Combat Skill, Self Defense & Martial Art The Same?
Why make the distinction between martial art and combat skill? I believe that combat skills...
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...
What does Bugei mean?
Bugei translates as Martial art, Military arts, or Arts of war. Bu 武 means warrior...
Shugyō and Keiko Martial Arts Practice
Practicing and Studying There are two main words used about practicing and learning in martial...
The Old Is Not Distant
This is important to understand when practicing historical or classical martial arts. Although the sword...