Blog Posts

Kore WA Hon ni Nai

2/6/2012

Feng Shui Amok

“Kore wa Hon ni nai” これは本にない “It’s not in the book”

This article is about Heijo Kyo, an ancient capitol modeled on China. Set to the cardinal points of the compass there are defining aspects much like feng shui that also as specific colors and mythological animals to guarantee an auspicious blessing on the location. Today many famous dojo names such as "Genbu" come from this concept.

North: Genbu: Turtle w/ Snake's Head
East: Seiryu: Blue Dragon
South: Suzaku: Red Peacock
West: Byakuko: White Tiger w/ Dog's Head

East meets West & the Teachable Moment

10/1/2011

The original Rembukan Dojo was my first true introduction to the fact that the Japanese taught and learned differently from how I had been taught growing up in an American styled karate dojo and within the American educational system.[1]

Lessons in Japan and at the Rembukan in particular were mostly non-verbal and aside from commands little dialogue was offered. It might not have mattered anyway as my Japanese language skills were virtually nonexistent! I admit that the lack of positive reinforcement was/is frustrating, especially in Jodo. But it was obvious that when Shimizu Sensei was present that the senior instructors had to intuit his intentions as he made almost inaudible sighs and grunts to communicate.[2]

Are We the 28th or 27th Generation of Muso? And Do We Need an Abacus to Figure This Out?

9/1/2011

Shimizu & Otafuji Sensei

In my article entitled “Rembukan Admittance” the text reads that Shimizu Sensei was counted as the 25th lineal descendant of that Ryu (Shindo Muso Ryu).

In Matsui Kenji’s new book published May 2011, "Jodo Uchidachi Nyumon - Entry to JODO" UchiDachi as an Invitation to Koryu) the topic of the genealogy is discussed on page 122. Matsui writes that from Muso Gonnosuke to Shiraishi Hanjiro (ONE GENERATION BEFORE SHIMIZU, OTOFUJI) there were 25 menkyo kaiden holders in the Densyo while also noting that the lineage is not always cooperative in being in a perfectly neat line. There are overlaps and gaps that leading to counting brother deshi as being part of the same generation. The fact is that there has always been ambiguity when counting the generations and this can lead to controversy.

You Don't Know "BU"

9/1/2011

I have always appreciated Kanji, otherwise known as ideograms and described as pictographs. Rich in texture, when beautifully executed the brush work is fine art. Indeed in Asia, calligraphy must be mastered before being considered an accomplished artist. Complex thoughts are expressed and the message often provides a deeper level of communication than a simple alphabetic symbol could achieve.

We know language is a vibrant living thing. Words are added. Others atrophy into disuse and fade away. Others have their original meanings hijacked and are known forever within a new context. I’m old enough to remember when the word “gay” meant happy but today it is used to describe a life style.

Was Musashi a Marketing Genius?

9/1/2011

Painting by Musashi

Musashi's life is being re-examined within a more historic and academic context today.

It is in vogue to look back on what is known of Musashi’s life and ask why he did not duel some of his more renowned contemporaries, men whom were also great swordsmen of the day?

One response to this question paints Musashi as a braggart that inflated his reputation allowing his followers to amplify his exploits as a devise for marketing. Certainly he had followers who were zealous protectors of his reputation that would do anything to perpetuate him.[1]

Picking Up A Stick

9/1/2011

Staff weapons according to Dwight Jon Zimmerman's The Book of Weapons, were among the "earliest weapons in history." We might probably take this for granted as well as the fact that blades would eventually be attached to make other weapons such as spears. It is interesting to note that quite commonly the staff or bo was very long, often in excess of 6 feet in length. Spears may have originated as early as 400,000 B.C.E.

In Japan, weapons have always been revered along with the symbols of the sacred mirror, sacred jewel and sacred sword symbolizing the creation myth of Japan. Zimmerman mentions the story of the "3 Great Spears" known as Otegine, Nihongo, and Tombogiri created by the legendary swordsmith Masozane and used by Honda Tadakatsu, a famous general and hero. It is interesting to note that "tombogiri" means to cut a dragonfly. Legend had it that the blade was so sharp that when a dragonfly landed on the blade the dragonfly was severed in half.

Tombo themes for flying straight & for victory

Genius with a Stick by Donn F. Draeger

9/1/2011

By Donn Draeger
Strength and Health Magazine
March 1962
Takaji Shimizu “world’s outstanding Exponent and teacher of Bojutsu
Summarized by Rick:

Donn Draeger & Shimizu Sensei

Use of resistance exercises of a weight nature which are important to the core of efficiency in Bojutsu
These resistance exercises were being performed long before the United States of America was born.
“…little indication that this gentleman is the most skilled and respected stick fighting expert known to the world”
“Bojutsu or Jodo ias it is sometimes referred to, is a system of defense and attack against armed or unarmed assailants…”
“Master Shimizu explains that Bojutsu training follows along traditional lines in which the student is expected to impose a lifetime of discipline voluntarily. By using the high repetition method, the mechanical process initially, is transformed into a reflex-action technique.”
“One of his (Shimizu) desires is for the art of Bojutsu to be transplanted hororably to the West”

About Rick Polland

9/1/2011

From left: Yuri, Rick, Kuroda S, Kaminoda S, Osato Sensei at Imperial Palace - Tokyo

Growing up in the Midwest I visited every dojo (all three (1-Judo, 1-Judo & Jujutsu, 1 Karate and Judo) in a city with over 1 million inhabitants and selected the karate dojo. They really didn't do judo. I studied "Kempo-Goju" karate, a made-up compilation though I didn't know it at the time.

In college and while teaching karate I met a judoka and policeman named Bruce Brown. He introduced me to Jodo, Tomiki Aikido, Iaido as well as Masaki Ryu. I began studying Jodo and Iai in earnest in 1974.

Myths Die Hard... Musashi Didn't Kill Kojiro - Part 2

9/1/2011

Dokkodo of Musahsi a famous as "Go Rin no Sho"

MUSASHI DID NOT KILL KOJIRO-PART 2 It can be instructive to select such a famous historic figure as Miyamoto Musashi and study both the facts and the folklore surrounding this swordsman. Doing this particular to Musashi is nothing new but I think we’ve found some new general information that brings a bit of clarity to the questions if not the answers…

Donn F. Draeger (August 2011)

8/1/2011

Donn’s official bio in part reads as follows: “…regular officer in the U.S. Marine Corps, is a research historian, author, and lecturer on Asian martial disciplines, in which he holds a large number of expert ranks and teaching licenses.” Donn also continued to try and create publications that had a broad public appeal for folks interested in budo from both an academic and practitioner’s vantage point. Donn resurrected Sir Richard Burton’s classification for the study of Hopology, the impact of martial arts on culture and truly dedicated his life to this pursuit. Today, his efforts still have a profound bearing on many of the folks that he intersected with.
Donn lived all over Asia and hobnobbed with some of the greatest martial artists of his day earning their respect and often gaining access to the intricacies of their own martial systems.

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